But thats not appropriate at all, Charles said crossly.
Your mother would find it so. A smile seemed to gleam through the roundness of spectacles.
Im not talking about my mothers feelings about my father, Charles Wallace scolded. Im talking about Mrs Buncombes sheets.
The little woman sighed. The enormous glasses caught the light again and shone like an owls eyes. In case we need ghosts, of course, she said. I should think youd have guessed. If we have to frighten anybody away Whatsit thought we ought to do it appropriately. Thats why its so much fun to stay in a haunted house. But we really didnt mean you to know about the sheets. Auf frischer Tat ertappt. German. In flagrante delicto. Latin. Caught in the act. English. As I was saying
But Charles Wallace held up his hand in a peremptory gesture. Mrs Who, do you know this boy?
Calvin bowed. Good afternoon, Maam. I didnt quite catch your name.
Mrs Who will do, the woman said. He wasnt my idea, Charlsie, but I think hes a good one.
Wheres Mrs Whatsit? Charles asked.
Shes busy. Its getting near time, Charlsie, getting near time. Ab honesto virum bonum nihil deterret. Seneca. Nothing deters a good man from doing what is honourable. And hes a very good man, Charlsie, darling, but right now he needs our help.
Who? Meg demanded.
And little Megsie! Lovely to meet you, sweetheart. Your father, of course. Now go home, loves. The time is not yet ripe. Dont worry, we wont go without you. Get plenty of food and rest. Feed Calvin up. Now, off with you! Justitiae soror fides. Latin again, of course. Faith is the sister of justice. Trust in us! Now, shoo! And she fluttered up from her chair and pushed them out of the door with surprising power.
Charles, Meg said. I dont understand.
Charles took her by the hand and dragged her away from the house. Fortinbras ran on ahead, and Calvin was close behind them. No, he said, I dont either, yet. Not quite. Ill tell you what I know as soon as I can. But you saw Fort, didnt you? Not a growl. Not a quiver. Just as though there werent anything strange about it. So you know its okay. Look, do me a favour, both of you. Lets not talk about it till weve had something to eat. I need fuel so I can sort things out and assimilate them properly.
Lead on, moron, Calvin cried gaily. Ive never even seen your house, and I have the funniest feeling that for the first time in my life Im going home.
3
In the forest evening was already beginning to fall, and they walked in silence. Charles and Fortinbras gambolled on ahead. Calvin walked with Meg, his fingers barely touching her arm in a protective gesture.
This has been the most impossible, the most confusing afternoon of my life, she thought, yet I dont feel confused or upset any more; I only feel happy. Why?
Maybe we werent meant to meet before this, Calvin said. I mean, I knew who you were in school and everything, but I didnt know you. But Im glad weve met now, Meg. Were going to be friends, you know.
Im glad, too, Meg whispered, and they were silent again.
When they got back to the house Mrs Murry was still in the lab. She was watching a pale blue fluid move slowly through a tube from a beaker to a retort. Over a Bunsen burner bubbled a big, earthenware dish of stew. Dont tell Sandy and Dennys Im cooking out here, she said. Theyre always suspicious that a few chemicals may get in with the meat, but I had an experiment I wanted to stay with.
This is Calvin OKeefe, Mother, Meg said. Is there enough for him, too? It smells super.
Hello, Calvin, Mrs Murry shook hands with him. Nice to meet you. We arent having anything but stew tonight, but its a good thick one.
Sounds wonderful to me, Calvin said. May I use your phone so my motherll know where I am?
Of course. Show him where it is, will you, please, Meg? I wont ask you to use the one out here, if you dont mind. Id like to finish up this experiment.
Meg led the way into the house. Charles Wallace and Fortinbras had gone off. Out of doors she could hear Sandy and Dennys hammering at the fort they were building up in one of the maples. This way. Meg went through the kitchen and into the living-room.
I dont know why I call her when I dont come home, Calvin said, his voice bitter. She wouldnt notice. He sighed and dialled. Ma? he said. Oh, Hinky. Tell Ma I wont be home till late. Now dont forget. I dont want to be locked out again. He hung up, looked at Meg. Do you know how lucky you are?
She smiled rather wryly. Not most of the time.
A mother like that! A house like this! Gee, your mothers gorgeous! You should see my mother. She had all her upper teeth out and Pop got her a plate but she wont wear it, and most days she doesnt even comb her hair. Not that it makes much difference when she does. He clenched his fists. But I love her. Thats the funny part of it. I love them all, and they dont give a hoot about me. Maybe thats why I call when Im not going to be home. Because I care. Nobody else does. You dont know how lucky you are to be loved.
Meg said in a startled way, I guess I never thought of that. I guess I just took it for granted.
Calvin looked sombre; then his enormous smile lit up his face again. Things are going to happen, Meg! Good things! I feel it! He began wandering, still slowly, round the pleasant, if shabby, living-room. He stopped before a picture on the piano of a small group of men standing together on a beach. Whos this?
Oh, a bunch of scientists.
Where?
Meg went over to the picture. Cape Canaveral. This ones father.
Which?
Here.
The one with glasses?
Yup. The one who needs a haircut. Meg giggled, forgetting her worries in her pleasure at showing Calvin the picture. His hairs sort of the same colour as mine, and he keeps forgetting to have it cut. Mother usually ends up doing it for him she bought clippers and stuff because he wont take the time to go to the barber.
Calvin studied the picture. I like him, he announced judiciously. Looks kind of like Charles Wallace, doesnt he?
Meg laughed again. When Charles was a baby he looked exactly like father. It was really funny.
Calvin continued to look at the picture. Hes not handsome or anything. But I like him.
Meg was indignant. He is too handsome.
Calvin shook his head. Nah. Hes tall and skinny like me.
Well, I think youre handsome, Meg said. Fathers eyes are kind of like yours, too. You know. Really blue. Only you dont notice his as much because of the glasses.
Where is he now?
Meg stiffened. But she didnt have to answer because the door from lab to kitchen slammed, and Mrs Murry came in, carrying a dish of stew. Now, she called, Ill finish this up properly on the stove. Have you done your homework, Meg?
Not quite, Meg said, going back into the kitchen.
Then Im sure Calvin wont mind if you finish before dinner.
Sure, go ahead. Calvin fished in his pocket and pulled out a wad of folded paper. As a matter of fact I have some junk of mine to finish up. Math. Thats the one thing I have a hard time keeping up in. Im okay on anything to do with words, but I dont do as well with numbers.
Mrs Murry smiled. Why dont you get Meg to help you?
But, see, Im several grades above Meg.
Try asking her to help you with your math, anyhow, Mrs Murry suggested.