Bob sank down on his haunches, nosed his ball slowly and slowly nearer the edge. As he finally bunted it over he sprang to his feet in great excitement. The ball bumped slowly down the stairs. Charles caught it and tossed it up to him. Bob caught it neatly in his mouth. The performance was repeated.
‘Regular game of his, this,’ said Charles.
Emily Arundell smiled.
‘He’ll go on for hours,’ she said.
She turned into the drawing-room and Charles followed her. Bob gave a disappointed bark.
Glancing through the window Charles said:
‘Look at Theresa and her young man. They are an odd couple!’
‘You think Theresa is really serious over[31] this?’
‘Oh, she’s crazy about him!’ said Charles with confidence. ‘Odd taste, but there it is. I think it must be the way he looks at her as though she were a scientific specimen and not a live woman. That’s rather a novelty for Theresa. Pity the fellow’s so poor. Theresa’s got expensive tastes.’
Miss Arundell said drily:
‘I’ve no doubt she can change her way of living—if she wants to! And after all she has her own income.’
‘Eh? Oh yes, yes, of course.’
Charles shot an almost guilty look at her.
That evening, as the others were assembled in the drawing-room waiting to go in to dinner, there was a scurry and a burst of profanity on the stairs. Charles entered with his face rather red.
‘Sorry, Aunt Emily, am I late? That dog of yours nearly made me take the most frightful toss. He’d left that ball of his on the top of the stairs.’
‘Careless little doggie,’ cried Miss Lawson, bending down to Bob.
Bob looked at her contemptuously and turned his head away.
‘I know,’ said Miss Arundell. ‘It’s most dangerous. Minnie, fetch the ball and put it away.’
Miss Lawson hurried out.
Dr Tanios monopolized the conversation at the dinner-table most of the time. He told amusing stories of his life in Smyrna.
The party went to bed early. Miss Lawson carrying wool, spectacles, a large velvet bag and a book accompanied her employer to her bedroom chattering happily.
‘Really most amusing, Dr Tanios. He is such good company! Not that I should care for that kind of life myself… One would have to[32] boil the water, I expect… And goat’s milk, perhaps—such a disagreeable taste—’
Miss Arundell snapped:
‘Don’t be a fool, Minnie. You told Ellen to call me at half-past six?’
‘Oh, yes, Miss Arundell. I said no tea, but don’t you think it might be wiser—You know, the vicar at Southbridge—a most conscientious man, told me distinctly that there was no obligation to come fasting—’
Once more Miss Arundell cut her short[33].
‘I’ve never yet taken anything before Early Service and I’m not going to begin now. You can do as you like.’
‘Oh, no—I didn’t mean—I’m sure—’
Miss Lawson was flustered and upset.
‘Take Bob’s collar off,’ said Miss Arundell.
The slave hastened to obey.
Still trying to please she said:
‘Such a pleasant evening. They all seem so pleased to be here.’
‘Hmph,’ said Emily Arundell. ‘All here for what they can get.’
‘Oh, dear Miss Arundell—’
‘My good Minnie, I’m not a fool whatever else I am! I just wonder which of them will open the subject first.’
She was not long left in doubt on that point. She and Miss Lawson returned from attending Early Service just after nine. Dr and Mrs Tanios were in the dining-room, but there were no signs of the two Arundells. After breakfast, when the others had left, Miss Arundell sat on, entering up some accounts in a little book.
Charles entered the room about ten.
‘Sorry I’m late, Aunt Emily. But Theresa’s worse. She’s not unclosed an eyelid yet.’
‘At half-past ten breakfast will be cleared away,’ said Miss Arundell. ‘I know it is the fashion not to consider servants nowadays, but that is not the case in my house.’
‘Good. That’s the true diehard spirit!’
Charles helped himself to kidneys and sat down beside her.
His grin, as always, was very attractive. Emily Arundell soon found herself smiling indulgently at him. Emboldened by this sign of favour, Charles plunged.
‘Look here, Aunt Emily, sorry to bother you, but I’m in the devil of a hole[34]. Can you possibly help me out? A hundred would do it.’
His aunt’s face was not encouraging. A certain grimness showed itself in her expression.
Emily Arundell was not afraid of speaking her mind[35]. She spoke it.
Miss Lawson hustling across the hall almost collided with Charles as he left the dining-room. She glanced at him curiously. She entered the dining-room to find Miss Arundell sitting very upright with a flushed face.
CHAPTER 2. The Relations
Charles ran lightly up the stairs and tapped on his sister’s door. Her answering ‘Come in’ came promptly and he entered.
Theresa was sitting up in bed yawning.
Charles took a seat on the bed.
‘What a decorative female you are, Theresa,’ he remarked appreciatively.
Theresa said sharply:
‘What’s the matter?’
Charles grinned.
‘Sharp, aren’t you? Well, I stole a march on you[36], my girl! Thought I’d make my touch before you got to work.’
‘Well?’
Charles spread his hands downwards in negation.
‘Nothing doing[37]! Aunt Emily ticked me off[38] good and proper[39]. She intimated that she was under no illusions as to why her affectionate family had gathered round her! And she also intimated that the said affectionate family would be disappointed. Nothing being handed out but affection—and not so much of that.’
‘You might have waited a bit,’ said Theresa drily.
Charles grinned again.
‘I was afraid you or Tanios might get in ahead of me. I’m sadly afraid, Theresa my sweet, that there’ll be nothing doing this time. Old Emily is by no means[40] a fool.’
‘I never thought she was.’
‘I even tried to put the wind up[41] her.’
‘What d’you mean?’ asked his sister sharply.
‘Told her she was going about it the right way to get bumped off[42]. After all she can’t take the dibs to heaven with her. Why not loosen up a bit?’
‘Charles, you are a fool!’
‘No, I’m not. I’m a bit of a psychologist in my way. It’s never a bit of good sucking up to the old girl[43]. She much prefers you to stand up to her[44]. And after all, I was only talking sense[45]. We get the money when she dies—she might just as well part with a little beforehand! Otherwise the temptation to help her out of the way might become overwhelming.’
‘Did she see your point[46]?’ asked Theresa, her delicate mouth curling up scornfully.
‘I’m not sure. She didn’t admit it. Just thanked me rather nastily for my advice and said she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. “Well,” I said, “I’ve warned you.” “I’ll remember it,” she said.’
Theresa said angrily:
‘Really, Charles, you are an utter fool.’
‘Damn it all, Theresa, I was a bit ratty myself! The old girl’s rolling[47]—simply rolling. I bet she doesn’t spend a tenth part of her income—what has she got to spend it on, anyway? And here we are—young, able to enjoy life—and to spite us she’s capable of living to a hundred… I want my fun now… So do you…’