Iris Murdoch - The Book And The Brotherhood

Tamar, leaned over by the tall American, stepped back a little and cast an almost flirtatious glance in the direction of Father McAlister. They had not attempted to approach each other. The priest, looking grave, made a very faint movement of his head and eyes, as he had done to Gideon in Violet's flat, in the direction of her mother.

Francis Reckitt was now telling Rose that Neville, whom he had admired, had decided to go into Parliament. 'He's a radical, you see,' Francis, a little drunk, kept repeating.

Gideon was saying to Reeve, 'It's quite easy really, you get some dry white wine and mix it with bitters and not too little rum and some white port and pile in the peel of the tangerines.'

Violet, who had drunk quite a lot of the tangerine mixture, had decided it was time for her to go upstairs and rejoin the dark figure who waited for her up there, herself. She was alone for the moment leaning against a wall, looking about with an assumed air of amused contempt. Leonard Fairfax, who of course knew 'all about it', was feeling it was his duty to go and talk to her. He was forestalled however by Father McAlister. The priest, with a flurry of dark skirt, as if he had just noticed Violet, advanced. He took hold of her hand and held it, while uttering a flow of talk. Tamar watched this. The priest had, in all their encounters, never touched Tamar except at their first meeting and at the rite of baptism. This had impressed her. She watched his hand holding her mother's, wondering how long it would last. How handsome he looks today, she thought, perhaps he can put on handsomeness when he wants to! Gideon, looking over the shoulder of Rose, to whom he was now talking, also saw the hand-holding, and thought about animal magnetism. Gideon couldn't quite make Father McAlister out – a cynical fake, a charlatan, a mad saint or what? He's certainly a wizard, thought Gideon, I'll keep him around, he could be useful.

`Rose, don't go, I want to tell you my new idea, a Tamargesellschaft!'

`A what?'

`I met Joel Kowitz in New York, we were talking about Crimond's book, and I thought, well now that's over, why not let's have a regular whip-round for Tamar, to see her through Oxford, Joel said he'd contribute, she can't live on that grant, she must have money to travel, to sail to Byzantium -'

`Oh I'll join,' said Rose, 'she must – yes – sail -'

Gideon, happy, was at his prettiest in a strawberry pink shirt, his dark curly hair cut short, shining with bronze and golden lights, his girlish complexion glowing with health and youth, his finely manicured fingers moving appreciatively over his delicately flushed cheeks and exquisitely smooth chin. He looked as young as his tall athletic son.

There was a sudden commotion near the door, laughter and something like a cheer. Lily had arrived accompanied by Gulliver Ashe. Lily, dressed in blue silk trousers and a golden jacket, was explaining to Conrad, and now to Gideon who had pushed his way towards her that, yes, Gull was back and he'd got a job, he'd met a man. 'Oh Rose, Rose, dear, he's back, tie's back, it's all all right, I was such a misery about it, I'm so sorry, but everything is all right now!'

Rose kissed her and held her hot clutching hands, she kissed Gull. So Lily had got her man back after all.

`Rose, we're going to get married.'

`Oh, I'm so glad!'

`They're going to get married,' shouted Gideon.

Tears were in Lily's eyes. Tears flooded into Rose's eyes. Others pressed forward and she stepped back still sidling toward the door. Suddenly Reeve and Neville and Gillian were beside her. 'What's that about?' said Gillian.

`We haven't fixed about tomorrow,' said Reeve. 'We're off too actually, we'll take you.'

`They're going to get married,' said Rose, 'I always hoped they would.' Fumbling for her handkerchief she couldn't stop the tears. She said to Reeve, `Oh, it's so touching, I'm so happy for them!' She felt, thinking of their joy, such a great shaft of sorrow which came down on her as if she had been struck from above, she almost reeled, she dropped her handbag. She had found her handkerchief and put it to her mouth.

Reeve held on to her, Gillian picked up her bag, and Neville patted her shoulder. 'Here's a map,' said Reeve, 'I've written it all down. We'll meet you at the flat at twelve thirty, and then we can have lunch after. Gillian, put it into Rose's bag.'

It was at that moment that Gerard appeared. The triumphant rout surrounding Gull and Lily had moved further into the room, leaving Rose at the doorway surrounded by her family. For a second Gerard found himself confronted by the Curtland phalanx.

He had left his coat outside near the front door and was neat in a dark suit, but he looked to Rose's eye very strange, very tired, a little mad. His hair hung in limp ringlets, his mouth drooped sulkily, his face looked puffy and soft, his glittering blue eyes glared down almost fiercely upon the group before him. At the next second all was adjusted. Reeve removed his hand from Rose's arm, Neville his from her shoulder, Gillian handed her her handbag into which she had thrust the instructions for tomorrow. Gerard's face reorganised itself into its usual set of hard surfaces and expression of pensive irony, and then relapsed into his usual inane disconcerting grin. They all moved out into the hall.

`Hello, Reeve,' said Gerard. 'What a row in there!'

Reeve, rather formal, said, 'How nice to see you. These are my children Neville and Gillian. I think it's some years since you've met them.'

`They've certainly grown!' said Gerard. 'Glad to meet you.' He held out his hand to Gillian, then to Neville. The children murmured something gracious.

`Well, we're off,' said Reeve. He turned to Rose. 'Can we drop you where you're going?'

`No, thanks, I can walk. I just want a word with Gerard.'

`See you tomorrow then.'

`Yes, tomorrow,' said Rose.

Neville, who had been smiling subtly throughout this encounter, said, 'We'll take you to Yorkshire.'

With waves they receded, leaving Rose and Gerard beside, now outside, the drawing room door. These two stood in silence not looking at each other while Reeve and his offspring disappeared into the dining room to find their coats. They emerged, looked back, waved again, and vanished through the front door.

Gerard said to Rose politely, 'Can I get you a taxi for your next appointment?'

`I have no appointment,' said Rose. She felt she was going to cry again, and walked past him to the dining room, picked up her coat, came out and began to put it on. Gerard helped her on with her coat.

Rose said, moving towards the front door, 'Goodbye then. By the way, Gull and Lily are getting married. They're in there.'

Leonard Fairfax came skidding out of the drawing room holding a glass which he put into Gerard's hand. He hail adored Gerard all his life. 'I thought I heard your voice. I've been panting to see you.' Leonard resembled his father, wide the same close-curling hair and pretty red-lipped mouth, but was taller and thinner.

`Hello, faun,' said Gerard. 'So you're going to the Courtauld, I'm so glad.'

‘Just off, Rose?' said Leonard. 'Lovely to see you. Violet ha- gone upstairs with your parson!'

`Thanks so much,' said Rose. She opened the door. The new art nouveau lantern which Pat had installed illuminated the steps.

Gerard handed the glass back to Leonard. `I'm just going to see Rose along.' He picked up his coat which he had thrown down in a corner by the door.

`Don't be long!' Leonard shouted after him. 'Dad wants to see you. Peter Manson's coming, he rang up looking for you, And I want to fix lunch with you tomorrow!'

Rose and Gerard walked away along the road. A slight unconvincing rain was falling, slanted by the east wind Rose began to cry again, silently, covertly into her hand- kerchief.