Henry Green - Loving

'Doesn't this sink make your back ache,' Edith remarked. 'But there,' she said, 'I expect her nephew on his way over is bringing a big change in Mrs Welch. I shouldn't be surprised if she didn't have him on account of the bombing. Isn't it dreadful?'

The war's on now all right,' Kate said, 'and do these rotten Irish care? They make me sick.'

'What's the Irish got to do with it?' Jane asked. 'They're out aren't they? If they mean to stay out who's to blame 'em?'

'If it wasn't for the children the little angels I wouldn't ever remain. I couldn't really,' Edith announced. 'Look I'm going to dry, my back's broke. I could worship the ground they walks on. They're real little ladies. And how Mrs Jack dresses them. They've got everything so nice. I cherish those kids.'

'Well they're goin' to have a boy to keep 'em company now,' Kate said with malice. 'Very nice too and so they should,' she added.

'But what will Miss Swift say to that?' asked Edith.

'Oh that's O. K.,' Mary said, 'Miss Swift she come down to have a chat and Jane and me gets out of the light thinking there will be ructions but not a sound come past that closed door not one. We stayed here to see too didn't we love?' she said to Jane. Then in the end they both came through proper buddies, Mrs Welch seein'

'er out as pleasant as you please and her saying "well I hope the air will do him good. It's like this with children Mrs Welch," she says. "One and all they're better for a change," she says. I was that surprised.'

There now I'm very glad,' said Edith, 'I am, honest.'

'Now you girls hurry with that washing up,' said the dreadful voice, 'oh, I see you've some help. There's quite a change come over this house I must admit. And don't you start a'wagging of those light tongues. But would you two young ladies like a glass of milk?'

It was Mrs Welch. It was almost unheard of that she should offer refreshment. Kate and Edith could only giggle.

'Mary,' she went on, 'you run and fetch that pitcher from the larder. What I've said over and over is at the age you are you girls don't get sufficient milk. My sister writes it's short enough at home.'

'Might it be your sister's little boy who is coming to visit, Mrs Welch?'

That's so Edith and his name is Albert, same as that Raunce's sick lad. One name less for Mrs T. to remember. And if he had been christened Arthur we wouldn't understand what to think would we? All the men in this place having to be of the same name, whoever heard of such stuff and nonsense.'

They laughed. Then when Edith and Kate had had their milk these two girls judged it best to be gone.

'You can't be sure of her, love,' Edith said as they made their way up the back stairs. 'We did leave a bit for them yet but I'm positive she meant us to go really, calling us young ladies did you hear? You know what she is.'

That's O. K. Edie an' if there were a few plates over it's not our work anyway. I got those sheets from the Gold Bedroom to mend. I wish the people they have to stay would cut their toenails or lie quiet one or the other.'

'Hush dear they'll hear,' Edith said and then went on: 'But have you ever seen such a change in anyone? Why she made herself quite pleasant.'

'Well what if she did the old nanny goat…'

'Hush love.'

'With that great beard she's got…'

'Oh Kate you are dreadful you are really. But do be careful, anyone could hear.'

'It's Miss Burch's afternoon out isn't it? Besides who would there be to come our way worse luck.' They had arrived at the door of their room. Kate flung it open. 'There,' she cried, 'look at the great boy you've got waiting inside.'

'What you don't mean Bert wouldn't presume,' said Edith going in. 'Why Kate you are silly there's no one. No,' she went on sitting down on her bed to take off shoes and stockings, 'it's her nephew coming over has softened 'er, that's what it is, love.'

Kate got down by Edith on her bed.

'What would you have said Edie if Bert had been in 'ere?'

'Why I'd've sent him packin'.'

'Would you Edie? Even if I hadn't been along?'

'How d'you mean? Kate, I never heard you speak so.'

Both girls giggled. The sky was overcast so that the light was dark as though under water. The afternoon was warm. It was the first afternoon to be warm since autumn. Though they could not see them the peacocks below were beginning to parade.

'And if it had've been Charley Edie?'

Edith gave a screech then slapped a hand over her mouth. A peacock screamed beneath but they were so used to this they paid no notice.

'Kate Armstrong what d'you mean?'

'What I say stupid. Suppose you was come alone up here,' and her voice went rising, 'and found 'im waitin' on yer bed,' she ended, with a shriek of bed.

Both gave way at this, collapsed back across the eiderdown giggling. Edith pulled herself together first. 'No,' she said, for land's sake have a mind to the quilting. Come on,' she added, 'we might as well be comfy' and they both got underneath, lay at ease with pillowed heads.

'Suppose it was Charley,' Kate said again.

'Why I daresn't even look at the man with his queer eyes. Each time I have sight of 'em I can't stop laughing,' Edith said. 'And the strange thing is I didn't ever properly take it in that they was a different colour till the other day. Not after two years and five months here, not till just the other day,' she added.

'You watch out Edie that's a sign.'

'A sign? A sign of what, I'd like to know?' she asked.

'Ah now you're asking,' Kate said. 'I wonder is she married or was she ever d'you reckon?'

'No dear she's only called Mrs like all cooks if you're referrin' to Mrs Welch. Whatever made you say?'

'Why nothing. But I wish he was goin' to be older that's all.'

'Kate I'm getting too hot.'

'Take off some of your clothes then silly. Come on with you I'll help.'

'Quiet. There's Mrs Jack's stockings I've got to go over.'

'If you lie on your buttons I can't undo 'em at the back can I?' Kate said. Then she tickled Edith to make her shift.

'Mercy stop it,' Edith screamed. 'Whatever are you doin'?'

'You said you was too warm. And struggling like you are will only make you warmer. There.'

'Kate Armstrong I thought I asked you. It tickles. Why you aren't pulling the dress off my back surely? Whatever are you at?'

But she made it easier for Kate by moving her body here and there as was required.

'It's only your old uniform,' Kate said and soon Edith was lying almost naked.

'I'll stroke you dear if you like,' Kate said. 'Shut your eyes now.'

'I ought to be going over those silk stockings.'

'If you don't take good care I'll run over you like you was an old pair Edie and darn you in all sorts of places you wouldn't think.'

They giggled in shrieks again at this then quietened down. Kate began to stroke up and down the inside of Edith's arm from the hollow of her elbow to the wrist. Edith lay still with closed eyes. The room was dark as long weed in the lake.

'What if it had been Charley?' Kate asked.

'Why d'you want to go on at me about him?'

'But supposin' it was Edie?'

'Well how would you have acted?' said Edith.

'Me? He would never've had to ask me twice. Not the way I am these days.'

'Oh Kate you are dreadful.' But Edith's voice was low. Kate's stroking was beginning to make her drowse.

Then there was a real outcry from the peacocks. Kate slipped out of bed to look. She saw Mrs Jack walking down the drive far beneath with Captain Davenport who was pushing his bike.

'What is it?' Edith asked.

'Just those two again.' Then Edith got up to look. The girls blocked their window, made night in the room.

'What two?' Edith said her back to the darkness. And answered herself. 'Oh Mrs Jack and the Captain. But won't the children be disappointed. I know they was counting on their mother taking them out the little loves.'