Endless Night

AgathaChristie
EndlessNight
ToNoraPrichardfromwhomIfirstheardthelegendofGipsy’sAcre
EveryNightandeveryMornSometoMiseryareborn.EveryMornandeveryNightSomeareborntoSweetDelight,SomeareborntoSweetDelight,SomeareborntoEndlessNight,
WilliamBlakeAuguriesofInnocence
Contents
Cover
TitlePage
Dedication
Epigraph
BookOne
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
BookTwo
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
BookThree
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-one
ChapterTwenty-two
ChapterTwenty-three
ChapterTwenty-four
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
BOOKONE
One
Inmyendismybeginning…That’saquotationI’veoftenheardpeoplesay.Itsoundsallright—butwhatdoesitreallymean?
Isthereeveranyparticularspotwhereonecanputone’sfingerandsay:“Itallbeganthatday,atsuchatimeandsuchaplace,withsuchanincident?”
Didmystorybegin,perhaps,whenInoticedtheSaleBillhangingonthewalloftheGeorgeandDragon,announcingSalebyAuctionofthatvaluableproperty“TheTowers,”andgivingparticularsoftheacreage,themilesandfurlongs,andthehighlyidealizedportraitof“TheTowers”asitmighthavebeenperhapsinitsprime,anythingfromeightytoahundredyearsago?
Iwasdoingnothingparticular,juststrollingalongthemainstreetofKingstonBishop,aplaceofnoimportancewhatever,killingtime.InoticedtheSaleBill.Why?Fateuptoitsdirtywork?Ordealingoutitsgoldenhandshakeofgoodfortune?Youcanlookatiteitherway.
Oryoucouldsay,perhaps,thatitallhaditsbeginningswhenImetSantonix,duringthetalksIhadwithhim;Icanclosemyeyesandsee:hisflushedcheeks,theover-brillianteyes,andthemovementofthestrongyetdelicatehandthatsketchedanddrewplansandelevationsofhouses.Onehouseinparticular,abeautifulhouse,ahousethatwouldbewonderfultoown!
Mylongingforahouse,afineandbeautifulhouse,suchahouseasIcouldneverhopetohave,floweredintolifethen.Itwasahappyfantasysharedbetweenus,thehousethatSantonixwouldbuildforme—ifhelastedlongenough….
AhousethatinmydreamsIwouldliveinwiththegirlthatIloved,ahouseinwhichjustlikeachild’ssillyfairystoryweshouldlivetogether“happyeverafterwards.”Allpurefantasy,allnonsense,butitstartedthattideoflonginginme.LongingforsomethingIwasneverlikelytohave.
Orifthisisalovestory—anditisalovestory,Iswear—thenwhynotbeginwhereIfirstcaughtsightofElliestandinginthedarkfirtreesofGipsy’sAcre?
Gipsy’sAcre.Yes,perhapsI’dbetterbeginthere,atthemomentwhenIturnedawayfromtheSaleboardwithalittleshiverbecauseablackcloudhadcomeoverthesun,andaskedaquestioncarelesslyenoughofoneofthelocals,whowasclippingahedgeinadesultoryfashionnearby.
“What’sthishouse,TheTowers,like?”
Icanstillseethequeerfaceoftheoldman,ashelookedatmesidewaysandsaid:
“That’snotwhatuscallsithere.Whatsortofanameisthat?”Hesnorteddisapproval.“It’smanyayearnowsincefolkslivedinitandcalleditTheTowers.”Hesnortedagain.
Iaskedhimthenwhathecalledit,andagainhiseyesshiftedawayfrommeinhisoldwrinkledfaceinthatqueerwaycountryfolkhaveofnotspeakingtoyoudirect,lookingoveryourshoulderorroundthecorner,asitwere,asthoughtheysawsomethingyoudidn’t;andhesaid:
“It’scalledhereaboutsGipsy’sAcre.”
“Whyisitcalledthat?”Iasked.
“Somesortofatale.Idunnorightly.Onesaysonething,onesaysanother.”Andthenhewenton,“Anyway,it’swheretheaccidentstakeplace.”
“Caraccidents?”
“Allkindsofaccidents.Caraccidentsmainlynowadays.It’sanastycornerthere,yousee.”
“Well,”Isaid,“ifit’sanastycurve,Icanwellseetheremightbeaccidents.”
“RuralCouncilputupaDangersign,butitdon’tdonogood,thatdon’t.Thereareaccidentsjustthesame.”
“WhyGipsy?”Iaskedhim.
Againhiseyesslippedpastmeandhisanswerwasvague.
“Sometaleorother.Itwasgipsies”landonce,theysay,andtheywereturnedoff,andtheyputacurseonit.”
Ilaughed.
“Aye,”hesaid,“youcanlaughbutthere’splacesasiscursed.Yousmart-Alecksintowndon’tknowaboutthem.Butthere’splacesasiscursedallright,andthere’sacurseonthisplace.Peoplegotkilledhereinthequarrywhentheygotthestoneouttobuild.OldGeordiehefellovertheedgethereonenightandbrokehisneck.”
“Drunk?”Isuggested.
“Hemayhavebeen.Helikedhisdrop,hedid.Butthere’smanydrunksasfall—nastyfalls—butitdon’tdothemnolastingharm.ButGeordie,hegothisneckbroke.Inthere,”hepointedupbehindhimtothepine-coveredhill,“inGipsy’sAcre.”
Yes,Isupposethat’showitbegan.NotthatIpaidmuchattentiontoitatthetime.Ijusthappenedtorememberit.That’sall.Ithink—thatis,whenIthinkproperly—thatIbuiltitupabitinmymind.Idon’tknowifitwasbeforeorlaterthatIaskediftherewerestillgipsiesaboutthere.Hesaidthereweren’tmanyanywherenowadays.Thepolicewerealwaysmovingthemon,hesaid.Iasked:
“Whydoesn’tanybodylikegipsies?”
“They’reathievinglot,”hesaid,disapprovingly.Thenhepeeredmorecloselyatme.“Happenyou’vegotgipsybloodyourself?”hesuggested,lookinghardatme.
IsaidnotthatIknewof.It’strue,Idolookabitlikeagipsy.Perhapsthat’swhatfascinatedmeaboutthenameofGipsy’sAcre.IthoughttomyselfasIwasstandingthere,smilingbackathim,amusedbyourconversation,thatperhapsIhadabitofgipsyblood.
Gipsy’sAcre.IwentupthewindingroadthatledoutofthevillageandwoundupthroughthedarktreesandcameatlasttothetopofthehillsothatIcouldseeouttoseaandtheships.ItwasamarvellousviewandIthought,justasonedoesthinkthings:IwonderhowitwouldbeifGipsy’sAcrewasmyacre…Justlikethat…Itwasonlyaridiculousthought.WhenIpassedmyhedgeclipperagain,hesaid:
“Ifyouwantgipsies,there’soldMrs.Leeofcourse.TheMajor,hegivesheracottagetolivein.”
“Who’stheMajor?”Iasked.
Hesaid,inashockedvoice,“MajorPhillpot,ofcourse.”HeseemedquiteupsetthatIshouldask!IgatheredthatMajorPhillpotwasGodlocally.Mrs.Leewassomekindofdependentofhis,Isuppose,whomheprovidedfor.ThePhillpotsseemedtohavelivedtherealltheirlivesandmoreorlesstohaveruntheplace.
AsIwishedmyoldboygooddayandturnedawayhesaid:
“She’sgotthelastcottageattheendofthestreet.You’llseeheroutside,maybe.Doesn’tliketheinsideofhouses.Themashasgotgipsyblooddon’t.”
SothereIwas,wanderingdowntheroad,whistlingandthinkingaboutGipsy’sAcre.I’dalmostforgottenwhatI’dbeentoldwhenIsawatallblack-hairedoldwomanstaringatmeoveragardenhedge.IknewatonceitmustbeMrs.Lee.Istoppedandspoketoher.
“IhearyoucantellmeaboutGipsy’sAcreupthere,”Isaid.
Shestaredatmethroughatangledfringeofblackhairandshesaid:
“Don’thavenoughttodowithit,youngman.Youlistentome.Forgetaboutit.You’reagood-lookinglad.NothinggoodcomesoutofGipsy’sAcreandneverwill.”
“Iseeit’supforsale,”Isaid.
“Aye,that’sso,andmorefoolhewhobuysit.”
“Who’slikelytobuyit?”
“There’sabuilderafterit.Morethanone.It’llgocheap.You’llsee.”
“Whyshoulditgocheap?”Iaskedcuriously.“It’safinesite.”
Shewouldn’tanswerthat.
“Supposingabuilderbuysitcheap,whatwillhedowithit?”
Shechuckledtoherself.Itwasmalicious,unpleasantlaughter.
“Pulldowntheoldruinedhouseandbuild,ofcourse.Twenty—thirtyhouses,maybe—andallwithacurseonthem.”
Iignoredthelastpartofthesentence.Isaid,speakingbeforeIcouldstopmyself:
“Thatwouldbeashame.Agreatshame.”
“Ah,youneedn’tworry.They’llgetnojoyofit,notthosewhobuysandnotthosewholaysthebricksandmortar.There’llbeafootthatslipsontheladder,andthere’llbethelorrythatcrasheswithaload,andtheslatethatfallsfromtheroofofahouseandfindsitsmark.Andthetreestoo.Crashing,maybe,inasuddengale.Ah,you’llsee!There’snonethat’llgetanygoodoutofGipsy’sAcre.They’ddobesttoleaveitalone.You’llsee.You’llsee.”Shenoddedvigorouslyandthensherepeatedsoftlytoherself,“There’snoluckforthemasmeddleswithGipsy’sAcre.Thereneverhasbeen.”
Ilaughed.Shespokesharply.
“Don’tlaugh,youngman.Itcomestomeasmaybeoneofthesedaysyou’lllaughonthewrongsideofyourmouth.There’sneverbeennoluckthere,notinthehousenoryetintheland.”
“Whathappenedinthehouse?”Iasked.“Whyhasitbeenemptysolong?Whywasitlefttofalldown?”
“Thelastpeoplethatlivedtheredied,allofthem.”
“Howdidtheydie?”Iaskedoutofcuriosity.
“Bestnottospeakofitagain.Butnoonecaredtocomeandliveinitafterwards.Itwaslefttomoulderanddecay.It’sforgotbynowandbestthatitshouldbe.”
“Butyoucouldtellmethestory,”Isaid,wheedlingly.“Youknowallaboutit.”
“Idon’tgossipaboutGipsy’sAcre.”Thenshelethervoicedroptoakindofphoneybeggar’swhine.“I’lltellyourfortunenow,myprettylad,ifyoulike.CrossmypalmwithsilverandI’lltellyourfortune.You’reoneofthosethat’llgofaroneofthesedays.”
“Idon’tbelievenonsenseaboutfortune-telling,”Isaid,“andIhaven’tanysilver.Nottospare,anyway.”
Shecamenearertomeandwentoninawheedlingvoice.“Sixpencenow.Sixpencenow.I’lldoitforsixpence.What’sthat?Nothingatall.I’lldoitforsixpencebecauseyou’reahandsomeladwithareadytongueandawaywithyou.Itcouldbethatyou’llgofar.”
Ifishedasixpenceoutofmypocket,notbecauseIbelievedinanyofherfoolishsuperstitionsbutbecauseforsomereasonIlikedtheoldfraudevenifIdidseethroughher.Shegrabbedthecoinfromme,andsaid:
“Givemeyourhandthen.Bothhands.”
Shetookmyhandsinherwitheredclawandstareddownattheopenpalms.Shewassilentforaminuteortwo,staring.Thenshedroppedmyhandsabruptly,almostpushingthemawayfromher.Sheretreatedastepandspokeharshly.
“Ifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou,you’llgetoutofGipsy’sAcrehereandnowandyouwon’tcomeback!That’sthebestadviceIcangiveyou.Don’tcomeback.”
“Whynot?Whyshouldn’tIcomeback?”
“Becauseifyoudoyou’llcomebacktosorrowandlossanddangermaybe.There’strouble,blacktroublewaitingforyou.Forgetyoueversawthisplace.I’mwarningyou.”
“Wellofallthe—”
Butshehadturnedawayandwasretreatingtothecottage.Shewentinandslammedthedoor.I’mnotsuperstitious.Ibelieveinluck,ofcourse,whodoesn’t?Butnotalotofsuperstitiousnonsenseaboutruinedhouseswithcursesonthem.AndyetIhadanuneasyfeelingthatthesinisteroldcreaturehadseensomethinginmyhands.Ilookeddownatmytwopalmsspreadoutinfrontofme.Whatcouldanyoneseeinthepalmsofanyone’shands?Fortune-tellingwasarrantnonsense—justatricktogetmoneyoutofyou—moneyoutofyoursillycredulity.Ilookedupatthesky.Thesunhadgonein,thedayseemeddifferentnow.Asortofshadow,akindofmenace.Justanapproachingstorm,Ithought.Thewindwasbeginningtoblow,thebacksoftheleaveswereshowingonthetrees.Iwhistledtokeepmyspiritsupandwalkedalongtheroadthroughthevillage.
Ilookedagainatthepasted-upbilladvertisingtheauctionofTheTowers.Ievenmadeanoteofthedate.IhadneverattendedapropertysaleinmylifebutIthoughttomyselfthatI’dcomeandattendthisone.ItwouldbeinterestingtoseewhoboughtTheTowers.ThatistosayinterestingtoseewhobecametheownerofGipsy’sAcre.Yes,Ithinkthat’sreallywhereitallbegan…Afantasticnotionoccurredtome.I’dcomeandpretendtomyselfthatIwasthemanwhowasgoingtobidforGipsy’sAcre!I’dbidagainstthelocalbuilders!They’ddropout,disappointedintheirhopesofbuyingitcheap.I’dbuyitandI’dgotoRudolfSantonixandsay,“Buildmeahouse.I’veboughtthesiteforyou.”AndI’dfindagirl,awonderfulgirl,andwe’dliveinittogetherhappyeverafter.
Ioftenhaddreamsofthatkind.Naturallytheynevercametoanythingbuttheywerefun.That’swhatIthoughtthen.Fun!Fun,myGod!IfI’donlyknown!
Two
ItwaspurechancethathadbroughtmetotheneighbourhoodofGipsy’sAcrethatday.Iwasdrivingahiredcar,takingsomepeopledownfromLondontoattendasale,asalenotofahousebutitscontents.Itwasabighousejustattheoutskirtsofthetown,aparticularlyuglyone.Idroveanelderlycoupletherewhowereinterested,fromwhatIcouldoverhearoftheirconversation,inacollectionofpapiermaché,whateverpapiermachéwas.TheonlytimeIeverhearditmentionedbeforewasbymymotherinconnectionwithwashing-upbowls.She’dsaidthatapapiermachéwashing-upbowlwasfarbetterthanaplasticoneanyday!Itseemedanoddthingforrichpeopletowanttocomedownandbuyacollectionofthestuff.
HoweverIstoredthefactawayinmymindandIthoughtIwouldlookinadictionaryorreadupsomewherewhatpapiermachéreallywas.Somethingthatpeoplethoughtworthwhiletohireacarfor,andgodowntoacountrysaleandbidfor.Ilikedtoknowaboutthings.Iwastwenty-twoyearsofageatthattimeandIhadpickedupafairamountofknowledgeonewayandanother.Iknewagooddealaboutcars,wasafairmechanicandacarefuldriver.OnceI’dworkedwithhorsesinIreland.InearlygotentangledwithadopegangbutIgotwiseandquitintime.Ajobasachauffeurtoaclassycarhirefirmisn’tbadatall.Goodmoneytobemadewithtips.Andnotusuallytoostrenuous.Buttheworkitselfwasboring.
OnceI’dgonefruitpickinginsummertime.Thatdidn’tpaymuch,butIenjoyedmyself.I’dtriedalotofthings.I’dbeenawaiterinathird-classhotel,lifeguardonasummerbeach,I’dsoldencyclopaediasandvacuumcleanersandafewotherthings.I’doncedonehorticulturalworkinabotanicalgardenandhadlearntalittleaboutflowers.
Ineverstucktoanything.WhyshouldI?I’dfoundnearlyeverythingIdidinteresting.SomethingswereharderworkthanothersbutIdidn’treallymindthat.I’mnotreallylazy.IsupposewhatIreallyamisrestless.Iwanttogoeverywhere,seeeverything,doeverything.Iwanttofindsomething.Yes,that’sit.Iwanttofindsomething.
FromthetimeIleftschoolIwantedtofindsomething,butIdidn’tyetknowwhatthatsomethingwasgoingtobe.ItwasjustsomethingIwaslookingforinavague,unsatisfiedsortofway.Itwassomewhere.SoonerorlaterI’dknowallaboutit.Itmightperhapsbeagirl…Ilikegirls,butnogirlI’dmetsofarhadbeenimportant…Youlikedthemallrightbutthenyouwenttothenextonequitegladly.TheywerelikethejobsItook.Allrightforabitandthenyougotfedupwiththemandyouwantedtomoveontothenextone.I’dgonefromonethingtoanothereversinceI’dleftschool.
Alotofpeopledisapprovedofmywayoflife.Isupposetheywerewhatyoumightcallmywell-wishers.Thatwasbecausetheydidn’tunderstandthefirstthingaboutme.Theywantedmetogosteadywithanicegirl,savemoney,getmarriedtoherandthensettledowntoanicesteadyjob.Dayafterday,yearafteryear,worldwithoutend,amen.Notforyourstruly!Theremustbesomethingbetterthanthat.Notjustallthistamesecurity,thegoodoldwelfarestatelimpingalonginitshalf-bakedway!Surely,Ithought,inaworldwheremanhasbeenabletoputsatellitesintheskyandwherementalkbigaboutvisitingthestars,theremustbesomethingthatrousesyou,thatmakesyourheartbeat,that’sworthwhilesearchingallovertheworldtofind!Oneday,Iremember,IwaswalkingdownBondStreet.ItwasduringmywaiterperiodandIwasdueonduty.I’dbeenstrollinglookingatsomeshoesinashopwindow.Verynattytheywere.Liketheysayintheadvertisementsinnewspapers:“Whatsmartmenarewearingtoday”andthere’susuallyapictureofthesmartmaninquestion.Myword,heusuallylooksatwerp!Usedtomakemelaugh,advertisementslikethatdid.
Ipassedonfromtheshoestothenextwindow.Itwasapictureshop.Justthreepicturesinthewindowartilyarrangedwithadrapeoflimpvelvetinsomeneutralcolourarrangedoveracornerofagiltframe.Cissy,ifyouknowwhatImean.I’mnotmuchofaoneforArt.IdroppedintotheNationalGalleryonceoutofcuriosity.Fairgavemethepip,itdid.Greatbigshinycolouredpicturesofbattlesinrockyglens,oremaciatedsaintsgettingthemselvesstuckwitharrows.Portraitsofsimperinggreatladiessittingsmirkinginsilksandvelvetsandlace.IdecidedthenandtherethatArtwasn’tforme.ButthepictureIwaslookingatnowwassomehowdifferent.Therewerethreepicturesinthewindow.Onealandscape,nicebitofcountryforwhatIcalleveryday.Oneofawomandrawninsuchafunnyway,somuchoutofproportion,thatyoucouldhardlyseeshewasawoman.Isupposethat’swhatyoucallartnouveau.Idon’tknowwhatitwasabout.Thethirdpicturewasmypicture.Therewasn’treallymuchtoit,ifyouknowwhatImean.Itwas—howcanIdescribeit?Itwaskindofsimple.Alotofspaceinitandafewgreatwideningcirclesallroundeachotherifyoucanputitthatway.Allindifferentcolours,oddcoloursthatyouwouldn’texpect.Andhereandthere,thereweresketchybitsofcolourthatdidn’tseemtomeananything.Onlysomehowtheydidmeansomething!I’mnogoodatdescription.AllIcansayisthatonewantedterriblytogoonlookingatit.
Ijuststoodthere,feelingqueerasthoughsomethingveryunusualhadhappenedtome.Thosefancyshoesnow,I’dhavelikedthemtowear.ImeanItakequiteabitoftroublewithmyclothes.Iliketodresswellsoastomakeanimpression,butIneverseriouslythoughtinmylifeofbuyingapairofshoesinBondStreet.Iknowthekindoffancypricestheyaskthere.Fifteenpoundsapairthoseshoesmightbe.Handmadeorsomething,theycallit,makingitmoreworthwhileforsomereason.Sheerwasteofmoneythatwouldbe.Aclassylineinshoes,yes,butyoucanpaytoomuchforclass.I’vegotmyheadscrewedontherightway.
Butthispicture,whatwouldthatcost?Iwondered.SupposeIweretobuythatpicture?You’recrazy,Isaidtomyself.Youdon’tgoforpictures,notinageneralway.Thatwastrueenough.ButIwantedthispicture…I’dlikeittobemine.I’dliketobeabletohangitandsitandlookatitaslongasIlikedandknowthatIownedit!Me!Buyingpictures.Itseemedacrazyidea.Itookalookatthepictureagain.Mewantingthatpicturedidn’tmakesense,andanyway,Iprobablycouldn’taffordit.ActuallyIwasinfundsatjustthatmoment.Aluckytiponahorse.Thispicturewouldprobablycostapacket.Twentypounds?Twenty-five?Anyway,therewouldbenoharminasking.Theycouldn’teatme,couldthey?Iwentin,feelingratheraggressiveandonthedefensive.
Theinsideoftheplacewasallveryhushedandgrand.Therewasasortofmutedatmospherewithneutral-colourwallsandavelvetsetteeonwhichyoucouldsitandlookatthepictures.Amanwholookedalittlelikethemodelfortheperfectlydressedmaninadvertisementscameandattendedtome,speakinginaratherhushedvoicetomatchthescenery.Funnily,hedidn’tlooksuperiorastheyusuallydoinhigh-gradeBondStreetshops.HelistenedtowhatIsaidandthenhetookthepictureoutofthewindowanddisplayeditformeagainstawall,holdingitthereformetolookataslongasIwanted.Itcametomethen—inthewayyousometimesknowjustexactlyhowthingsare,thatthesamerulesdidn’tapplyoverpicturesastheydoaboutotherthings.Somebodymightcomeintoaplacelikethisdressedinshabbyoldclothesandafrayedshirtandturnouttobeamillionairewhowantedtoaddtohiscollection.Orhecouldcomeinlookingcheapandflashy,ratherlikemeperhaps,butsomehoworotherhe’dgotsuchayenforapicturethathemanagedtogetthemoneytogetherbysomekindofsharppractice.
“Averyfineexampleoftheartist’swork,”saidthemanwhowasholdingthepicture.
“Howmuch?”Isaidbriskly.
Theanswertookmybreathaway.
“Twenty-fivethousand,”hesaidinhisgentlevoice.
I’mquitegoodatkeepingapokerface.Ididn’tshowanything.AtleastIdon’tthinkIdid.Headdedsomenamethatsoundedforeign.Theartist’sname,Isuppose,andthatithadjustcomeonthemarketfromahouseinthecountry,wherethepeoplewholivedtherehadhadnoideawhatitwas.Ikeptmyendupandsighed.
“It’salotofmoneybutit’sworthit,Isuppose,”Isaid.
Twenty-fivethousandpounds.Whatalaugh!
“Yes,”hesaidandsighed.“Yesindeed.”Heloweredthepictureverygentlyandcarrieditbacktothewindow.Helookedatmeandsmiled.“Youhavegoodtaste,”hesaid.
IfeltthatinsomewayheandIunderstoodeachother.IthankedhimandwentoutintoBondStreet.
Three
Idon’tknowmuchaboutwritingthingsdown—not,Imean,inthewayaproperwriterwoulddo.ThebitaboutthatpictureIsaw,forinstance.Itdoesn’treallyhaveanythingtodowithanything.Imean,nothingcameofit,itdidn’tleadtoanythingandyetIfeelsomehowthatitisimportant,thatithasaplacesomewhere.Itwasoneofthethingsthathappenedtomethatmeantsomething.JustlikeGipsy’sAcremeantsomethingtome.LikeSantonixmeantsomethingtome.
Ihaven’treallysaidmuchabouthim.Hewasanarchitect.Ofcourseyou’llhavegatheredthat.ArchitectsareanotherthingI’dneverhadmuchtodowith,thoughIknewafewthingsaboutthebuildingtrade.IcameacrossSantonixinthecourseofmywanderings.ItwaswhenIwasworkingasachauffeur,drivingthericharoundplaces.OnceortwiceIdroveabroad,twicetoGermany—IknewabitofGerman—andonceortwicetoFrance—IhadasmatteringofFrenchtoo—andoncetoPortugal.Theywereusuallyelderlypeople,whohadmoneyandbadhealthinaboutequalquantities.
Whenyoudrivepeoplelikethataround,youbegintothinkthatmoneyisn’tsohotafterall.Whatwithincipientheartattacks,lotsofbottlesoflittlepillsyouhavetotakeallthetime,andlosingyourtemperoverthefoodortheserviceinhotels.MostoftherichpeopleI’veknownhavebeenfairlymiserable.They’vegottheirworries,too
Everythingabithand-to-mouth,ofcourse,butIputupwiththat.Lifewasgoodfun,andI’dbeencontenttogoonwithlifebeingfun.ButIsupposeIwouldhaveinanycase.Thatattitudegoeswithyouth.Whenyouthbeginstopassfunisn’tfunanylonger.
Behindit,Ithink,wasalwaystheotherthing—wantingsomeoneandsomething…However,togoonwithwhatIwassaying,therewasoneoldboyIusedtodrivedowntotheRiviera.He’dgotahousebeingbuiltthere.Hewentdowntolookhowitwasgettingon.Santonixwasthearchitect.Idon’treallyknowwhatnationalitySantonixwas.EnglishIthoughtatfirst,thoughitwasafunnysortofnameI’dneverheardbefore.ButIdon’tthinkhewasEnglish.ScandinavianofsomekindIguess.Hewasanillman.Icouldseethatatonce.Hewasyoungandveryfairandthinwithanoddface,afacethatwasaskewsomehow.Thetwosidesofitdidn’tmatch.Hecouldbequitebad-temperedtohisclients.You’dhavethoughtastheywerepayingthemoneythatthey’dcallthetuneanddothebullying.Thatwasn’tso.Santonixbulliedthemandhewasalwaysquitesureofhimselfalthoughtheyweren’t.
Thisparticularoldboyofminewasfrothingwithrage,Iremember,assoonashearrivedandhadseenhowthingsweregoing.IusedtocatchsnatcheshereandtherewhenIwasstandingbyreadytoassistinmychauffeurlyandhandymanway.ItwasalwaysonthecardsthatMr.Constantinewouldhaveaheartattackorastroke.
“YouhavenotdoneasIsaid,”hehalfscreamed.“Youhavespenttoomuchmoney.Muchtoomuchmoney.Itisnotasweagreed.ItisgoingtocostmemorethanIthought.”
“You’reabsolutelyright,”saidSantonix.“Butthemoney’sgottobespent.”
“Itshallnotbespent!Itshallnotbespent.YouhavegottokeepwithinthelimitsIlaiddown.Youunderstand?”
“Thenyouwon’tgetthekindofhouseyouwant,”saidSantonix.“Iknowwhatyouwant.ThehouseIbuildyouwillbethehouseyouwant.I’mquitesureofthatandyou’requitesureofit,too.Don’tgivemeanyofyourpettifoggingmiddle-classeconomies.Youwantahouseofqualityandyou’regoingtogetit,andyou’llboastaboutittoyourfriendsandthey’llenvyyou.Idon’tbuildahouseforanyone,I’vetoldyouthat.There’smoretoitthanmoney.Thishouseisn’tgoingtobelikeotherpeople’shouses!”
“Itisgoingtobeterrible.Terrible.”
“Ohnoitisn’t.Thetroublewithyouisthatyoudon’tknowwhatyouwant.Oratleastsoanyonemightthink.Butyoudoknowwhatyouwantreally,onlyyoucan’tbringitoutintoyourmind.Youcan’tseeitclearly.ButIknow.That’stheonethingIalwaysknow.Whatpeopleareafterandwhattheywant.There’safeelinginyouforquality.I’mgoingtogiveyouquality.”
Heusedtosaythingslikethat.AndI’dstandbyandlisten.SomehoworotherIcouldseeformyselfthatthishousethatwasbeingbuiltthereamongstpinetreeslookingoverthesea,wasn’tgoingtobetheusualhouse.Halfofitdidn’tlookouttowardstheseainaconventionalway.Itlookedinland,uptoacertaincurveofmountains,uptoaglimpseofskybetweenhills.Itwasoddandunusualandveryexciting.
SantonixusedtotalktomesometimeswhenIwasoffduty.Hesaid:
“IonlybuildhousesforpeopleIwanttobuildfor.”
“Richpeople,youmean?”
“Theyhavetoberichortheycouldn’tpayforthehouses.Butit’snotthemoneyI’mgoingtomakeoutofitIcareabout.MyclientshavetoberichbecauseIwanttomakethekindofhousesthatcostmoney.Thehouseonlyisn’tenough,yousee.Ithastohavethesetting.That’sjustasimportant.It’slikearubyoranemerald.Abeautifulstoneisonlyabeautifulstone.Itdoesn’tleadyouanywherefurther.Itdoesn’tmeananything,ithasnoformorsignificanceuntilithasitssetting.Andthesettinghastohaveabeautifuljeweltobeworthyofit.Itakethesetting,yousee,outofthelandscape,whereitexistsonlyinitsownright.Ithasnomeaninguntilthereismyhousesittingproudlylikeajewelwithinitsgrasp.”Helookedatmeandlaughed.“Youdon’tunderstand?”
“Isupposenot,”Isaidslowly,“andyet—inaway—IthinkIdo….”
“Thatmaybe.”Helookedatmecuriously.
WecamedowntotheRivieraagainlater.Bythenthehousewasnearlyfinished.Iwon’tdescribeitbecauseIcouldn’tdoitproperly,butitwas—well—somethingspecial—anditwasbeautiful.Icouldseethat.Itwasahouseyou’dbeproudof,proudtoshowtopeople,proudtolookatyourself,proudtobeinwiththerightpersonperhaps.AndthensuddenlyonedaySantonixsaidtome:
“Icouldbuildahouseforyou,youknow.I’dknowthekindofhouseyou’dwant.”
Ishookmyhead.
“Ishouldn’tknowmyself,”Isaid,honestly.
“Perhapsyouwouldn’t.I’dknowforyou.”Thenheadded,“It’sathousandpitiesyouhaven’tgotthemoney.”
“Andnevershallhave,”Isaid.
“Youcan’tsaythat,”saidSantonix.“Bornpoordoesn’tmeanyou’vegottostaypoor.Money’squeer.Itgoeswhereit’swanted.”
“I’mnotsharpenough,”Isaid.
“You’renotambitiousenough.Ambitionhasn’twokenupinyou,butit’sthere,youknow.”
“Oh,well,”Isaid,“somedaywhenI’vewokenupambitionandI’vemademoney,thenI’llcometoyouandsay‘buildmeahouse.’”
Hesighedthen.Hesaid:
“Ican’twait…No,Ican’taffordtowait.I’veonlyashorttimetogonow.Onehouse—twohousesmore.Notmorethanthat.Onedoesn’twanttodieyoung…Sometimesonehasto…Itdoesn’treallymatter,Isuppose.”
“I’llhavetowakeupmyambitionquick.”
“No,”saidSantonix.“You’rehealthy,you’rehavingfun,don’tchangeyourwayoflife.”
Isaid:“Icouldn’tifItried.”
Ithoughtthatwastruethen.IlikedmywayoflifeandIwashavingfunandtherewasneveranythingwrongwithmyhealth.I’vedrivenalotofpeoplewho’vemademoney,who’veworkedhardandwho’vegotulcersandcoronarythrombosisandmanyotherthingsasaresultofworkinghard.Ididn’twanttoworkhard.Icoulddoajobaswellasanotherbutthatwasalltherewastoit.AndIhadn’tgotambition,orIdidn’tthinkIhadambition.Santonixhadhadambition,Isuppose.Icouldseethatdesigninghousesandbuildingthem,theplanningofthedrawingandsomethingelsethatIcouldn’tquitegetholdof,allthathadtakenitoutofhim.Hehadn’tbeenastrongmantobeginwith.Ihadafancifulideasometimesthathewaskillinghimselfbeforehistimebytheworkhehadputouttodrivehisambition.Ididn’twanttowork.Itwasassimpleasthat.Idistrustedwork,dislikedit.Ithoughtitwasaverybadthing,thatthehumanracehadunfortunatelyinventedforitself.
IthoughtaboutSantonixquiteoften.HeintriguedmealmostmorethananyoneIknew.Oneoftheoddestthingsinlife,Ithink,isthethingsoneremembers.Onechoosestoremember,Isuppose.Somethinginonemustchoose.SantonixandhishousewereoneofthethingsandthepictureinBondStreetandvisitingthatruinedhouse,TheTowers,andhearingthestoryofGipsy’sAcre,allthosewerethethingsthatI’dchosentoremember!SometimesgirlsthatImet,andjourneystotheforeignplacesinthecourseofdrivingclientsabout.Theclientswereallthesame.Dull.Theyalwaysstayedatthesamekindofhotelsandatethesamekindofunimaginativefood.
Istillhadthatqueerfeelinginmeofwaitingforsomething,waitingforsomethingtobeofferedtome,ortohappentome,Idon’tquiteknowwhichwaydescribesitbest.IsupposereallyIwaslookingforagirl,therightsortofgirl—bywhichIdon’tmeananice,suitablegirltosettledownwith,whichiswhatmymotherwouldhavemeantormyUncleJoshuaorsomeofmyfriends.Ididn’tknowatthattimeanythingaboutlove.AllIknewaboutwassex.Thatwasallanybodyofmygenerationseemedtoknowabout.Wetalkedaboutittoomuch,Ithink,andheardtoomuchaboutitandtookittooseriously.Wedidn’tknow—anyofmyfriendsormyself—whatitwasreallygoingtobewhenithappened.LoveImean.Wewereyoungandvirileandwelookedthegirlsoverwemetandweappreciatedtheircurvesandtheirlegsandthekindofeyetheygaveyou,andyouthoughttoyourself:“Willtheyorwon’tthey?ShouldIbewastingmytime?”Andthemoregirlsyoumadethemoreyouboastedandthefinerfellowyouwerethoughttobe,andthefinerfellowyouthoughtyourself.
I’dnorealideathatthatwasn’talltherewastoit.Isupposeithappenstoeveryonesoonerorlaterandithappenssuddenly.Youdon’tthinkasyouimagineyou’regoingtothink:“Thismightbethegirlforme…Thisisthegirlwhoisgoingtobemine.”Atleast,Ididn’tfeelitthatway.Ididn’tknowthatwhenithappeneditwouldhappenquitesuddenly.ThatIwouldsay:“That’sthegirlIbelongto.I’mhers.Ibelongtoher,utterly,foralways.”No.Ineverdreameditwouldbelikethat.Didn’toneoftheoldcomedianssayonce—wasn’titoneofhisstockjokes?“I’vebeeninloveonceandifIfeltitcomingonagainItellyouI’demigrate.”Itwasthesamewithme.IfIhadknown,ifIhadonlyknownwhatitcouldallcometomeanI’dhaveemigratedtoo!IfI’dbeenwise,thatis.
Four
Ihadn’tforgottenmyplanofgoingtotheauction.
Therewasthreeweekstogo.I’dhadtwomoretripstotheContinent,onetoFranceandtheothertoGermany.ItwaswhenIwasinHamburgthatthingscametoacrisis.ForonethingItookaviolentdisliketothemanandhiswifeIwasdriving.TheyrepresentedeverythingIdislikedmost.Theywererude,inconsiderate,unpleasanttolookat,andIsupposetheydevelopedinmeafeelingofbeingunabletostandthislifeofsycophancyanylonger.Iwascareful,mindyou.IthoughtIcouldn’tstandthemanotherdaybutIdidn’ttellthemso.Nogoodrunningyourselfinbadwiththefirmthatemploysyou.SoItelephoneduptheirhotel,saidIwasillandIwiredLondonsayingthesamething
Thatrebellionofminewasanimportantturning-pointinmylife.Becauseofthatandofotherthings,Iturnedupattheauctionroomsontheappointeddate.
“Unlesssoldbeforebyprivatetreaty”hadbeenpastedacrosstheoriginalboard.Butitwasstillthere,soithadn’tbeensoldbyprivatetreaty.IwassoexcitedIhardlyknewwhatIwasdoing.
AsIsay,Ihadneverbeentoapublicauctionofpropertybefore.Iwasimbuedwiththeideathatitwouldbeexcitingbutitwasn’texciting.Notintheleast.ItwasoneofthemostmoribundperformancesIhaveeverattended.Ittookplaceinasemi-gloomyatmosphereandtherewereonlyaboutsixorsevenpeoplethere.TheauctioneerwasquitedifferentfromthoseauctioneersthatIhadseenpresidingatfurnituresalesorthingsofthatkind;menwithfacetiousvoicesandveryheartyandfullofjokes.Thisone,inadeadandalivevoice,praisedthepropertyanddescribedtheacreageandafewthingslikethatandthenhewenthalfheartedlyintothebidding.Somebodymadeabidof￡5,000.Theauctioneergaveatiredsmileratherasonewhohearsajokethatisn’treallyfunny.Hemadeafewremarksandtherewereafewmorebids.Theyweremostlycountrytypesstandingaround.Someonewholookedlikeafarmer,someonewhoIguessedtobeoneofthecompetitivebuilders,acoupleoflawyers,Ithink,oneamanwholookedasthoughhewasastrangerfromLondon,welldressedandprofessional-looking.Idon’tknowifhemadeanactualbid,hemayhavedone.Ifsoitwasveryquietlyanddonemorebygesture.Anywaythebiddingpeteredtoanend,theauctioneerannouncedinamelancholyvoicethatthereservepricehadnotbeenreachedandthethingbrokeup.
“Thatwasadullbusiness,”Isaidtooneofthecountry-lookingfellowswhomIwasnexttoasIwentout.
“Muchthesameasusual,”hesaid.“Beentomanyofthese?”
“No,”Isaid,“actuallyit’sthefirst.”
“Comeoutofcuriosity,didyou?Ididn’tnoticeyoudoinganybidding.”
“Nofear,”Isaid.“Ijustwantedtoseehowitwouldgo.”
“Well,it’sthewayitrunsveryoften.Theyjustwanttoseewho’sinterested,youknow.”
Ilookedathiminquiringly.
“Onlythreeof’eminit,Ishouldsay,”saidmyfriend.“WhetherbyfromHelminster.He’sthebuilder,youknow.ThenDakhamandCoombe,biddingonbehalfofsomeLiverpoolfirm,Iunderstand,andadarkhorsefromLondon,too,Ishouldsayalawyer.Ofcoursetheremaybemoreinitthanthat,butthoseseemedthemainonestome.It’llgocheap.That’swhateveryonesays.”
“Becauseoftheplace’sreputation?”Iasked.
“Oh,you’veheardaboutGipsy’sAcre,haveyou?That’sonlywhatthecountrypeoplesay.RuralCounciloughttohavealteredthatroadyearsago—it’sadeathtrap.”
“Buttheplacehasgotabadreputation?”
“Itellyouthat’sjustsuperstition.Anyway,asIsay,therealbusiness’llhappennowbehindthescenes,youknow.They’llgoandmakeoffers.I’dsaytheLiverpoolpeoplemightgetit.Idon’tthinkWhetherby’llgohighenough.Helikesbuyingcheap.Plentyofpropertiescomingintothemarketnowadaysfordevelopment.Afterall,it’snotmanypeoplewhocouldaffordtobuytheplace,pullthatruinedhousedownandputupanotherhousethere,couldthey?”
“Doesn’tseemtohappenveryoftennowadays,”Isaid.
“Toodifficult.Whatwithtaxationandonethingandanother,andyoucan’tgetdomestichelpinthecountry.No,peoplewouldratherpaythousandsforaluxuryflatinatownnowadaysuponthesixteenthfloorofamodernbuilding.Bigunwieldycountryhousesareadragonthemarket.”
“Butyoucouldbuildamodernhouse,”Iargued.“Labour-saving.”
“Youcould,butit’sanexpensivebusinessandpeoplearen’tsofondoflivinglonely.”
“Somepeoplemightbe,”Isaid.
Helaughedandweparted.Iwalkedalong,frowning,puzzlingtomyself.MyfeettookmewithoutmyreallynoticingwhereIwasgoingalongtheroadbetweenthetreesandup,uptothecurvingroadthatledbetweenthetreestothemoorlands.
AndsoIcametothespotintheroadwhereIfirstsawEllie.AsIsaid,shewasstandingjustbyatallfirtreeandshehadthelook,ifIcanexplainit,ofsomeonewhohadn’tbeenthereamomentbeforebuthadjustmaterialized,asitwere,outofthetree.Shewaswearingasortofdarkgreentweedandherhairwasthesoftbrowncolourofanautumnleafandtherewassomethingabitunsubstantialabouther.IsawherandIstopped.Shewaslookingatme,herlipsjustparted,lookingslightlystartled.IsupposeIlookedstartledtoo.IwantedtosaysomethingandIdidn’tquiteknowwhattosay.ThenIsaid:
“Sorry.I—Ididn’tmeantostartleyou.Ididn’tknowtherewasanyonehere.”
Shesaid,andhervoicewasverysoftandgentle,itmighthavebeenalittlegirl’svoicebutnotquite.Shesaid:
“It’squiteallright.Imean,Ididn’tthinkanyonewouldbehereeither.”Shelookedroundherandsaid,“It—it’salonelyspot.”Andsheshiveredjustalittle.
Therewasratherachillywindthatafternoon.Butperhapsitwasn’tthewind.Idon’tknow.Icameasteportwonearer.
“Itisasortofscaryplacerather,isn’tit?”Isaid.“Imean,thehousebeingaruinthewayitis.”
“TheTowers,”shesaidthoughtfully.“Thatwasthenameofit,wasn’tit—onlyImean,theredon’tseemtohavebeenanytowers.”
“Iexpectthatwasjustaname,”Isaid.“PeoplecalltheirhousesnameslikeTheTowerstomakethemsoundgranderthantheyare.”
Shelaughedjustalittle.“Isupposethatwasit,”shesaid.“This—perhapsyouknow,I’mnotsure—thisistheplacethatthey’resellingtodayorputtingupforauction?”
“Yes,”Isaid.“I’vecomefromtheauctionnow.”
“Oh.”Shesoundedstartled.“Wereyou—areyou—interested?”
“I’mnotlikelytobuyaruinedhousewithafewhundredacresofwoodlandland,”Isaid.“I’mnotinthatclass.”
“Wasitsold?”sheasked.
“No,itdidn’tcomeuptoreserve.”
“Oh.Isee.”Shesoundedrelieved.
“Youdidn’twanttobuyiteither,didyou?”Isaid.
“Ohno,”shesaid,“ofcoursenot.”Shesoundednervousaboutit.
IhesitatedandthenIblurtedoutthewordsthatcametomylips.“I’mpretending,”Isaid.“Ican’tbuyit,ofcourse,becauseIhaven’tgotanymoney,butI’minterested.I’dliketobuyit.Iwanttobuyit.Openyourmouthandlaughatmeifyoulikebutthat’sthewayitis.”
“Butisn’titrathertoodecrepit,too—”
“Ohyes,”Isaid.“Idon’tmeanIwantitlikeitisnow.Iwanttopullthisdown,cartitallaway.It’sanuglyhouseandIthinkitmusthavebeenasadhouse.Butthisplaceisn’tsadorugly.It’sbeautiful.Lookhere.Comealittlethisway,throughthetrees.Lookoutattheviewthatwaywhereitgoestothehillsandthemoors.D’yousee?Clearawayavistahere—andthenyoucomethisway—”
Itookherbythearmandledhertoasecondpointofthecompass.Ifwewerebehavingunconventionallyshedidnotnoticeit.Anyway,itwasn’tthatkindofwayIwasholdingher.IwantedtoshowherwhatIsaw.
“Here,”Isaid,“hereyouseewhereitsweepsdowntotheseaandwheretherocksshowoutthere.There’satownbetweenusandthatbutwecan’tseeitbecauseofthehillsbulgingoutfartherdowntheslope.Andthenyoucanlookathirdway,toavagueforestyvalley.Doyouseenowifyoucutdowntreesandmakebigvistasandclearthisspaceroundthehouse,doyouseewhatabeautifulhouseyoucouldhavehere?Youwouldn’tsiteitwheretheoldoneis.You’dgoaboutfifty—ahundredyardstotheright,here.Thisiswhereyoucouldhaveahouse,awonderfulhouse.Ahousebuiltbyanarchitectwho’sagenius.”
“Doyouknowanyarchitectswhoaregeniuses?”Shesoundeddoubtful.
“Iknowone,”Isaid.
ThenIstartedtellingheraboutSantonix.WesatdownsidebysideonafallentreeandItalked.Yes,ItalkedtothatslenderwoodlandgirlwhomI’dneverseenbeforeandIputallIhadintowhatIwastellingher.Itoldherthedreamthatonecouldbuildup.
“Itwon’thappen,”Isaid,“Iknowthat.Itcouldn’thappen.Butthink.ThinkintoitjustlikeI’mthinkingintoit.Therewe’dcutthetreesandtherewe’dopenup,andwe’dplantthings,rhododendronsandazaleas,andmyfriendSantonixwouldcome.He’dcoughagooddealbecauseIthinkhe’sdyingofconsumptionorsomethingbuthecoulddoit.Hecoulddoitbeforehedied.Hecouldbuildthemostwonderfulhouse.Youdon’tknowwhathishousesarelike.Hebuildsthemforveryrichpeopleandtheyhavetobepeoplewhowanttherightthing.Idon’tmeantherightthingintheconventionalsense.Thingspeoplewhowantadreamcometruewant.Somethingwonderful.”
“I’dwantahouselikethat,”saidEllie.“Youmakemeseeit,feelit…Yes,thiswouldbealovelyplacetolive.Everythingonehasdreamedofcometrue.Onecouldlivehereandbefree,nothampered,nottiedroundbypeoplepushingyouintodoingeverythingyoudon’twant,keepingyoufromdoinganythingyoudowant.OhIamsosickofmylifeandthepeoplewhoareroundmeandeverything!”
That’sthewayitbegan,EllieandItogether.Mewithmydreamsandshewithherrevoltagainstherlife.Westoppedtalkingandlookedateachother.
“What’syourname?”shesaid.
“MikeRogers,”Isaid.“MichaelRogers,”Iamended.“What’syours?”
“Fenella.”Shehesitatedandthensaid,“FenellaGoodman,”lookingatmewitharathertroubledexpression.
Thisdidn’tseemtotakeusmuchfurtherbutwewentonlookingateachother.Webothwantedtoseeeachotheragain—butjustforthemomentwedidn’tknowhowtosetaboutit.
Five
Well,that’showitbeganbetweenEllieandmyself.Itdidn’treallygoalongsoveryquickly,becausewebothhadoursecrets.Bothhadthingswewantedtokeepfromtheotherandsowecouldn’ttelleachotherasmuchaboutourselvesaswemighthavedone,andthatkeptbringingusupsharp,asitwere,againstakindofbarrier.Wecouldn’tbringthingsintotheopenandsay,“Whenshallwemeetagain?WherecanIfindyou?Wheredoyoulive?”Because,yousee,ifyouasktheotherpersonthat,they’dexpectyoutotellthesame.
Fenellalookedapprehensivewhenshegavemehername.SomuchsothatIthoughtforamomentthatitmightn’tbeherrealname.Ialmostthoughtthatshemighthavemadeitup!ButofcourseIknewthatthatwasimpossible.I’dgivenhermyrealname.
Wedidn’tknowquitehowtotakeleaveofeachotherthatday.Itwasawkward.IthadbecomecoldandwewantedtowanderdownfromTheTowers—butwhatthen?Ratherawkwardly,Isaidtentatively:
“Areyoustayingroundhere?”
ShesaidshewasstayinginMarketChadwell.Thatwasamarkettownnotveryfaraway.Ithad,Iknew,alargehotel,three-starred.She’dbestayingthere,Iguessed.Shesaid,withsomethingofthesameawkwardness,tome:
“Doyoulivehere?”
“No,”Isaid,“Idon’tlivehere.I’monlyherefortheday.”
Thenaratherawkwardsilencefell.Shegaveafaintshiver.Acoldlittlewindhadcomeup.
“We’dbetterwalk,”Isaid,“andkeepourselveswarm.Areyou—haveyougotacarorareyougoingbybusortrain?”
Shesaidshe’dleftthecarinthevillage.
“ButI’llbequiteallright,”shesaid.
Sheseemedalittlenervous.Ithoughtperhapsshewantedtogetridofmebutdidn’tquiteknowhowtomanageit.Isaid:
“We’llwalkdown,shallwe,justasfarasthevillage?”
Shegavemeaquickgratefullookthen.Wewalkedslowlydownthewindingroadonwhichsomanycaraccidentshadhappened.Aswecameroundacorner,afiguresteppedsuddenlyfrombeneaththeshelterofthefirtree.ItappearedsosuddenlythatElliegaveastartandsaid,“Oh!”ItwastheoldwomanIhadseentheotherdayinhercottagegarden.MrsLee.Shelookedagreatdealwildertodaywithatangleofblackhairblowinginthewindandascarletcloakroundhershoulders;thecommandingstanceshetookupmadeherlooktaller.
“Andwhatwouldyoubedoing,mydears?”shesaid.“WhatbringsyoutoGipsy’sAcre?”
“Oh,”Elliesaid,“wearen’ttrespassing,arewe?”
“That’sasmaybe.Gipsies’landthisusedtobe.Gipsies’landandtheydroveusoffit.You’lldonogoodhere,andnogoodwillcometoyouprowlingaboutGipsy’sAcre.”
TherewasnofightinEllie,shewasn’tthatkind.Shesaidgentlyandpolitely:
“I’mverysorryifweshouldn’thavecomehere.Ithoughtthisplacewasbeingsoldtoday.”
“Andbadluckitwillbetoanyonewhobuysit!”saidtheoldwoman.“Youlisten,mypretty,foryou’reprettyenough,badluckwillcometowhoeverbuysit.There’sacurseonthisland,acurseputonitlongago,manyyearsago.Youkeepclearofit.Don’thavenoughttodowithGipsy’sAcre.Deathitwillbringyouanddanger.Goawayhomeacrosstheseaanddon’tcomebacktoGipsy’sAcre.Don’tsayIdidn’twarnyou.”
“We’redoingnoharm.”
“Comenow,MrsLee,”Isaid,“don’tfrightenthisyounglady.”
IturnedinanexplanatorywaytoEllie
“MrsLeelivesinthevillage.She’sgotacottagethere.Shetellsfortunesandprophesiesthefuture.Allthat,don’tyou,MrsLee?”Ispoketoherinajocularway.
“I’vegotthegift,”shesaidsimply,drawinghergipsy-likefigureupstraighterstill.“I’vegotthegift.It’sborninme.Weallhaveit.I’lltellyourfortune,younglady.CrossmypalmwithsilverandI’lltellyourfortuneforyou.”
“Idon’tthinkIwantmyfortunetold.”
“It’dbeawisethingtodo.Knowsomethingaboutthefuture.Knowwhattoavoid,knowwhat’scomingtoyouifyoudon’ttakecare.Comenow,there’splentyofmoneyinyourpocket.Plentyofmoney.Iknowthingsitwouldbewiseforyoutoknow.”
Ibelievetheurgetohaveone’sfortunetoldisalmostinvariableinwomen.I’venoticeditbeforewithgirlsIknew.Inearlyalwayshadtopayforthemtogointothefortune-tellers’boothsifItookthemtoafair.Ellieopenedherbagandlaidtwohalfcrownsintheoldwoman’shand.
“Ah,mypretty,that’srightnow.YouhearwhatoldMotherLeewilltellyou.”
Elliedrewoffhergloveandlaidhersmalldelicatepalmintheoldwoman’shand.Shelookeddownatit,mutteringtoherself.“WhatdoIseenow?WhatdoIsee?”
SuddenlyshedroppedEllie’shandabruptly.
“I’dgoawayfromhereifIwereyou.Go—anddon’tcomeback!That’swhatItoldyoujustnowandit’strue.I’veseenitagaininyourpalm.ForgetGipsy’sAcre,forgetyoueversawit.Andit’snotjusttheruinedhouseupthere,it’sthelanditselfthat’scursed.”
“You’vegotamaniaaboutthat,”Isaidroughly.“Anywaytheyoungladyhasnothingtodowiththelandhere.She’sonlyhereforawalktoday,she’snothingtodowiththeneighbourhood.”
Theoldwomanpaidnoattentiontome.Shesaiddourly:
“I’mtellingyou,mypretty.I’mwarningyou.Youcanhaveahappylife—butyoumustavoiddanger.Don’tcometoaplacewherethere’sdangerorwherethere’sacurse.Goawaywhereyou’relovedandtakencareofandlookedafter.You’vegottokeepyourselfsafe.Rememberthat.Otherwise—otherwise—”shegaveashortshiver.“Idon’tliketoseeit,Idon’tliketoseewhat’sinyourhand.”
SuddenlywithaqueerbriskgestureshepushedbackthetwohalfcrownsintoEllie’spalm,mumblingsomethingwecouldhardlyhear.Itsoundedlike“It’scruel.It’scruel,what’sgoingtohappen.”Turning,shestalkedawayatarapidpace.
“Whata—whatafrighteningwoman,”saidEllie.
“Paynoattentiontoher,”Isaidgruffly.“Ithinkshe’shalfoffherheadanyway.Shejustwantstofrightenyouoff.They’vegotasortoffeeling,Ithink,aboutthisparticularpieceofland.”
“Havetherebeenaccidentshere?Havebadthingshappened?”
“Boundtobeaccidents.Lookatthecurveandthenarrownessoftheroad.TheTownCounciloughttobeshotfornotdoingsomethingaboutit.Ofcoursethere’llbeaccidentshere.Therearen’tenoughsignswarningyou.”
“Onlyaccidents—orotherthings?”
“Lookhere,”Isaid,“peopleliketocollectdisasters.Thereareplentyofdisastersalwaystocollect.That’sthewaystoriesbuildthemselvesupaboutaplace.”
“Isthatoneofthereasonswhytheysaythispropertywhichisbeingsoldwillgocheap?”
“Well,itmaybe,Isuppose.Locally,thatis.ButIdon’tsupposeit’llbesoldlocally.Iexpectit’llbeboughtfordeveloping.You’reshivering,”Isaid.“Don’tshiver.Comeon,we’llwalkfast.”Iadded,“WouldyouratherIleftyoubeforeyougotbackintothetown?”
“No.Ofcoursenot.WhyshouldI?”
Imadeadesperateplunge.
“Lookhere,”Isaid,“IshallbeinMarketChadwelltomorrow.I—Isuppose—Idon’tknowwhetheryou’llstillbethere…Imean,wouldtherebeanychanceof—seeingyou?”Ishuffledmyfeetandturnedmyheadaway.Igotratherred,Ithink.ButifIdidn’tsaysomethingnow,howwasIgoingtogoonwiththis?
“Ohyes,”shesaid,“Ishan’tbegoingbacktoLondonuntiltheevening.”
“Thenperhaps—wouldyou—Imean,Isupposeit’srathercheek—”
“No,itisn’t.”
“Well,perhapsyou’dcomeandhaveteaatacafé—theBlueDogIthinkit’scalled.It’squitenice,”Isaid.“It’s—Imean,it’s—”Icouldn’tgetholdofthewordIwantedandIusedthewordthatI’dheardmymotheruseonceortwice—“it’squiteladylike,”Isaidanxiously.
ThenEllielaughed.Isupposeitsoundedratherpeculiarnowadays.
“I’msureit’llbeverynice,”shesaid.“Yes.I’llcome.Abouthalfpastfour,willthatberight?”
“I’llbewaitingforyou,”Isaid.“I—I’mglad.”Ididn’tsaywhatIwasgladabout.
Wehadcometothelastturnoftheroadwherethehousesbegan.
“Good-bye,then,”Isaid,“tilltomorrow.And—don’tthinkagainaboutwhatthatoldhagsaid.Shejustlikesscaringpeople,Ithink.She’snotallthere,”Iadded.
“Doyoufeelit’safrighteningplace?”Ellieasked.
“Gipsy’sAcre?No,Idon’t,”Isaid.Isaiditperhapsatrifletoodecidedly,butIdidn’tthinkitwasfrightening.IthoughtasI’dthoughtbefore,thatitwasabeautifulplace,abeautifulsettingforabeautifulhouse….
Well,that’showmyfirstmeetingwithElliewent.IwasinMarketChadwellthenextdaywaitingintheBlueDogandshecame.Wehadteatogetherandwetalked.Westilldidn’tsaymuchaboutourselves,notaboutourlives,Imean.Wetalkedmostlyaboutthingswethought,andfelt;andthenEllieglancedatherwristwatchandsaidshemustbegoingbecausehertraintoLondonleftat5:30—
“Ithoughtyouhadacardownhere,”Isaid.
Shelookedslightlyembarrassedthenandshesaidno,no,thathadn’tbeenhercaryesterday.Shedidn’tsaywhoseithadbeen.Thatshadowofembarrassmentcameoverusagain.Iraisedafingertothewaitressandpaidthebill,thenIsaidstraightouttoEllie:
“AmI—amIevergoingtoseeyouagain?”
Shedidn’tlookatme,shelookeddownatthetable.Shesaid:
“IshallbeinLondonforanotherfortnight.”
Isaid:
“Where?How?”
WemadeadatetomeetinRegent’sParkinthreedays’time.Itwasafineday.Wehadsomefoodintheopen-airrestaurantandwewalkedinQueenMary’sGardensandwesatthereintwodeckchairsandwetalked.Fromthattimeon,webegantotalkaboutourselves.I’dhadsomegoodschooling,Itoldher,butotherwiseIdidn’tamounttomuch.ItoldheraboutthejobsI’dhad,someofthematanyrate,andhowI’dneverstucktothingsandhowI’dbeenrestlessandwanderedabouttryingthisandthat.Funnilyenough,shewasentrancedtohearallthis.
“Sodifferent,”shesaid,“sowonderfullydifferent.”
“Differentfromwhat?”
“Fromme.”
“You’rearichgirl?”Isaidteasingly—“Apoorlittlerichgirl.”
“Yes,”shesaid,“I’mapoorlittlerichgirl.”
Shetalkedtheninafragmentarywayaboutherbackgroundofriches,ofstiflingcomfort,ofboredom,ofnotreallychoosingyourownfriends,ofneverdoingwhatyouwanted.Sometimeslookingatpeoplewhoseemedtobeenjoyingthemselves,whenshewasn’t.Hermotherhaddiedwhenshewasababyandherfatherhadmarriedagain.Andthen,notmanyyearsafter,hehaddied,shesaid.Igatheredshedidn’tcaremuchforherstepmother.She’dlivedmostlyinAmericabutalsotravellingabroadafairamount.
Itseemedfantastictomelisteningtoherthatanygirlinthisageandtimecouldlivethissheltered,confinedexistence.True,shewenttopartiesandentertainments,butitmighthavebeenfiftyyearsagoitseemedtomefromthewayshetalked.Theredidn’tseemtobeanyintimacy,anyfun!Herlifewasasdifferentfrommineaschalkfromcheese.Inawayitwasfascinatingtohearaboutitbutitsoundedstultifyingtome.
“Youhaven’treallygotanyfriendsofyourownthen?”Isaid,incredulously.“Whataboutboyfriends?”
“They’rechosenforme,”shesaidratherbitterly.“They’redeadlydull.”
“It’slikebeinginprison,”Isaid.
“That’swhatitseemslike.”
“Andreallynofriendsofyourown?”
“Ihavenow.I’vegotGreta.”
“Who’sGreta?”Isaid.
“Shecamefirstasanaupair—no,notquitethat,perhaps.ButanywayI’dhadaFrenchgirlwholivedwithusforayear,forFrench,andthenGretacamefromGermany,forGerman.Gretawasdifferent.EverythingwasdifferentonceGretacame.”
“You’reveryfondofher?”Iasked.
“Shehelpsme,”saidEllie.“She’sonmyside.ShearrangessothatIcandothingsandgoplaces.She’lltellliesforme.Icouldn’thavegotawaytocomedowntoGipsy’sAcreifithadn’tbeenforGreta.She’skeepingmecompanyandlookingaftermeinLondonwhilemystepmother’sinParis.IwritetwoorthreelettersandifIgooffanywhereGretapoststhemeverythreeorfourdayssothattheyhaveaLondonpostmark.”
“WhydidyouwanttogodowntoGipsy’sAcrethough?”Iasked.“Whatfor?”
Shedidn’tansweratonce.
“GretaandIarrangedit,”shesaid.“She’sratherwonderful,”shewenton.“Shethinksofthings,youknow.Shesuggestsideas.”
“What’sthisGretalike?”Iasked.
“Oh,Greta’sbeautiful,”shesaid.“Tallandblonde.Shecandoanything.”
“Idon’tthinkI’dlikeher,”Isaid.
Ellielaughed.
“Ohyesyouwould.I’msureyouwould.She’sveryclever,too.”
“Idon’tlikeclevergirls,”Isaid.“AndIdon’tliketallblondegirls.Ilikesmallgirlswithhairlikeautumnleaves.”
“Ibelieveyou’rejealousofGreta,”saidEllie.
“PerhapsIam.You’reveryfondofher,aren’tyou?”
“Yes,Iamveryfondofher.She’smadeallthedifferenceinmylife.”
“Anditwasshewhosuggestedyouwentdownthere.Why,Iwonder?There’snotmuchtoseeordointhatpartoftheworld.Ifinditrathermysterious.”
“It’soursecret,”saidEllieandlookedembarrassed.
“YoursandGreta’s?Tellme.”
Sheshookherhead.“Imusthavesomesecretsofmyown,”shesaid.
“DoesyourGretaknowyou’remeetingme?”
“SheknowsI’mmeetingsomeone.That’sall.Shedoesn’taskquestions.SheknowsI’mhappy.”
AfterthattherewasaweekwhenIdidn’tseeEllie.HerstepmotherhadcomebackfromParis,alsosomeonewhomshecalledUncleFrank,andsheexplainedalmostcasuallythatshewashavingabirthday,andthattheyweregivingabigpartyforherinLondon.
“Ishan’tbeabletogetaway,”shesaid.“Notforthenextweek.Butafterthat—afterthat,it’llbedifferent.”
“Whywillitbedifferentafterthat?”
“IshallbeabletodowhatIlikethen.”
“WithGreta’shelpasusual?”Isaid
ItusedtomakeEllielaughthewayItalkedaboutGreta.She’dsay,“You’resosillytobejealousofher.Onedayyoumustmeether.You’lllikeher.”
“Idon’tlikebossygirls,”Isaidobstinately.
“Whydoyouthinkshe’sbossy?”
“Bythewayyoutalkabouther.She’salwaysbusyarrangingsomething.”
“She’sveryefficient,”saidEllie.“Shearrangesthingsverywell.That’swhymystepmotherreliesonhersomuch.”
IaskedwhatherUncleFrankwaslike.
Shesaid,“Idon’tknowhimreallysoverywell.Hewasmyfather’ssister’shusband,notarealrelation.Ithinkhe’salwaysbeenratherarollingstoneandgotintotroubleonceortwice.Youknowthewaypeopletalkaboutsomeoneandsortofhintthings.”
“Notsociallyacceptable?”Iasked.“Badlot?”
“Oh,nothingreallybadIthink,butheusedtogetintoscrapes,Ibelieve.Financialones.Andtrusteesandlawyersandpeopleusedtohavetogethimoutofthem.Payupforthings.”
“That’sit,”Isaid.“He’sthebadhatofthefamily.IexpectI’dgetonbetterwithhimthanIwouldwiththeparagonGreta.”
“Hecanmakehimselfveryagreeablewhenhelikes,”saidEllie.“He’sgoodcompany.”
“Butyoudon’treallylikehim?”Iaskedsharply.
“IthinkIdo…It’sjustthatsometimes,ohIcan’texplainit.IjustfeelIdon’tknowwhathe’sthinkingorplanning.”
“Oneofourplanners,ishe?”
“Idon’tknowwhathe’sreallylike,”saidEllieagain.
Shedidn’teversuggestthatIshouldmeetanyofherfamily.IwonderedsometimesifIoughttosaysomethingaboutitmyself.Ididn’tknowhowshefeltaboutthesubject.Iaskedherstraightoutatlast.
“Lookhere,Ellie,”Isaid,“doyouthinkIoughtto—meetyourfamilyorwouldyouratherIdidn’t?”
“Idon’twantyoutomeetthem,”shesaidatonce.
“IknowI’mnotmuch—”Isaid.
“Idon’tmeanitthatway,notabit!Imeanthey’dmakeafuss.Ican’tstandafuss.”
“Isometimesfeel,”Isaid,“thatthisisratheraholeandcornerbusiness.Itputsmeinaratherbadlight,don’tyouthink?”
“I’moldenoughtohavemyownfriends,”saidEllie.“I’mnearlytwenty-one.WhenIamtwenty-oneIcanhavemyownfriendsandnobodycanstopme.Butnowyousee—well,asIsaythere’dbeaterriblefussandthey’dcartmeoffsomewheresothatIcouldn’tmeetyou.There’dbe—ohdo,dolet’sgoonaswearenow.”
“Suitsmeifitsuitsyou,”Isaid.“Ijustdidn’twanttobe,well,toounderhandabouteverything.”
“It’snotbeingunderhand.It’sjusthavingafriendonecantalktoandsaythingsto.It’ssomeoneonecan—”shesmiledsuddenly,“onecanmake-believewith.Youdon’tknowhowwonderfulthatis.”
Yes,therewasalotofthat—make-believe!Moreandmoreourtimestogetherweretoturnoutthatway.Sometimesitwasme.MoreoftenitwasElliewho’dsay,“Let’ssupposethatwe’veboughtGipsy’sAcreandthatwe’rebuildingahousethere.”
IhadtoldheralotaboutSantonixandaboutthehouseshe’dbuilt.Itriedtodescribetoherthekindofhousestheywereandthewayhethoughtaboutthings.Idon’tthinkIdescribeditverywellbecauseI’mnotgoodatdescribingthings.Ellienodoubthadherownpictureofthehouse—ourhouse.Wedidn’tsay“ourhouse”butweknewthat’swhatwemeant….
SoforoveraweekIwasn’ttoseeEllie.IhadtakenoutwhatsavingsIhad(thereweren’tmany),andI’dboughtheralittlegreenshamrockringmadeofsomeIrishbogstone.I’dgivenittoherforabirthdaypresentandshe’dloveditandlookedveryhappy.
“It’sbeautiful,”shesaid.
Shedidn’twearmuchjewelleryandwhenshedidIhadnodoubtitwasrealdiamondsandemeraldsandthingslikethatbutshelikedmyIrishring.
“ItwillbethebirthdaypresentIlikebest,”shesaid.
ThenIgotahurriednotefromher.ShewasgoingabroadwithherfamilytotheSouthofFranceimmediatelyafterherbirthday.
“Butdon’tworry,”shewrote,“weshallbebackagainintwoorthreeweeks”time,onourwaytoAmericathistime.Butanywaywe’llmeetagainthen.I’vegotsomethingspecialIwanttotalktoyouabout.”
IfeltrestlessandillateasenotseeingEllieandknowingshe’dgoneabroadtoFrance.IhadabitofnewsabouttheGipsy’sAcrepropertytoo.Apparentlyithadbeensoldbyprivatetreatybuttherewasn’tmuchinformationaboutwho’dboughtit.SomefirmofLondonsolicitorsapparentlywerenamedasthepurchasers.Itriedtogetmoreinformationaboutit,butIcouldn’t.Thefirminquestionwereverycagey.NaturallyIdidn’tapproachtheprincipals.Ipalleduptooneoftheirclerksandsogotalittlevagueinformation.Ithadbeenboughtforaveryrichclientwhowasgoingtoholditasagoodinvestmentcapableofappreciationwhenthelandinthatpartofthecountrywasbecomingmoredeveloped.
It’sveryhardtofindoutaboutthingswhenyou’redealingwithreallyexclusivefirms.EverythingisasmuchofadeadlysecretasthoughtheywereM.I.5orsomething!Everyoneisalwaysactingonbehalfofsomeoneelsewhocan’tbenamedorspokenof!Takeoverbidsaren’tinit!
Igotintoaterriblestateofrestlessness.IstoppedthinkingaboutitallandIwentandsawmymother.
Ihadn’tbeentoseeherforagoodlongtime.
Six
Mymotherlivedinthesamestreetshehadlivedinforthelasttwentyyears,astreetofdrabhousesallhighlyrespectableanddevoidofanykindofbeautyorinterest.Thefrontdoorstepwasnicelywhitenedanditlookedjustthesameasusual.ItwasNo.46.Ipressedthefrontdoorbell.Mymotheropenedthedoorandstoodtherelookingatme.Shelookedjustthesameasusual,too.Tallandangular,greyhairpartedinthemiddle,mouthlikearattrap,andeyesthatwereeternallysuspicious.Shelookedhardasnails.ButwhereIwasconcernedtherewasacoreofsoftnesssomewhereinher.Shenevershowedit,notifshecouldhelpit,butI’dfoundoutthatitwasthere.She’dneverstoppedforamomentwantingmetobedifferentbutherwisheswerenevergoingtocometrue.Therewasaperpetualstateofstalematebetweenus.
“Oh,”shesaid,“soit’syou.”
“Yes,”Isaid,“it’sme.”
ShedrewbackalittletoletmepassandIcameintothehouseandwentonpastthesittingroomdoorandintothekitchen.Shefollowedmeandstoodlookingatme.
“It’sbeenquitealongtime,”shesaid.“Whathaveyoubeendoing?”
Ishruggedmyshoulders.
“Thisandthat,”Isaid.
“Ah,”saidmymother,“asusual,eh?”
“Asusual,”Iagreed.
“HowmanyjobshaveyouhadsinceIsawyoulast?”
Ithoughtaminute.“Five,”Isaid.
“Iwishyou’dgrowup.”
“I’mfullyadult,”Isaid.“Ihavechosenmywayoflife.Howhavethingsbeenwithyou?”Iadded.
“Alsoasusual,”saidmymother.
“Quitewellandallthat?”
“I’venotimetowastebeingill,”saidmymother.Thenshesaidabruptly,“Whathaveyoucomefor?”
“ShouldIhavecomeforanythinginparticular?”
“Youusuallydo.”
“Idon’tseewhyyoushoulddisapprovesostronglyofmyseeingtheworld,”Isaid.
“DrivingluxuriouscarsallovertheContinent!Isthatyourideaofseeingtheworld?”
“Certainly.”
“Youwon’tmakemuchofasuccessinthat.Notifyouthrowupthejobataday’snoticeandgosick,dumpingyourclientsinsomeheathentown.”
“Howdidyouknowaboutthat?”
“Yourfirmrangup.TheywantedtoknowifIknewyouraddress.”
“Whatdidtheywantmefor?”
“TheywantedtoreemployyouIsuppose,”saidmymother.“Ican’tthinkwhy.”
“BecauseI’magooddriverandtheclientslikeme.Anyway,Icouldn’thelpitifIwentsick,couldI?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidmymother.
HerviewclearlywasthatIcouldhavehelpedit.
“Whydidn’tyoureporttothemwhenyougotbacktoEngland?”
“BecauseIhadotherfishtofry,”Isaid.
Sheraisedhereyebrows.“Morenotionsinyourhead?Morewildideas?Whatjobshaveyoubeendoingsince?”
“Petrolpump.Mechanicinagarage.Temporaryclerk,washer-upinasleazynightclubrestaurant.”
“Goingdownthehillinfact,”saidmymotherwithakindofgrimsatisfaction.
“Notatall,”Isaid.“It’sallpartoftheplan.Myplan!”
Shesighed.“Whatwouldyoulike,teaorcoffee?I’vegotboth.”
Iplumpedforcoffee.I’vegrownoutofthetea-drinkinghabit.Wesattherewithourcupsinfrontofusandshetookahome-madecakeoutofatinandcutuseachaslice.
“You’redifferent,”shesaid,suddenly.
“Me,how?”
“Idon’tknow,butyou’redifferent.What’shappened?”
“Nothing’shappened.Whatshouldhavehappened?”
“You’reexcited,”shesaid.
“I’mgoingtorobabank,”Isaid.
Shewasnotinthemoodtobeamused.Shemerelysaid:
“No,I’mnotafraidofyourdoingthat.”
“Whynot?Seemsaveryeasywayofgettingrichquicklynowadays.”
“Itwouldneedtoomuchwork,”shesaid.“Andalotofplanning.Morebrainworkthanyou’dliketohavetodo.Notsafeenough,either.”
“Youthinkyouknowallaboutme,”Isaid.
“No,Idon’t.Idon’treallyknowanythingaboutyou,becauseyouandIareasdifferentaschalkandcheese.ButIknowwhenyou’reuptosomething.You’reuptosomethingnow.Whatisit,Micky?Isitagirl?”
“Whyshouldyouthinkit’sagirl?”
“I’vealwaysknownitwouldhappensomeday.”
“Whatdoyoumeanby‘someday?’I’vehadlotsofgirls.”
“NotthewayImean.It’sonlybeenthewayofayoungmanwithnothingtodo.You’vekeptyourhandinwithgirlsbutyou’veneverbeenreallyserioustillnow.”
“ButyouthinkI’mseriousnow?”
“Isitagirl,Micky?”
Ididn’tmeethereyes.Ilookedawayandsaid,“Inaway.”
“Whatkindofagirlisshe?”
“Therightkindforme,”Isaid.
“Areyougoingtobringhertoseeme?”
“No,”Isaid.
“It’slikethat,isit?”
“No,itisn’t.Idon’twanttohurtyourfeelingsbut—”
“You’renothurtingmyfeelings.Youdon’twantmetoseeherincaseIshouldsaytoyou‘Don’t.’Isthatit?”
“Iwouldn’tpayanyattentionifyoudid.”
“Maybenot,butitwouldshakeyou.ItwouldshakeyousomewhereinsidebecauseyoutakenoticeofwhatIsayandthink.TherearethingsI’veguessedaboutyou—andmaybeI’veguessedrightandyouknowit.I’mtheonlypersonintheworldwhocanshakeyourconfidenceinyourself.Isthisgirlabadlotwho’sgotholdofyou?”
“Badlot?”Isaidandlaughed.“Ifyouonlysawher!Youmakemelaugh.”
“Whatdoyouwantfromme?Youwantsomething.Youalwaysdo.”
“Iwantsomemoney,”Isaid.
“Youwon’tgetitfromme.Whatdoyouwantitfor—tospendonthisgirl?”
“No,”Isaid,“Iwanttobuyafirst-classsuittogetmarriedin.”
“You’regoingtomarryher?”
“Ifshe’llhaveme.”
Thatshookher.
“Ifyou’donlytellmesomething!”shesaid.“You’vegotitbadly,Icanseethat.It’sthethingIalwaysfeared,thatyou’dchoosethewronggirl.”
“Wronggirl!Hell!”Ishouted.Iwasangry.
IwentoutofthehouseandIbangedthedoor.
Seven
WhenIgothometherewasatelegramwaitingforme—ithadbeensentfromAntibes.
Meetmetomorrowfour-thirtyusualplace.
Elliewasdifferent.Isawitatonce.WemetasalwaysinRegent’sParkandatfirstwewereabitstrangeandawkwardwitheachother.IhadsomethingIwasgoingtosaytoherandIwasinabitofastateastohowtoputit.Isupposeanymaniswhenhecomestothepointofproposingmarriage.
Andshewasstrangeaboutsomethingtoo.PerhapsshewasconsideringthenicestandkindestwayofsayingNotome.ButsomehowIdidn’tthinkthat.MywholebeliefinlifewasbasedonthefactthatEllielovedme.Buttherewasanewindependenceabouther,anewconfidenceinherselfwhichIcouldhardlyfeelwassimplybecauseshewasayearolder.Onemorebirthdaycan’tmakethatdifferencetoagirl.SheandherfamilyhadbeenintheSouthofFranceandshetoldmealittleaboutit.Andthenratherawkwardlyshesaid:
“I—Isawthathousethere,theoneyoutoldmeabout.Theonethatarchitectfriendofyourshadbuilt.”
“What—Santonix?”
“Yes.Wewenttheretolunchoneday.”
“Howdidyoudothat?Doesyourstepmotherknowthemanwholivesthere?”
“DmitriConstantine?Well—notexactlybutshemethimand—well—Gretafixeditupforustogothereasamatteroffact.”
“Gretaagain,”Isaid,allowingtheusualexasperationtocomeintomyvoice
“Itoldyou,”shesaid,“Gretaisverygoodatarrangingthings.”
“Ohallright.Soshearrangedthatyouandyourstepmother—”
“AndUncleFrank,”saidEllie.
“Quiteafamilyparty,”Isaid,“andGretatoo,Isuppose.”
“Well,no,Gretadidn’tcomebecause,well—”Elliehesitated,“—Cora,mystepmother,doesn’ttreatGretaexactlylikethat.”
“She’snotoneofthefamily,she’sapoorrelation,isshe?”Isaid.“Justtheaupairgirl,infact.Gretamustresentbeingtreatedthatwaysometimes.”
“She’snotanaupairgirl,she’sakindofcompaniontome.”
“Achaperone,”Isaid,“acicerone,aduenna,agoverness.Therearelotsofwords.”
“Ohdobequiet,”saidEllie,“Iwanttotellyou.IknownowwhatyoumeanaboutyourfriendSantonix.It’sawonderfulhouse.It’s—it’squitedifferent.Icanseethatifhebuiltahouseforusitwouldbeawonderfulhouse.”
Shehadusedthewordquiteunconsciously.Us,shehadsaid.ShehadgonetotheRivieraandhadmadeGretaarrangethingssoastoseethehouseIhaddescribed,becauseshewantedtovisualizemoreclearlythehousethatwewould,inthedreamworldwe’dbuiltourselves,havebuiltforusbyRudolfSantonix.
“I’mgladyoufeltlikethataboutit,”Isaid.
Shesaid:“Whathaveyoubeendoing?”
“Justmydulljob,”Isaid,“andI’vebeentoaracemeetingandIputsomemoneyonanoutsider.Thirtytoone.IputeverypennyIhadonitanditwonbyalength.Whosaysmyluckisn’tin?”
“I’mgladyouwon,”saidEllie,butshesaiditwithoutexcitement,becauseputtingallyouhadintheworldonanoutsiderandtheoutsiderwinningdidn’tmeananythingtoEllie’sworld.Notthekindofthingitmeantinmine.
“AndIwenttoseemymother,”Iadded.
“You’veneverspokenmuchofyourmother.”
“WhyshouldI?”Isaid.
“Aren’tyoufondofher?”
Iconsidered.“Idon’tknow,”Isaid.“SometimesIdon’tthinkIam.Afterall,onegrowsupand—outgrowsparents.Mothersandfathers.”
“Ithinkyoudocareabouther,”saidEllie.“Youwouldn’tbesouncertainwhenyoutalkaboutherotherwise.”
“I’mafraidofherinaway,”Isaid.“Sheknowsmetoowell.Sheknowstheworstofme,Imean.”
“Somebodyhasto,”saidEllie.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“There’sasayingbysomegreatwriterorotherthatnomanisaherotohisvalet.Perhapseveryoneoughttohaveavalet.Itmustbesohardotherwise,alwayslivinguptopeople’sgoodopinionofone.”
“Well,youcertainlyhaveideas,Ellie,”Isaid.Itookherhand.“Doyouknowallaboutme?”Isaid.
“Ithinkso,”saidEllie.Shesaiditquitecalmlyandsimply.
“Inevertoldyoumuch.”
“Youmeanyounevertoldmeanythingatall,youalwaysclammedup.That’sdifferent.ButIknowquitewellwhatyouarelike,youyourself.”
“Iwonderifyoudo,”Isaid.Iwenton,“ItsoundsrathersillysayingIloveyou.Itseemstoolateforthat,doesn’tit?Imean,you’veknownaboutitalongtime,practicallyfromthebeginning,haven’tyou?”
“Yes,”saidEllie,“andyouknew,too,didn’tyou,aboutme?”
“Thethingis,”Isaid,“whatarewegoingtodoaboutit?It’snotgoingtobeeasy,Ellie.YouknowprettywellwhatIam,whatI’vedone,thesortoflifeI’veled.Iwentbacktoseemymotherandthegrim,respectablelittlestreetshelivesin.It’snotthesameworldasyours,Ellie.Idon’tknowthatwecanevermakethemmeet.”
“Youcouldtakemetoseeyourmother.”
“Yes,Icould,”Isaid,“butI’drathernot.Iexpectthatsoundsveryharshtoyou,perhapscruel,butyouseewe’vegottoleadaqueerlifetogether,youandI.It’snotgoingtobethelifethatyou’veledandit’snotgoingtobethelifethatI’veledeither.It’sgottobeanewlifewherewehaveasortofmeetinggroundbetweenmypovertyandignoranceandyourmoneyandcultureandsocialknowledge.Myfriendswillthinkyou’restuckupandyourfriendswillthinkI’msociallyunpresentable.Sowhatarewegoingtodo?”
“I’lltellyou,”saidEllie,“exactlywhatwe’regoingtodo.We’regoingtoliveonGipsy’sAcreinahouse—adreamhouse—thatyourfriendSantonixwillbuildforus.That’swhatwe’regoingtodo.”Sheadded,“We’llgetmarriedfirst.That’swhatyoumean,isn’tit?”
“Yes,”Isaid,“that’swhatImean.Ifyou’resureit’sallrightwithyou.”
“It’squiteeasy,”saidEllie,“wecangetmarriednextweek.I’mofage,yousee.IcandowhatIlikenow.Thatmakesallthedifference.Ithinkperhapsyou’rerightaboutrelations.Ishan’ttellmypeopleandyouwon’ttellyourmother,notuntilit’salloverandthentheycanthrowfitsanditwon’tmatter.”
“That’swonderful,”Isaid,“wonderful,Ellie.Butthere’sonething.Ihatetellingyouaboutit.Wecan’tliveatGipsy’sAcre,Ellie.Whereverwebuildourhouseitcan’tbetherebecauseit’ssold.”
“Iknowit’ssold,”saidEllie.Shewaslaughing.“Youdon’tunderstand,Mike.I’mthepersonwho’sboughtit.”
Eight
Isatthere,onthegrassbythestreamamongthewaterflowerswiththelittlepathsandthesteppingstonesallroundus.Agoodmanyotherpeopleweresittingroundaboutus,butwedidn’tnoticethemorevenseetheywerethere,becausewewerelikealltheothers.Youngcouples,talkingabouttheirfuture.Istaredatherandstaredather.Ijustcouldn’tspeak.
“Mike,”shesaid.“There’ssomething,somethingI’vegottotellyou.Somethingaboutme,Imean.”
“Youdon’tneedto,”Isaid,“noneedtotellmeanything.”
“Yes,butImust.IoughttohavetoldyoulongagobutIdidn’twanttobecause—becauseIthoughtitmightdriveyouaway.Butitexplainsinaway,aboutGipsy’sAcre.”
“Youboughtit?”Isaid.“Buthowdidyoubuyit?”
“Throughlawyers,”shesaid,“theusualway.It’saperfectlygoodinvestment,youknow.Thelandwillappreciate.Mylawyerswerequitehappyaboutit.”
ItwasoddsuddenlytohearEllie,thegentleandtimidEllie,speakingwithsuchknowledgeandconfidenceofthebusinessworldofbuyingandselling.
“Youboughtitforus?”
“Yes.Iwenttoalawyerofmyown,notthefamilyone.ItoldhimwhatIwantedtodo,Igothimtolookintoit,Igoteverythingsetupandintrain.Thereweretwootherpeopleafteritbuttheywerenotreallydesperateandtheywouldn’tgoveryhigh.TheimportantthingwasthatthewholethinghadtobesetupandarrangedreadyformetosignassoonasIcameofage.It’ssignedandfinished.”
“Butyoumusthavemadesomedepositorsomethingbeforehand.Hadyouenoughmoneytodothat?”
“No,”saidEllie,“no,Ihadn’tcontrolofmuchmoneybeforehand,butofcoursetherearepeoplewhowilladvanceyoumoney.Andifyougotoanewfirmoflegaladvisers,theywillwantyoutogoonemployingthemforbusinessdealsonceyou’vecomeintowhatmoneyyou’regoingtohavesothey’rewillingtotaketheriskthatyoumightdropdowndeadbeforeyourbirthdaycomes.”
“Yousoundsobusinesslike,”Isaid,“youtakemybreathaway!”
“Nevermindbusiness,”saidEllie,“I’vegottogetbacktowhatI’mtellingyou.InawayI’vetoldityoualready,butIdon’tsupposereallyyourealizeit.”
“Idon’twanttoknow,”Isaid.Myvoicerose,Iwasalmostshouting.“Don’ttellmeanything.Idon’twanttoknowanythingaboutwhatyou’vedoneorwhoyou’vebeenfondoforwhathashappenedtoyou.”
“It’snothingofthatkind,”shesaid.“Ididn’trealizethatthatwaswhatyouwerefearingitmightbe.No,there’snothingofthatkind.Nosexsecrets.There’snobodybutyou.ThethingisthatI’m—well—I’mrich.”
“Iknowthat,”Isaid,“you’vetoldmealready.”
“Yes,”saidElliewithafaintsmile,“andyousaidtome,‘poorlittlerichgirl.’Butinawayit’smorethanthat.Mygrandfather,yousee,wasenormouslyrich.Oil.Mostlyoil.Andotherthings.Thewiveshepaidalimonytoaredead,therewasonlymyfatherandmyselfleftbecausehistwoothersonswerekilled.OneinKoreaandoneinacaraccident.Andsoitwasallleftinagreatbighugetrustandwhenmyfatherdiedsuddenly,itallcametome.Myfatherhadmadeprovisionformystepmotherbefore,soshedidn’tgetanythingmore.Itwasallmine.I’m—actuallyoneoftherichestwomeninAmerica,Mike.”
“GoodLord,”Isaid.“Ididn’tknow…Yes,you’reright,Ididn’tknowitwaslikethat.”
“Ididn’twantyoutoknow.Ididn’twanttotellyou.ThatwaswhyIwasafraidwhenIsaidmyname—FenellaGoodman.WespellitG-u-t-e-m-a-n,andIthoughtyoumightknowthenameofGutemansoIslurredoveritandmadeitintoGoodman.”
“Yes,”Isaid,“I’veseenthenameGutemanvaguely.ButIdon’tthinkI’dhaverecognizediteventhen.Lotsofpeoplearecallednamesratherlikethat.”
“That’swhy,”shesaid,“I’vebeensohedgedaroundallthetimeandfencedin,andimprisoned.I’vehaddetectivesguardingmeandyoungmenbeingvettedbeforethey’reallowedeventospeaktome.WheneverI’vemadeafriendthey’vehadtobequitesureitwasn’tanunsuitableone.Youdon’tknowwhataterrible,terribleprisoner’slifeitis!Butnowthat’sallover,andifyoudon’tmind—”
“OfcourseIdon’tmind,”Isaid,“weshallhavelotsoffun.Infact,”Isaid,“youcouldn’tbetoorichagirlforme!”
Webothlaughed.Shesaid:“WhatIlikeaboutyouisthatyoucanbenaturalaboutthings.”
“Besides,”Isaid,“Iexpectyoupayalotoftaxonit,don’tyou?That’soneofthefewnicethingsaboutbeinglikeme.AnymoneyImakegoesintomypocketandnobodycantakeitawayfromme.”
“We’llhaveourhouse,”saidEllie,“ourhouseonGipsy’sAcre.”Justforamomentshegaveasuddenlittleshiver.
“You’renotcold,darling,”Isaid.Ilookedupatthesunshine.
“No,”shesaid.
Itwasreallyveryhot.We’dbeenbasking.ItmightalmosthavebeentheSouthofFrance.
“No,”saidEllie,“itwasjustthat—thatwoman,thatgipsythatday.”
“Oh,don’tthinkofher,”Isaid,“shewascrazyanyway.”
“Doyouthinkshereallythinksthere’sacurseontheland?”
“Ithinkgipsiesarelikethat.Youknow—alwayswantingtomakeasonganddanceaboutsomecurseorsomething.”
“Doyouknowmuchaboutgipsies?”
“Absolutelynothing,”Isaidtruthfully.“Ifyoudon’twantGipsy’sAcre,Ellie,we’llbuyahousesomewhereelse.OnthetopofamountaininWales,onthecoastofSpainoranItalianhillside,andSantonixcanbuildusahousetherejustaswell.”
“No,”saidEllie,“that’showIwantittobe.It’swhereIfirstsawyouwalkinguptheroad,comingroundthecornerverysuddenly,andthenyousawmeandstoppedandstaredatme.I’llneverforgetthat.”
“NorwillI,”Isaid.
“Sothat’swhereit’sgoingtobe.AndyourfriendSantonixwillbuildit.”
“Ihopehe’sstillalive,”Isaidwithanuneasypang.“Hewasasickman.”
“Ohyes,”saidEllie,“he’salive.Iwenttoseehim.”
“Youwenttoseehim?”
“Yes.WhenIwasintheSouthofFrance.Hewasinasanitoriumthere.”
“Everyminute,Ellie,youseemtobemoreandmoreamazing.Thethingsyoudoandmanage.”
“He’sratherawonderfulpersonIthink,”saidEllie,“butratherfrightening.”
“Didhefrightenyou?”
“Yes,hefrightenedmeverymuchforsomereason.”
“Didyoutalktohimaboutus?”
“Yes.Ohyes,ItoldhimallaboutusandaboutGipsy’sAcreandaboutthehouse.Hetoldmethenthatwe’dhavetotakeachancewithhim.He’saveryillman.Hesaidhethoughthestillhadthelifeleftinhimtogoandseethesite,todrawtheplans,tovisualizeitandgetitallsketchedout.Hesaidhewouldn’tmindreallyifhediedbeforethehousewasfinished,butItoldhim,”addedEllie,“thathemustn’tdiebeforethehousewasfinishedbecauseIwantedhimtoseeusliveinit.”
“Whatdidhesaytothat?”
“HeaskedmeifIknewwhatIwasdoingmarryingyou,andIsaidofcourseIdid.”
“Andthen?”
“Hesaidhewonderedifyouknewwhatyouweredoing.”
“Iknowallright,”Isaid.
“Hesaid‘Youwillalwaysknowwhereyou’regoing,MissGuteman.’Hesaid‘You’llbegoingalwayswhereyouwanttogoandbecauseit’syourchosenway.’
“‘ButMike,’hesaid,‘mighttakethewrongroad.Hehasn’tgrownupenoughyettoknowwherehe’sgoing.’
“Isaid,”saidEllie,“‘He’llbequitesafewithme.’”
Shehadsuperbself-confidence.IwasangrythoughatwhatSantonixhadsaid.Hewaslikemymother.ShealwaysseemedtoknowmoreaboutmethanIknewmyself.
“IknowwhereI’mgoing,”Isaid.“I’mgoingthewayIwanttogoandwe’regoingittogether.”
“They’vestartedpullingdowntheruinsofTheTowersalready,”saidEllie.
Shebegantotalkpractically.
“It’stobearushjobassoonastheplansarefinished.Wemusthurry.Santonixsaidso.ShallwebemarriednextTuesday?”saidEllie.“It’sanicedayoftheweek.”
“Withnobodyelsethere,”Isaid.
“ExceptGreta,”saidEllie.
“TohellwithGreta,”Isaid,“she’snotcomingtoourwedding.YouandIandnobodyelse.Wecanpullthenecessarywitnessesoutofthestreet.”
Ireallythink,lookingback,thatthatwasthehappiestdayofmylife….
BOOKTWO
Nine
Sothatwasthat,andEllieandIgotmarried.Itsoundsabruptjustputtingitlikethat,butyouseeitwasreallyjustthewaythingshappened.Wedecidedtobemarriedandwegotmarried.
Itwaspartofthewholething—notjustanendtoaromanticnovelorafairystory.“Andsotheygotmarriedandlivedhappilyeverafterwards.”Youcan’t,afterall,makeabigdramaoutoflivinghappilyeverafterwards.Weweremarriedandwewerebothhappyanditwasreallyquiteatimebeforeanyonegotontousandbegantomaketheusualdifficultiesandcommotionsandwe’dmadeupourmindstothose.
Thewholethingwasreallyextraordinarilysimple.InherdesireforfreedomElliehadcoveredhertracksverycleverlyuptonow.TheusefulGretahadtakenallthenecessarysteps,andwasalwaysonguardbehindher.AndIhadrealizedfairlysoononthattherewasnobodyreallywhosebusinessitwastocareterriblyaboutEllieandwhatshewasdoing.Shehadastepmotherwhowasengrossedinherownsociallifeandloveaffairs.IfElliedidn’twishtoaccompanyhertoanyparticularspotontheglobetherewasnoneedforEllietodoso.She’dhadallthepropergovernessesandladies’maidsandscholasticadvantagesandifshewantedtogotoEurope,whynot?Ifshechosetohavehertwenty-firstbirthdayinLondon,againwhynot?Nowthatshehadcomeintohervastfortuneshehadthewhiphandofherfamilyinsofarasspendinghermoneywent.Ifshe’dwantedavillaontheRivieraoracastleontheCostaBravaorayachtoranyofthosethings,shehadonlytomentionthefactandsomeoneamongtheretinuesthatsurroundedmillionaireswouldputeverythinginhandimmediately.
Greta,Igather,wasregardedbyherfamilyasanadmirablestooge.Competent,abletomakeallarrangementswiththeutmostefficiency,subservientnodoubtandcharmingtothestepmother,theuncleandafewoddcousinswhoseemedtobeknockingabout.Elliehadnofewerthanthreelawyersathercommand,fromwhatsheletfalleverynowandthen.Shewassurroundedbyavastfinancialnetworkofbankersandlawyersandtheadministratorsoftrustfunds.ItwasaworldthatIjustgotglimpsesofeverynowandthen,mostlyfromthingsthatEllieletfallcarelesslyinthecourseofconversation.Itdidn’toccurtoher,naturally,thatIwouldn’tknowaboutallthosethings.Shehadbeenbroughtupinthemidstofthemandshenaturallyconcludedthatthewholeworldknewwhattheywereandhowtheyworkedandalltherestofit.
Infact,gettingglimpsesofthespecialpeculiaritiesofeachother’sliveswereunexpectedlywhatweenjoyedmostinourearlymarriedlife.Toputitquitecrudely—andIdidputthingscrudelytomyself,forthatwastheonlywaytogettotermswithmynewlife—thepoordon’treallyknowhowtherichliveandtherichdon’tknowhowthepoorlive,andtofindoutisreallyenchantingtobothofthem.OnceIsaiduneasily:
“Lookhere,Ellie,istheregoingtobeanawfulschemozzleoverallthis,overourmarriage,Imean?”
Ellieconsideredwithout,Inoticed,verymuchinterest.
“Ohyes,”shesaid,“they’llprobablybeawful.”Andsheadded,“Ihopeyouwon’tmindtoomuch.”
“Iwon’tmind—whyshouldI?—Butyou,willtheybullyyouoverit?”
“Iexpectso,”saidEllie,“butoneneedn’tlisten.Thepointisthattheycan’tdoanything.”
“Butthey’lltry?”
“Ohyes,”saidEllie.“They’lltry.”Thensheaddedthoughtfully,“They’llprobablytryandbuyyouoff.”
“Buymeoff?”
“Don’tlooksoshocked,”saidEllie,andshesmiled,aratherhappylittlegirl’ssmile.“Itisn’tputexactlylikethat.”Thensheadded,“TheyboughtoffMinnieThompson’sfirst,youknow.”
“MinnieThompson?Isthattheonetheyalwayscalltheoilheiress?”
“Yes,that’sright.Sheranoffandmarriedalifeguardoffthebeach.”
“Lookhere,Ellie,”Isaiduneasily,“IwasalifeguardatLittlehamptononce.”
“Oh,wereyou?Whatfun!Permanently?”
“No,ofcoursenot.Justonesummer,that’sall.”
“Iwishyouwouldn’tworry,”saidEllie.
“WhathappenedaboutMinnieThompson?”
“Theyhadtogoupto200,000dollars,Ithink,”saidEllie,“hewouldn’ttakeless.Minniewasman-madandreallyahalf-wit,”sheadded.
“Youtakemybreathaway,Ellie,”Isaid.“I’venotonlyacquiredawife,I’vegotsomethingIcantradeforsolidcashatanytime.”
“That’sright,”saidEllie.“Sendforahigh-poweredlawyerandtellhimyou’rewillingtotalkturkey.Thenhefixesupthedivorceandtheamountofalimony,”saidEllie,continuingmyeducation.“Mystepmother’sbeenmarriedfourtimes,”sheadded,“andshe’smadequitealotoutofit.”Andthenshesaid,“Oh,Mike,don’tlooksoshocked.”
ThefunnythingisthatIwasshocked.Ifeltapriggishdistasteforthecorruptionofmodernsocietyinitsricherphases.Therehadbeensomethingsolittle-girl-likeaboutEllie,sosimple,almosttouchinginherattitudethatIwasastonishedtofindhowwellupshewasinworldlyaffairsandhowmuchshetookforgranted.AndyetIknewthatIwasrightaboutherfundamentally.IknewquitewellthekindofcreaturethatElliewas.Hersimplicity,heraffection,hernaturalsweetness.Thatdidn’tmeanshehadtobeignorantofthings.Whatshedidknowandtookforgrantedwasafairlylimitedsliceofhumanity.Shedidn’tknowmuchaboutmyworld,theworldofscroungingforjobs,ofracecoursegangsanddopegangs,theroughandtumbledangersoflife,thesharp-AleckflashytypethatIknewsowellfromlivingamongstthemallmylife.Shedidn’tknowwhatitwastobebroughtupdecentandrespectablebutalwayshardupformoney,withamotherwhoworkedherfingerstotheboneinthenameofrespectability,determiningthathersonshoulddowellinlife.Everypennyscrimpedforandsaved,andthebitternesswhenyourgaycarefreesonthrewawayhischancesorgambledhisallonagoodtipforthe3:30.
SheenjoyedhearingaboutmylifeasmuchasIenjoyedhearingabouthers.Bothofuswereexploringaforeigncountry.
LookingbackIseewhatawonderfullyhappylifeitwas,thoseearlydayswithEllie.AtthetimeItookthemforgrantedandsodidshe.WeweremarriedinaregistryofficeinPlymouth.Gutemanisnotanuncommonname.Nobody,reportersorotherwise,knewtheGutemanheiresswasinEngland.Therehadbeenvagueparagraphsinpapersoccasionally,describingherasinItalyoronsomeone’syacht.WeweremarriedintheRegistrar’sofficewithhisclerkandamiddle-agedtypistaswitnesses.Hegaveusaseriouslittleharangueontheseriousresponsibilitiesofmarriedlife,andwishedushappiness.Thenwewentout,freeandmarried.Mr.andMrs.MichaelRogers!Wespentaweekinaseasidehotelandthenwewentabroad.Wehadagloriousthreeweekstravellingaboutwhereverthefancytookusandnoexpensespared.
WewenttoGreeceandwewenttoFlorence,andtoVeniceandlayontheLido,thentotheFrenchRivieraandthentotheDolomites.HalftheplacesIforgetthenamesofnow.Wetookplanesorcharteredayachtorhiredlargeandhandsomecars.Andwhileweenjoyedourselves,Greta,IgatheredfromEllie,wasstillontheHomeFrontdoingherstuff
Travellingaboutinherownway,sendinglettersandforwardingallthevariouspost-cardsandlettersthatElliehadleftwithher.
“There’llbeadayofreckoning,ofcourse,”saidEllie.“They’llcomedownonuslikeacloudofvultures.Butwemightaswellenjoyourselvesuntilthathappens.”
“WhataboutGreta?”Isaid.“Won’ttheyberatherangrywithherwhentheyfindout?”
“Oh,ofcourse,”saidEllie,“butGretawon’tmind.She’stough.”
“Mightn’titstophergettinganotherjob?”
“Whyshouldshegetanotherjob?”saidEllie.“She’llcomeandlivewithus.”
“No!”Isaid.
“Whatdoyoumean,no,Mike?”
“Wedon’twantanyonelivingwithus,”Isaid.
“Gretawouldn’tbeintheway,”saidEllie,“andshe’dbeveryuseful.Really,Idon’tknowwhatI’ddowithouther.Imean,shemanagesandarrangeseverything.”
Ifrowned.“Idon’tthinkI’dlikethat.Besides,wewantourownhouse—ourdreamhouse,afterall,Ellie—wewantittoourselves.”
“Yes,”saidEllie,“Iknowwhatyoumean.Butallthesame—”Shehesitated.“Imean,itwouldbeveryhardonGretanottohaveanywheretolive.Afterall,she’sbeenwithme,doneeverythingformeforfouryearsnow.Andlookhowshe’shelpedmetogetmarriedandallthat.”
“Iwon’thaveherbuttinginbetweenusallthetime!”
“Butshe’snotlikethatatall,Mike.Youhaven’tevenmetheryet.”
“No.No,IknowIhaven’tbut—butit’snothingtodowith,ohwithlikingherornot.Wewanttobebyourselves,Ellie.”
“DarlingMike,”saidElliesoftly.
Weleftitatthatforthemoment.
DuringthecourseofourtravelswehadmetSantonix.ThatwasinGreece.Hehadbeeninasmallfisherman’scottagenearthesea.Iwasstartledbyhowillhelooked,muchworsethanwhenIhadseenhimayearago.HegreetedbothEllieandmyselfverywarmly.
“Soyou’vedoneit,youtwo,”hesaid.
“Yes,”saidEllie,“andnowwe’regoingtohaveourhousebuilt,aren’twe?”
“I’vegotthedrawingsforyouhere,theplans,”hesaidtome.“She’stoldyou,hasn’tshe,howshecameandferretedmeoutandgavemeher—commands,”hesaid,choosingthewordsthoughtfully.
“Oh!notcommands,”saidEllie.“Ijustpleaded.”
“Youknowwe’veboughtthesite?”Isaid.
“Elliewiredandtoldme.Shesentmedozensofphotographs.”
“Ofcourseyou’vegottocomeandseeitfirst,”saidEllie.“Youmightn’tlikethesite.”
“Idolikeit.”
“Youcan’treallyknowtillyou’veseenit.”
“ButIhaveseenit,child.Iflewoverfivedaysago.Imetoneofyourhatchet-facedlawyersthere—theEnglishone.”
“Mr.Crawford?”
“That’stheman.Infact,operationshavealreadystarted:clearingtheground,removingtheruinsoftheoldhouse,foundations—drains—WhenyougetbacktoEnglandI’llbetheretomeetyou.”Hegotouthisplansthenandwesattalkingandlookingatourhousetobe.Therewasevenaroughwater-coloursketchofitaswellasthearchitecturalelevationsandplans.
“Doyoulikeit,Mike?”
Idrewadeepbreath.
“Yes,”Isaid,“that’sit.That’sabsolutelyit.”
“Youusedtotalkaboutitenough,Mike.WhenIwasinafancifulmoodIusedtothinkthatpieceoflandhadlaidaspelluponyou.Youwereamaninlovewithahousethatyoumightneverown,thatyoumightneversee,thatmightneverevenbebuilt.”
“Butit’sgoingtobebuilt,”saidEllie.“It’sgoingtobebuilt,isn’tit?”
“IfGodorthedevilwillsit,”saidSantonix.“Itdoesn’tdependonme.”
“You’renotany—anybetter?”Iaskeddoubtfully.
“Getitintoyourthickhead.Ishallneverbebetter.That’snotonthecards.”
“Nonsense,”Isaid.“Peoplearefindingcuresforthingsallthetime.Doctorsaregloomybrutes.Theygivepeopleupfordeadandthenthepeoplelaughandcockasnookatthemandliveforanotherfiftyyears.”
“Iadmireyouroptimism,Mike,butmymaladyisn’toneofthatkind.Theytakeyoutohospitalandgiveyouachangeofbloodandbackyoucomeagainwithalittleleewayoflife,alittlespanoftimegained.Andsoon,gettingweakereachtime.”
“Youareverybrave,”saidEllie.
“Ohno,I’mnotbrave.Whenathingiscertainthere’snothingtobebraveabout.Allyoucandoisfindyourconsolation.”
“Buildinghouses?”
“No,notthat.You’velessvitalityallthetime,yousee,andthereforebuildinghousesbecomesmoredifficult,noteasier.Thestrengthkeepsgivingout.No.Butthereareconsolations.Sometimesveryqueerones.”
“Idon’tunderstandyou,”Isaid.
“No,youwouldn’t,Mike.Idon’tknowreallythatElliewould.Shemight.”Hewenton,speakingnotsomuchtousastohimself.“Twothingsruntogether,sidebyside.Weaknessandstrength.Theweaknessoffadingvitalityandthestrengthoffrustratedpower.Itdoesn’tmatter,yousee,whatyoudonow!You’regoingtodieanyway.Soyoucandoanythingyouchoose.There’snothingtodeteryou,there’snothingtoholdyouback.IcouldwalkthroughthestreetsofAthensshootingdowneverymanorwomanwhosefaceIdidn’tlike.Thinkofthat.”
“Thepolicecouldarrestyoujustthesame,”Ipointedout.
“Ofcoursetheycould.Butwhatcouldtheydo?Atthemosttakemylife.Wellmylife’sgoingtobetakenbyagreaterpowerthanthelawinaveryshorttime.Whatelsecouldtheydo?Sendmetoprisonfortwenty—thirtyyears?That’sratherironical,isn’tit,therearen’ttwentyorthirtyyearsformetoserve.Sixmonths—oneyear—eighteenmonthsattheutmost.There’snothinganyonecandotome.Sointhespanthat’slefttomeIamking.IcandowhatIlike.Sometimesit’saveryheadythought.Only—only,yousee,there’snotmuchtemptationbecausethere’snothingparticularlyexoticorlawlessthatIwanttodo.”
Afterwehadlefthim,asweweredrivingbacktoAthens,Elliesaidtome:
“He’sanoddperson.Sometimesyouknow,Ifeelfrightenedofhim.”
“Frightened,ofRudolfSantonix—why?”
“Becauseheisn’tlikeotherpeopleandbecausehehasa—Idon’tknow—aruthlessnessandanarroganceabouthimsomewhere.AndIthinkthathewastryingtotellus,really,thatknowinghe’sgoingtodiesoonhasincreasedhisarrogance.Supposing,”saidEllie,lookingatmeinananimatedway,withalmostaraptandemotionalexpressiononherface,“supposinghebuiltusourlovelycastle,ourlovelyhouseonthecliff’sedgethereinthepines,supposingwewerecomingtoliveinit.Therehewasonthedoorstepandhewelcomedusinandthen—”
“Well,Ellie?”
“Thensupposinghecameinafterus,heslowlyclosedthedoorwaybehindusandsacrificedusthereonthethreshold.Cutourthroatsorsomething.”
“Youfrightenme,Ellie.Thethingsyouthinkof!”
“Thetroublewithyouandme,Mike,isthatwedon’tliveintherealworld.Wedreamoffantasticthingsthatmayneverhappen.”
“Don’tthinkofsacrificesinconnectionwithGipsy’sAcre.”
“It’sthename,Isuppose,andthecurseuponit.”
“Thereisn’tanycurse,”Ishouted.“It’sallnonsense.Forgetit.”
ThatwasinGreece.
Ten
Itwas,Ithink,thedayafterthat.WewereinAthens.Suddenly,onthestepsoftheAcropolisEllieranintopeoplethatsheknew.TheyhadcomeashorefromoneoftheHelleniccruises.Awomanofaboutthirty-fivedetachedherselffromthegroupandrushedalongthestepstoEllieexclaiming:
“Why,Ineverdid.It’sreallyyou,EllieGuteman?Well,whatareyoudoinghere?I’dnoidea.Areyouonacruise?”
“No,”saidEllie,“juststayinghere.”
“My,butit’slovelytoseeyou.How’sCora,isshehere?”
“No,CoraisatSalzburgIbelieve.”
“Well,well.”ThewomanwaslookingatmeandElliesaidquietly,“Letmeintroduce—Mr.Rogers,Mrs.Bennington.”
“Howd’youdo.Howlongareyouherefor?”
“I’mleavingtomorrow,”saidEllie.
“Ohdear!My,I’lllosemypartyifIdon’tgo,andIjustdon’twanttomissawordofthelectureandthedescriptions.Theydohustleoneabit,youknow.I’mjustdeadbeatattheendoftheday.Anychanceofmeetingyouforadrink?”
“Nottoday,”saidEllie,“we’regoingonanexcursion.”
Mrs.Benningtonrushedofftorejoinherparty.Ellie,whohadbeengoingwithmeupthestepsoftheAcropolis,turnedroundandmoveddownagain.
“Thatrathersettlesthings,doesn’tit?”shesaidtome.
“Whatdoesitsettle?”
Elliedidnotanswerforaminuteortwoandthenshesaidwithasigh,“Imustwritetonight.”
“Writetowhom?”
“Oh,toCora,andtoUncleFrank,Isuppose,andUncleAndrew.”
“Who’sUncleAndrew?He’sanewone.”
“AndrewLippincott.Notreallyanuncle.He’smyprincipalguardianortrusteeorwhateveryoucallit.He’salawyer—averywell-knownone.”
“Whatareyougoingtosay?”
“I’mgoingtotellthemI’mmarried.Icouldn’tsaysuddenlytoNoraBennington‘Letmeintroducemyhusband.’Therewouldhavebeenfrightfulshrieksandexclamationsand‘Ineverheardyouweremarried.Tellmeallaboutit,darling’etcetera,etcetera.It’sonlyfairthatmystepmotherandUncleFrankandUncleAndrewshouldbethefirsttoknow.”Shesighed.“Ohwell,we’vehadalovelytimeuptonow.”
“Whatwilltheysayordo?”Iasked.
“Makeafuss,Iexpect,”saidEllie,inherplacidway.“Itdoesn’tmatteriftheydoandthey’llhavesenseenoughtoknowthat.We’llhavetohaveameeting,Iexpect.WecouldgotoNewYork.Wouldyoulikethat?”Shelookedatmeinquiringly.
“No,”Isaid,“Ishouldn’tlikeitintheleast.”
“Thenthey’llcometoLondonprobably,orsomeofthemwill.Idon’tknowifyou’dlikethatanybetter.”
“Ishouldn’tlikeanyofit.IwanttobewithyouandseeourhousegoingupbrickbybrickassoonasSantonixgetsthere.”
“Sowecan,”saidEllie.“Afterall,meetingswiththefamilywon’ttakelong.Possiblyjustonebigsplendidrowwoulddo.Getitoverinone.Eitherweflyoverthereortheyflyoverhere.”
“IthoughtyousaidyourstepmotherwasatSalzburg.”
“Oh,Ijustsaidthat.ItsoundedoddtosayIdidn’tknowwhereshewas.Yes,”saidElliewithasigh,“we’llgohomeandmeetthemall.Mike,Ihopeyouwon’tmindtoomuch.”
“Mindwhat—yourfamily?”
“Yes.Youwon’tmindifthey’renastytoyou.”
“Isupposeit’sthepriceIhavetopayformarryingyou,”Isaid.“I’llbearit.”
“There’syourmother,”saidElliethoughtfully.
“Forheaven’ssake,Ellie,you’renotgoingtotryandarrangeameetingbetweenyourstepmotherinherfrillsandherfurbelowsandmymotherfromherbackstreet.Whatdoyouthinkthey’dhavetosaytoeachother?”
“IfCorawasmyownmothertheymighthavequitealottosaytoeachother,”saidEllie.“Iwishyouwouldn’tbesoobsessedwithclassdistinctions,Mike!”
“Me!”Isaidincredulously.“What’syourAmericanphrase—Icomefromthewrongsideofthetracks,don’tI?”
“Youdon’twanttowriteitonaplacardandputitonyourself.”
“Idon’tknowtherightclothestowear,”Isaidbitterly.“Idon’tknowtherightwaytotalkaboutthingsandIdon’tknowanythingreallyaboutpicturesorartormusic.I’monlyjustlearningwhototipandhowmuchtogive.”
“Don’tyouthink,Mike,thatthatmakesitallmuchmoreexcitingforyou?Ithinkso.”
“Anyway,”Isaid,“you’renottodragmymotherintoyourfamilyparty.”
“Iwasn’tproposingtodraganyoneintoanything,butIthink,Mike,IoughttogoandseeyourmotherwhenwegobacktoEngland.”
“No,”Isaidexplosively.
Shelookedatmeratherstartled.
“Whynot,Mike,though?Imean,apartfromanythingelse,Imeanit’sjustveryrudenotto.Haveyoutoldheryou’remarried?”
“Notyet.”
“Whynot?”
Ididn’tanswer.
“Wouldn’tthesimplestwaybetotellheryou’remarriedandtakemetoseeherwhenwegetbacktoEngland?”
“No,”Isaidagain.Itwasnotsoexplosivethistimebutitwasstillfairlywellunderlined.
“Youdon’twantmetomeether,”saidEllie,slowly.
Ididn’tofcourse.IsupposeitwasobviousenoughbutthelastthingIcoulddowastoexplain.Ididn’tseehowIcouldexplain.
“Itwouldn’tbetherightthingtodo,”Isaidslowly.“Youmustseethat.I’msureitwouldleadtotrouble.”
“Youthinkshewouldn’tlikeme?”
“Nobodycouldhelplikingyou,butitwouldn’tbe—ohIdon’tknowhowtoputit.Butshemightbeupsetandconfused.Afterall,well,ImeanI’vemarriedoutofmystation.That’stheold-fashionedterm.Shewouldn’tlikethat.”
Ellieshookherheadslowly.
“Doesanybodyreallythinklikethatnowadays?”
“Ofcoursetheydo.Theydoinyourcountrytoo.”
“Yes,”shesaid,“inawaythat’struebut—ifanyonemakesgoodthere—”
“Youmeanifamanmakesalotofmoney.”
“Well,notonlymoney.”
“Yes,”Isaid,“it’smoney.Ifamanmakesalotofmoneyhe’sadmiredandlookeduptoanditdoesn’tmatterwherehewasborn.”
“Well,that’sthesameeverywhere,”saidEllie.
“Please,Ellie,”Isaid.“Pleasedon’tgoandseemymother.”
“Istillthinkit’sunkind.”
“Noitisn’t.Can’tyouletmeknowwhat’sbestformyownmother?She’dbeupset.Itellyoushewould.”
“Butyoumusttellheryou’vegotmarried.”
“Allright,”Isaid.“I’lldothat.”
Itoccurredtomeitwouldbeeasiertowritetomymotherfromabroad.ThateveningwhenElliewaswritingtoUncleAndrewandUncleFrankandherstepmotherCoravanStuyvesant,I,too,waswritingmyownletter.Itwasquiteshort.
“DearMum,”Iwrote.“IoughttohavetoldyoubeforebutIfeltabitawkward.Igotmarriedthreeweeksago.Itwasallrathersudden.She’saveryprettygirlandverysweet.She’sgotalotofmoneywhichmakesthingsabitawkwardsometimes.We’regoingtobuildourselvesahousesomewhereinthecountry.Justatpresentwe’retravellingaroundEurope.Allthebest,Yours,Mike.”
Theresultsofourevening’scorrespondenceweresomewhatvaried.Mymotherletaweekelapsebeforeshesentaletterremarkablytypicalofher.
“DearMike.Iwasgladtogetyourletter.Ihopeyou’llbeveryhappy.Youraffectionatemother.”AsElliehadprophesied,therewasfarmorefussonherside.We’dstirreduparegularhornet’snestoftrouble.Wewerebesetbyreporterswhowantednewsofourromanticmarriage,therewerearticlesinthepapersabouttheGutemanheiressandherromanticelopement,therewerelettersfrombankersandlawyers.Andfinallyofficialmeetingswerearranged.WemetSantonixonthesiteofGipsy’sAcreandwelookedattheplansthereanddiscussedthings,andthenhavingseenthingsunderwaywecametoLondon,tookasuiteatClaridge’sandprepared,astheysayinoldworldbooks,toreceivecavalry.
ThefirsttoarrivewasMr.AndrewP.Lippincott.Hewasanelderlyman,dryandpreciseinappearance.Hewaslongandleanwithsuaveandcourteousmanners.HewasaBostonianandfromhisvoiceIwouldn’thaveknownhewasanAmerican.Byarrangementthroughthetelephonehecalleduponusinoursuiteat12o’clock.Elliewasnervous,Icouldtell,althoughsheconcealeditverywell.
Mr.LippincottkissedEllieandextendedahandandapleasantsmiletome.
“Well,Elliemydear,youarelookingverywell.Blooming,Imightsay.”
“Howareyou,UncleAndrew?Howdidyoucome?Didyoufly?”
“No,IhadaverypleasanttripacrossontheQueenMary.Andthisisyourhusband?”
“ThisisMike,yes.”
Iplayedup,orthoughtIdid.“Howareyou,sir?”Isaid.ThenIaskedhimifhe’dhaveadrink,whichherefusedpleasantly.Hesatdowninanuprightchairwithgiltarmstoitandlooked,stillsmiling,fromEllietome.
“Well,”hesaid,“youyoungpeoplehavebeengivingusshocks.Allveryromantic,eh?”
“I’msorry,”saidEllie,“Ireallyamsorry.”
“Areyou?”saidMr.Lippincott,ratherdryly.
“Ithoughtitwasthebestway,”saidEllie.
“Iamnotaltogetherofyouropinionthere,mydear.”
“UncleAndrew,”Elliesaid,“youknowperfectlywellthatifI’ddoneitanyotherwaytherewouldhavebeenthemostfrightfulfuss.”
“Whyshouldtherehavebeensuchafrightfulfuss?”
“Youknowwhatthey’dhavebeenlike,”saidEllie.“Youtoo,”sheaddedaccusingly.Sheadded,“I’vehadtwolettersfromCora.Oneyesterdayandonethismorning.”
“Youmustdiscountacertainamountofagitation,mydear.It’sonlynaturalunderthecircumstances,don’tyouthink?”
“It’smybusinesswhoIgetmarriedtoandhowandwhere.”
“Youmaythinkso,butyouwillfindthatthewomenofanyfamilywouldrarelyagreeastothat.”
“Really,I’vesavedeveryonealotoftrouble.”
“Youmayputitthatway.”
“Butit’strue,isn’tit?”
“Butyoupractised,didyounot,agooddealofdeception,helpedbysomeonewhoshouldhaveknownbetterthantodowhatshedid.”
Ellieflushed.
“YoumeanGreta?SheonlydidwhatIaskedherto.Aretheyallveryupsetwithher?”
“Naturally.Neithershenoryoucouldexpectanythingelse,couldyou?Shewas,remember,inapositionoftrust.”
“I’mofage.IcandowhatIlike.”
“Iamspeakingoftheperiodoftimebeforeyouwereofage.Thedeceptionsbeganthen,didtheynot?”
“Youmustn’tblameEllie,sir,”Isaid.“TobeginwithIdidn’tknowwhatwasgoingonandsinceallherrelationsareinanothercountryitwasn’teasyformetogetintouchwiththem.”
“Iquiterealize,”saidMr.Lippincott,“thatGretapostedcertainlettersandgavecertaininformationtoMrs.vanStuyvesantandtomyselfasshewasrequestedtodobyElliehere,andmade,ifImaysayso,averycompetentjobofit.YouhavemetGretaAndersen,Michael?ImaycallyouMichael,sinceyouareEllie’shusband?”
“Ofcourse,”Isaid,“callmeMike.No,Ihaven’tmetMissAndersen—”
“Indeed?Thatseemstomesurprising.”Helookedatmewithalongthoughtfulgaze.“Ishouldhavethoughtthatshewouldhavebeenpresentatyourmarriage.”
“No,Gretawasn’tthere,”saidEllie.ShethrewmealookofreproachandIshifteduncomfortably.
Mr.Lippincott’seyeswerestillrestingonmethoughtfully.Hemademeuncomfortable.Heseemedabouttosaysomethingmorethenchangedhismind.
“I’mafraid,”hesaidafteramomentortwo,“thatyoutwo,MichaelandEllie,willhavetoputupwithacertainamountofreproachesandcriticismfromEllie’sfamily.”
“Isupposetheyaregoingtodescendonmeinabunch,”saidEllie.
“Veryprobably,”saidMr.Lippincott.“I’vetriedtopavetheway,”headded.
“You’reonourside,UncleAndrew?”saidEllie,smilingathim.
“Youmusthardlyaskaprudentlawyertogoasfarasthat.Ihavelearntthatinlifeitiswisetoacceptwhatisafaitaccompli.Youtwohavefalleninlovewitheachotherandhavegotmarriedandhave,Iunderstoodyoutosay,Ellie,boughtapieceofpropertyintheSouthofEnglandandhavealreadystartedbuildingahouseonit.Youpropose,therefore,toliveinthiscountry?”
“Wewanttomakeourhomehere,yes.Doyouobjecttoourdoingthat?”Isaidwithatouchofangerinmyvoice.“Ellie’smarriedtomeandshe’saBritishsubjectnow.Sowhyshouldn’tsheliveinEngland?”
“Noreasonatall.Infact,thereisnoreasonwhyFenellashouldnotliveinanycountryshechooses,orindeedhavepropertyinmorethanonecountry.ThehouseinNassaubelongstoyou,remember,Ellie.”
“IalwaysthoughtitwasCora’s.Shealwayshasbehavedasthoughitwas.”
“Buttheactualpropertyrightsarevestedinyou.YoualsohavethehouseinLongIslandwheneveryoucaretovisitit.Youaretheownerofagreatdealofoil-bearingpropertyintheWest.”Hisvoicewasamiable,pleasant,butIhadthefeelingthatthewordsweredirectedatmeinsomecuriousway.WasithisideaoftryingtoinsinuateawedgebetweenmeandEllie?Iwasnotsure.Itdidn’tseemverysensible,rubbingitintoamanthathiswifeownedpropertyallovertheworldandwasfabulouslyrich.IfanythingIshouldhavethoughtthathewouldhaveplayeddownEllie’spropertyrightsandhermoneyandalltherestofit.IfIwasafortunehunterasheobviouslythought,thatwouldbeallthemoregristtomymill.ButIdidrealizethatMr.Lippincottwasasubtleman.Itwouldbehardatanytimetoknowwhathewasdrivingat;whathehadinhismindbehindhisevenandpleasantmanner.Washetryinginawayofhisowntomakemefeeluncomfortable,tomakemefeelthatIwasgoingtobebrandedalmostpubliclyasafortunehunter?HesaidtoEllie:
“I’vebroughtoveracertainamountoflegalstuffwhichyou’llhavetogothroughwithme,Ellie.Ishallwantyoursignaturetomanyofthesethings.”
“Yes,ofcourse,UncleAndrew.Anytime.”
“Asyousay,anytime.There’snohurry.IhaveotherbusinessinLondonandIshallbeoverhereforabouttendays.”
Tendays,Ithought.That’salongtime.IratherwishedthatMr.Lippincottwasn’tgoingtobeherefortendays.Heappearedfriendlyenoughtowardsme,though,asyoumightsay,indicatingthathestillreservedhisjudgmentoncertainpoints,butIwonderedatthatmomentwhetherhewasreallymyenemy.Ifhewas,hewouldnotbethekindofmantoshowhishand.
“Well,”hewenton,“nowthatwe’veallmetandcometoterms,asyoumightsay,forthefuture,Iwouldliketohaveashortinterviewwiththishusbandofyours.”
Elliesaid,“Youcantalktousboth.”Shewasupinarms.Iputahandonherarm.
“Nowdon’tflareup,ducks,you’renotamotherhenprotectingachicken.”Ipropelledhergentlytothedoorinthewallthatledintothebedroom.“UncleAndrewwantstosizemeup,”Isaid.“He’swellwithinhisrights.”
Ipushedhergentlythroughthedoubledoors.Ishutthembothandcamebackintotheroom.Itwasalargehandsomesittingroom.IcamebackandtookachairandfacedMr.Lippincott.“Allright,”Isaid.“Shoot.”
“Thankyou,Michael,”hesaid.“FirstofallIwanttoassureyouthatIamnot,asyoumaybethinking,yourenemyinanyway.”
“Well,”Isaid,“I’mgladtohearthat.”Ididn’tsoundverysureaboutit.
“Letmespeakfrankly,”saidMr.Lippincott,“morefranklythanIcoulddobeforethatdearchildtowhomIamguardianandofwhomIamveryfond.Youmaynotyetappreciateitfully,Michael,butEllieisamostunusuallysweetandlovablegirl.”
“Don’tyouworry.I’minlovewithherallright.”
“Thatisnotatallthesamething,”saidMr.Lippincottinhisdrymanner.“Ihopethataswellasbeinginlovewithheryoucanalsoappreciatewhatareallydearandinsomewaysveryvulnerablepersonsheis.”
“I’lltry,”Isaid.“Idon’tthinkI’llhavetotryveryhard.She’sthetops,Ellieis.”
“SoIwillgoonwithwhatIwasabouttosay.Ishallputmycardsonthetablewiththeutmostfrankness.YouarenotthekindofyoungmanthatIshouldhavewishedEllietomarry.Ishouldlikeher,asherfamilywouldhavelikedher,tomarrysomeoneofherownsurroundings,ofherownset—”
“Atoffinotherwords,”Isaid.
“No,notonlythat.Asimilarbackgroundis,Ithink,tobedesiredasabasisformatrimony.AndIamnotreferringtothesnobattitude.Afterall,HermanGuteman,hergrandfather,startedlifeasadockhand.HeendedupasoneoftherichestmeninAmerica.”
“ForallyouknowImightdothesame,”Isaid.“ImayenduponeoftherichestmeninEngland.”
“Everythingispossible,”saidMr.Lippincott.“Doyouhaveambitionsthatway?”
“It’snotjustthemoney,”Isaid.“I’dliketo—I’dliketogetsomewhereanddothingsand—”Ihesitated,stopped.
“Youhaveambitions,shallwesay?Well,thatisaverygoodthing,Iamsure.”
“I’mstartingatlongodds,”Isaid,“startingfromscratch.I’mnothingandnobodyandIwon’tpretendotherwise.”
Henoddedapproval.
“Veryfranklyandhandsomelysaid,Iappreciateit.Now,Michael,IamnorelationtoEllie,butIhaveactedasherguardian,Iamatrustee,leftsobyhergrandfather,ofheraffairs,Imanageherfortuneandherinvestments.AndIassumethereforeacertainresponsibilityforthem.ThereforeIwanttoknowallthatIcanknowaboutthehusbandshehaschosen.”
“Well,”Isaid,“youcanmakeinquiriesaboutme,Isuppose,andfindoutanythingyoulikeeasilyenough.”
“Quiteso,”saidMr.Lippincott.“Thatwouldbeonewayofdoingit.Awiseprecautiontotake.Butactually,Michael,IshouldliketoknowallthatIcanaboutyoufromyourownlips.Ishouldliketohearyourownstoryofwhatyourlifehasbeenuptonow.”
OfcourseIdidn’tlikeit.IexpectheknewIwouldn’t.Nobodyinmypositionwouldlikethat.It’ssecondnaturetomakethebestofyourself.I’dmadeapointofthatatschoolandonwards,boastedaboutthingsabit,saidafewthings,stretchingthetruthabit.Iwasn’tashamedofit.Ithinkit’snatural.Ithinkit’sthesortofthingthatyou’vegottodoifyouwanttogeton.Makeoutagoodcaseforyourself.PeopletakeyouatyourownvaluationandIdidn’twanttobelikethatchapinDickens.Theyreaditoutonthetelevision,andImustsayit’sagoodyarnonitsown.Uriahsomethinghisnamewas,alwaysgoingonaboutbeinghumbleandrubbinghishands,andactuallyplanningandschemingbehindthathumility.Ididn’twanttobelikethat.
IwasreadyenoughtoboastabitwiththechapsImetortoputupagoodcasetoaprospectiveemployer.Afterall,you’vegotabestsideandaworstsideofyourselfandit’snogoodshowingtheworstsideandharpingonit.No,I’dalwaysdonethebestformyselfdescribingmyactivitiesuptodate.ButIdidn’tfancydoingthatsortofthingwithMr.Lippincott.He’dratherpooh-poohedtheideaofmakingprivateinquiriesaboutmebutIwasn’tatallsurethathewouldn’tdosoallthesame.SoIgavehimthetruthunvarnished,asyoumightsay.
Squalidbeginnings,thefactthatmyfatherhadbeenadrunk,butthatI’dhadagoodmother,thatshe’dslavedagoodbittohelpmegeteducated.ImadenosecretofthefactthatI’dbeenarollingstone,thatI’dmovedfromonejobtoanother.Hewasagoodlistener,encouraging,ifyouknowwhatImean.Everynowandthen,though,Irealizedhowshrewdhewas.Justlittlequestionsthatheslippedin,orcomments,somecommentsthatImighthaverushedinunguardedlyeithertoadmitortodeny
Yes,IhadasortoffeelingthatI’dbetterbewaryandonmytoes.AndaftertenminutesIwasquitegladwhenheleanedbackinhischairandtheinquisition,ifyoucouldcallitthat,anditwasn’tintheleastlikeone,seemedtobeover.
“Youhaveanadventurousattitudetolife,Mr.Rogers—Michael.Notabadthing.TellmemoreaboutthishousethatyouandElliearebuilding.”
“Well,”Isaid,“it’snotfarfromatowncalledMarketChadwell.”
“Yes,”hesaid,“Iknowjustwhereitis.AsamatteroffactIrandowntoseeit.Yesterday,tobeexact.”
Thatstartledmealittle.Itshowedhewasadeviouskindoffellowwhogotroundtomorethingsthanyoumightthinkhewould.
“It’sabeautifulsite,”Isaiddefensively,“andthehousewe’rebuildingisgoingtobeabeautifulhouse.Thearchitect’sachapcalledSantonix.RudolfSantonix.Idon’tknowifyou’veeverheardofhimbut—”
“Ohyes,”saidMr.Lippincott,“he’squiteawell-knownnameamongarchitects.”
“He’sdoneworkintheStatesIbelieve.”
“Yes,anarchitectofgreatpromiseandtalent.UnfortunatelyIbelievehishealthisnotgood.”
“Hethinkshe’sadyingman,”Isaid,“butIdon’tbelieveit.Ibelievehe’llgetcured,getwellagain.Doctors—they’llsayanything.”
“Ihopeyouroptimismisjustified.Youareanoptimist.”
“IamaboutSantonix.”
“Ihopeallyouwishwillcometrue.ImaysaythatIthinkyouandElliehavemadeanextremelygoodpurchaseinthepieceofpropertythatyouhavebought.”
Ithoughtitwasniceoftheoldboytousethepronoun“you.”Itwasn’trubbingitinthatElliehaddonethebuyingonherown.
“IhavehadaconsultationwithMr.Crawford—”
“Crawford?”Ifrownedslightly.
“Mr.CrawfordofReece&Crawford,afirmofEnglishsolicitors.Mr.Crawfordwasthememberofthefirmwhoputthepurchaseinhand.ItisagoodfirmofsolicitorsandIgatherthatthispropertywasacquiredatacheapfigure.ImaysaythatIwonderedslightlyatthat.IamfamiliarwiththepresentpricesoflandinthiscountryandIreallyfeltratheratalosstoaccountforit.IthinkMr.Crawfordhimselfwassurprisedtogetitatsolowafigure.Iwonderedifyouknewatallwhythispropertyhappenedtogosocheaply.Mr.Crawforddidnotadvanceanyopiniononthat.InfactheseemedslightlyembarrassedwhenIputthequestiontohim.”
“Ohwell,”Isaid,“it’sgotacurseonit.”
“Ibegyourpardon,Michael,whatdidyousay?”
“Acurse,sir,”Iexplained.“Thegipsy’swarning,thatsortofthing.ItisknownlocallyasGipsy’sAcre.”
“Ah.Astory?”
“Yes.ItseemsratherconfusedandIdon’tknowhowmuchpeoplehavemadeupandhowmuchistrue.Therewasamurderorsomethinglongago.Amanandhiswifeandanotherman.Somestorythatthehusbandshottheothertwoandthenshothimself.Atleastthat’stheverdictthatwasbroughtin.Butallsortsofotherstoriesgoflyingabout.Idon’tthinkanyonereallyknowswhathappened.Itwasagoodlongtimeago.It’schangedhandsaboutfourorfivetimessince,butnobodystaystherelong.”
“Ah,”saidMr.Lippincottappreciatively,“yes,quiteapieceofEnglishfolklore.”Helookedatmecuriously.“AndyouandElliearenotafraidofthecurse?”Hesaiditlightly,withaslightsmile.
“Ofcoursenot,”Isaid.“NeitherEllienorIwouldbelieveinanyrubbishofthatkind.Actuallyit’saluckythingsincebecauseofitwegotitcheap.”WhenIsaidthatasuddenthoughtstruckme.Itwasluckyinonesense,butIthoughtthatwithallEllie’smoneyandherpropertyandalltherestofit,itcouldn’tmattertoherverymuchwhethersheboughtapieceoflandcheaporatthetopprice.ThenIthought,no,Iwaswrong.Afterall,she’dhadagrandfatherwhocameupfrombeingadocklabourertoamillionaire.Anyoneofthatkindwouldalwayswishtobuycheapandselldear.
“Well,Iamnotsuperstitious,”saidMr.Lippincott,“andtheviewfromyourpropertyisquitemagnificent.”Hehesitated.“Ionlyhopethatwhenyoucometomoveintoyourhousetolivethere,thatElliewillnotheartoomanyofthesestoriesthataregoingabout.”
“I’llkeepeverythingfromherthatIcan,”Isaid.“Idon’tsupposeanybodywillsayanythingtoher.”
“Peopleincountryvillagesareveryfondofrepeatingstoriesofthatkind,”saidMr.Lippincott.“AndEllie,remember,isnotastoughasyouare,Michael.Shecanbeinfluencedeasily.Onlyinsomeways.Whichbringsme—”hestoppedwithoutgoingontosaywhathehadbeengoingto.Hetappedonthetablewithonefinger.“I’mgoingtospeaktoyounowonamatterofsomedifficulty.YousaidjustnowthatyouhadnotmetthisGretaAndersen.”
“No,asIsaid,Ihaven’tmetheryet.”
“Odd.Verycurious.”
“Well?”Ilookedathiminquiringly.
“Ishouldhavethoughtyou’dhavebeenalmostsuretohavemether,”hesaidslowly.“Howmuchdoyouknowabouther?”
“Iknowthatshe’sbeenwithElliesometime.”
“ShehasbeenwithElliesinceElliewasseventeen.Shehasoccupiedapostofsomeresponsibilityandtrust.ShecamefirsttotheStatesinthecapacityofsecretaryandcompanion.AkindofchaperonetoElliewhenMrs.vanStuyvesant,herstepmother,wasawayfromhome,whichImaysaywasaquitefrequentoccurrence.”Hespokeparticularlydrylywhenhesaidthis.“Sheis,Igather,awell-borngirlwithexcellentreferences,half-Swedishhalf-German.Elliebecame,quitenaturally,verymuchattachedtoher.”
“SoIgather,”Isaid.
“InsomewayElliewas,Isuppose,almosttoomuchattachedtoher.Youdon’tmindmysayingthat?”
“No.WhyshouldImind?AsamatteroffactI’ve—well,I’vethoughtsomyselfonceortwice.GretathisandGretathat.Igot—well,IknowI’venobusinessto,butIusedtogetfedupsometimes.”
“AndyetsheexpressednowishforyoutomeetGreta?”
“Well,”Isaid,“it’sratherdifficulttoexplain.ButIthink,yes,Ithinksheprobablydidsuggestitinamildwayonceortwicebut,well,weweretootakenupwithhavingmeteachother.Besides,ohwell,IsupposeIdidn’treallywanttomeetGreta.Ididn’twanttoshareElliewithanyone.”
“Isee.Yes,Isee.AndElliedidnotsuggestGretabeingpresentatyourwedding?”
“Shedidsuggestit,”Isaid.
“But—butyoudidn’twanthertocome.Why?”
“Idon’tknow.Ireallydon’tknow.IjustfeltthatthisGreta,thisgirlorwomanI’dnevermet,shewasalwayshorninginoneverything.Youknow,arrangingEllie’slifeforher.Sendingpost-cardsandlettersandfillinginforEllie,arrangingawholeitineraryandpassingitontothefamily.IfeltthatElliewasdependentonGretainaway,thatsheletGretarunher,thatshewantedtodoeverythingthatGretawanted.I—oh,I’msorry,Mr.Lippincott,Ioughtn’ttobesayingallthesethingsperhaps.SayIwasjustplainjealous.AnywayIblewupandIsaidIdidn’twantGretaatthewedding,thattheweddingwasours,thatitwasjustourbusinessandnobodyelse’s.AndsowewentalongtotheRegistrar’sofficeandhisclerkandthetypistfromhisofficewerethetwowitnesses.IdaresayitwasmeanofmetorefusetohaveGretathere,butIwantedtohaveEllietomyself.”
“Isee.Yes,Isee,andIthink,ifImaysayso,thatyouwerewise,Michael.”
“Youdon’tlikeGretaeither,”Isaidshrewdly.
“Youcanhardlyusetheword‘either,’Michael,ifyouhavenotevenmether.”
“No,Iknowbut,well,Imeanifyouhearalotaboutapersonyoucanformsomesortofideaofthem,somejudgmentofthem.Ohwell,callitplainjealousy.Whydon’tyoulikeGreta?”
“Thisiswithoutprejudice,”saidMr.Lippincott,“butyouareEllie’shusband,Michael,andIhaveEllie’shappinessverymuchatheart.Idon’tthinkthattheinfluencethatGretahasoverEllieisaverydesirableone.Shetakestoomuchuponherself.”
“Doyouthinkshe’lltryandmaketroublebetweenus?”Iasked.
“Ithink,”saidMr.Lippincott,“thatIhavenorighttosayanythingofthatkind.”
Hesatlookingcautiouslyatme,andblinkinglikeawrinkledoldtortoise.
Ididn’tknowquitewhattosaynext.Hespokefirst,choosinghiswordswithsomecare.
“Therehasbeen,then,nosuggestionthatGretaAndersenmighttakeupherresidencewithyou?”
“NotifIcanhelpit,”Isaid.
“Ah.Sothatiswhatyoufeel?Theideahasbeenmooted.”
“Elliedidsaysomethingofthekind.Butwe’renewlymarried,Mr.Lippincott.Wewantourhouse—ournewhome—toourselves.Ofcourseshe’llcomeandstaysometimes,Isuppose.That’llonlybenatural.”
“Asyousay,thatwouldbeonlynatural.Butyourealize,perhaps,thatGretaisgoingtobeinasomewhatdifficultpositionasregardsfurtheremployment.Imean,itisnotaquestionofwhatElliethinksofher,butofwhatthepeoplewhoengagedherandreposedtrustinherfeel.”
“YoumeanthatyouorMrs.vanWhat’s-her-namewon’trecommendherforanotherpostofthesamekind?”
“Theyarehardlylikelytodosoexceptsofarastosatisfypurelylegalrequirements.”
“Andyouthinkthatshe’llwanttocometoEnglandandliveonEllie.”
“Idon’twanttoprejudiceyoutoomuchagainsther.Afterall,thisismostlyinmymind.Idislikesomeofthethingsshehasdoneandthewayshehasdonethem.IthinkthatElliewhohasaverygenerousheartwillbeupsetathaving,shallwesay,blightedGreta’sprospectsinmanyways.Shemightimpulsivelyinsistonhercomingtolivewithyou.”
“Idon’tthinkElliewillinsist,”Isaidslowly.Isoundedalittleworriedallthesame,andIthoughtLippincottnoticedit.“Butcouldn’twe—Ellie,Imean—couldn’tElliepensionheroff?”
“Weshouldnotputitpreciselylikethat,”saidMr.Lippincott.“ThereisasuggestionofageaboutpensioninganyoneoffandGretaisayoungwoman,andImaysayaveryhandsomeyoungwoman.Beautiful,infact,”headdedinadeprecating,disapprovingvoice.“She’sveryattractivetomen,too.”
“Well,perhapsshe’llmarry,”Isaid.“Ifshe’sallthat,whyhasn’tshegotmarriedbeforethis?”
“Therehavebeenpeopleattracted,Ibelieve,butshehasnotconsideredthem.Ithink,however,thatyoursuggestionisaverysoundone.Ithinkitmightbecarriedoutinawaythatwouldnothurtanyone’ssusceptibilities.ItmightseemquiteanaturalthingtodoonEllie’shavingattainedhermajorityandhavinghadhermarriagehelpedonbyGreta’sgoodoffices—settleasumofmoneyuponherinafitofgratitude.”Mr.Lippincottmadethelasttwowordssoundassouraslemonjuice.
“Well,then,that’sallright,”Isaidcheerfully.
“AgainIseethatyouareanoptimist.LetushopethatGretawillacceptwhatisofferedtoher.”
“Whyshouldn’tshe?She’dbemadifshedidn’t.”
“Idon’tknow,”saidMr.Lippincott.“Ishouldsayitwouldbeextraordinaryifshedidnotaccept,andtheywillremainontermsoffriendship,ofcourse.”
“Youthink—whatdoyouthink?”
“IwouldliketoseeherinfluenceoverElliebroken,”saidMr.Lippincott.Hegotup.“Youwill,Ihope,assistmeanddoeverythingyoucantofurtherthatend?”
“YoubetIwill,”Isaid.“ThelastthingIwantistohaveGretainourpocketsallthetime.”
“Youmightchangeyourmindwhenyouseeher,”saidMr.Lippincott.
“Idon’tthinkso,”Isaid.“Idon’tlikemanagingfemales,howeverefficientandevenhandsometheyare.”
“Thankyou,Michael,forlisteningtomesopatiently.Ihopeyouwillgivemethepleasureofdiningwithme,bothofyou.PossiblynextTuesdayevening?CoravanStuyvesantandFrankBartonwillprobablybeinLondonbythattime.”
“AndI’vegottomeetthem,Isuppose?”
“Ohyes,thatwillbequiteinevitable.”Hesmiledatmeandthistimehissmileseemedmoregenuinethanithadbefore.“Youmustn’tmindtoomuch,”hesaid.“Cora,Iexpect,willbeveryrudetoyou.Frankwillbemerelytactless.Reubenwon’tbeoverjustatpresent.”
Ididn’tknowwhoReubenwas—anotherrelationIsupposed.
Iwentacrosstotheconnectingdoorsandopenedthem.“Comeon,Ellie,”Isaid,“thegrillingisover.”
ShecamebackintheroomandlookedquicklyfromLippincotttomyself,thenshewentacrossandkissedhim.
“DearUncleAndrew,”shesaid.“Icanseeyou’vebeennicetoMichael.”
“Well,mydear,ifIweren’tnicetoyourhusbandyouwouldn’thavemuchuseformeinthefuture,wouldyou?Idoreservetherighttogiveafewwordsofadvicenowandthen.You’reveryyoungyouknow,bothofyou.”
“Allright,”saidEllie,“we’lllistenpatiently.”
“Now,mydear,I’dliketohaveawordwithyouifImay.”
“Myturntobeoddmanout,”Isaid,andItoowentintothebedroom.
IshutthetwodoubledoorsostentatiouslybutIopenedtheinneroneagainafterIgotinside.Ihadn’tbeenaswellbroughtupasElliesoIfeltabitanxioustofindouthowdouble-facedMr.Lippincottmightturnouttobe.ButactuallytherewasnothingIneedhavelistenedto.HegaveEllieoneortwowisewordsofadvice.HesaidshemustrealizethatImightfinditdifficulttobeapoormanmarriedtoarichwifeandthenhewentontosoundheraboutmakingasettlementonGreta.Sheagreedtoiteagerlyandsaidshe’dbeengoingtoaskhimthatherself.HealsosuggestedthatsheshouldmakeanadditionalsettlementonCoravanStuyvesant.
“Thereisnoearthlyneedthatyoushoulddoso,”hesaid.“Shehasbeenverywellprovidedforinthematterofalimonyfromseveralhusbands.Andsheisasyouknowpaidanincome,thoughnotaverybigone,fromthetrustfundleftbyyourgrandfather.”
“ButyouthinkIoughttogivehermorestill?”
“Ithinkthereisnolegalormoralobligationtodoso.WhatIthinkisthatyouwillfindherfarlesstiresomeandshallIsaycattyifyoudoso.Ishouldmakeitintheformofanincreasedincome,whichyoucouldrevokeatanytime.IfyoufindthatshehasbeenspreadingmaliciousrumoursaboutMichaeloryourselforyourlifetogether,theknowledgethatyoucandothatwillkeephertonguefreeofthosemorepoisonousbarbsthatshesowellknowshowtoplant.”
“Corahasalwayshatedme,”saidEllie.“I’veknownthat.”Sheaddedrathershyly,“YoudolikeMike,don’tyou,UncleAndrew?”
“Ithinkhe’sanextremelyattractiveyoungman,”saidMr.Lippincott.“AndIcanquiteseehowyoucametomarryhim.”
That,Isuppose,wasasgoodasIcouldexpect.Iwasn’treallyhistypeandIknewit.IeasedthedoorgentlytoandinaminuteortwoElliecametofetchme.
Wewerebothstandingsayinggood-byetoLippincottwhentherewasaknockonthedoorandapageboycameinwithatelegram.Ellietookitandopenedit.Shegavealittlesurprisedcryofpleasure.
“It’sGreta,”shesaid,“she’sarrivinginLondontonightandshe’llbecomingtoseeustomorrow.Howlovely.”Shelookedatusboth.“Isn’tit?”shesaid.
Shesawtwosourfacesandheardtwopolitevoicessaying,one:“Yesindeed,mydear,”theotherone,“Ofcourse.”
Eleven
IhadbeenoutshoppingthenextmorningandIarrivedbackatthehotelratherlaterthanIhadmeant.IfoundElliesittinginthecentralloungeandoppositeherwasatallblondeyoungwoman.InfactGreta.Bothofthemweretalkingnineteentothedozen.
I’mneveranyhandatdescribingpeoplebutI’llhaveashotatdescribingGreta.Tobeginwithonecouldn’tdenythatshewas,asElliehadsaid,verybeautifulandalso,asMr.Lippincotthadreluctantlyadmitted,veryhandsome.Thetwothingsarenotexactlythesame.Ifyousayawomanishandsomeitdoesnotmeanthatactuallyyouyourselfadmireher.Mr.Lippincott,Igathered,hadnotadmiredGreta.AllthesamewhenGretawalkedacrosstheloungeintoahotelorinarestaurant,men’sheadsturnedtolookather.ShewasaNordictypeofblondewithpuregold-corn-colouredhair.Sheworeitpiledhighonherheadinthefashionofthetime,notfallingstraightdownoneachsideofherfaceintheChelseatradition.Shelookedwhatshewas,SwedishornorthGerman.Infact,pinonapairofwingsandshecouldhavegonetoafancydressballasaValkyrie.Hereyeswereabrightclearblueandhercontourswereadmirable.Let’sadmitit.Shewassomething!
Icamealongtowheretheyweresittingandjoinedthem,greetingthembothinwhatIhopewasanatural,friendlymanner,thoughIcouldn’thelpfeelingabitawkward.I’mnotalwaysverygoodatactingapart.Elliesaidimmediately:
“Atlast,Mike,thisisGreta.”
IsaidIguesseditmightbe,inaratherfacetious,notveryhappymanner.Isaid:
“I’mverygladtomeetyouatlast,Greta.”
Elliesaid:
“Asyouknowverywell,ifithadn’tbeenforGretawewouldneverhavebeenabletogetmarried.”
“Allthesamewe’dhavemanageditsomehow,”Isaid.
“Notifthefamilyhadcomedownonuslikeatonofcoals.They’dhavebrokenitupsomehow.Tellme,Greta,havetheybeenveryawful?”Ellieasked.“Youhaven’twrittenorsaidanythingtomeaboutthat.”
“Iknowbetter,”saidGreta,“thantowritetoahappycouplewhenthey’reontheirhoneymoon.”
“Butweretheyveryangrywithyou?”
“Ofcourse!Whatdoyouimagine?ButIwaspreparedforthat,Icanassureyou.”
“Whathavetheysaidordone?”
“Everythingtheycould,”saidGretacheerfully.“Startingwiththesacknaturally.”
“Yes,Isupposethatwasinevitable.But—butwhathaveyoudone?Afteralltheycan’trefusetogiveyoureferences.”
“Ofcoursetheycan.Andafterall,fromtheirpointofviewIwasplacedinapositionoftrustandabuseditshamefully.”Sheadded,“Enjoyedabusingittoo.”
“Butwhatareyougoingtodonow?”
“OhI’vegotajobreadytowalkinto.”
“InNewYork?”
“No.HereinLondon.Secretarial.”
“Butareyouallright?”
“DarlingEllie,”saidGreta,“howcanInotbeallrightwiththatlovelychequeyousentmeinanticipationofwhatwasgoingtohappenwhentheballoonwentup?”
HerEnglishwasverygoodwithhardlyanytraceofaccentthoughsheusedalotofcolloquialtermswhichsometimesdidn’trunquiteright.
“I’veseenabitoftheworld,fixedmyselfupinLondonandboughtagoodmanythingsaswell.”
“MikeandIhaveboughtalotofthingstoo,”saidEllie,smilingattherecollection.
Itwastrue.We’ddoneourselvesprettywellwithourcontinentalshopping.Itwasreallywonderfulthatwehaddollarstospend,nonigglingTreasuryrestrictions.BrocadesandfabricsinItalyforthehouse.Andwe’dboughtpicturestoo,bothinItalyandinParis,payingwhatseemedfabuloussumsforthem.Awholeworldhadopeneduptomethat
“Youbothlookremarkablyhappy,”saidGreta.
“Youhaven’tseenourhouseyet,”saidEllie.“It’sgoingtobewonderful.It’sgoingtobejustlikewedreameditwouldbe,isn’tit,Mike?”
“Ihaveseenit,”saidGreta.“ThefirstdayIgotbacktoEnglandIhiredacaranddrovedownthere.”
“Well?”saidEllie.
IsaidWell?too.
“Well,”saidGretaconsideringly.Sheshiftedherheadfromsidetoside.
Ellielookedgrief-stricken,horriblytakenaback.ButIwasn’ttakenin.IsawatoncethatGretawashavingabitoffunwithus.Ifthethoughtoffunwasn’tverykind,ithardlyhadtimetotakeroot.Gretaburstoutlaughing,ahighmusicallaughthatmadepeopleturntheirheadsandlookatus.
“Youshouldhaveseenyourfaces,”shesaid,“especiallyyours,Ellie.Ihavetoteaseyoujustalittle.It’sawonderfulhouse,lovely.Thatman’sagenius.”
“Yes,”Isaid,“he’ssomethingoutoftheordinary.Waittillyoumeethim.”
“Ihavemethim,”saidGreta.“HewasdowntherethedayIwent.Yes,he’sanextraordinaryperson.Ratherfrightening,don’tyouthink?”
“Frightening?”Isaid,surprised.“Inwhatway?”
“OhIdon’tknow.It’sasthoughhelooksthroughyouand—well,seesrightthroughtotheotherside.That’salwaysdisconcerting.”Thensheadded,“Helooksratherill.”
“Heisill.Veryill,”Isaid.
“Whatashame.What’sthematterwithhim,tuberculosis,somethinglikethat?”
“No,”Isaid,“Idon’tthinkit’stuberculosis.Ithinkit’ssomethingtodowith—ohwithblood.”
“OhIsee.Doctorscandoalmostanythingnowadays,can’tthey,unlesstheykillyoufirstwhilethey’retryingtocureyou.Butdon’tlet’sthinkofthat.Let’sthinkofthehouse.Whenwillitbefinished?”
“Quitesoon,Ishouldthink,bythelookofit.I’dneverimaginedahousecouldgoupsoquickly,”Isaid.
“Oh,”saidGretacarelessly,“that’smoney.Doubleshiftsandbonuses—alltherestofit.Youdon’treallyknowyourself,Ellie,howwonderfulitistohaveallthemoneyyouhave.”
ButIdidknow.Ihadbeenlearning,learningagreatdealinthelastfewweeks.I’dsteppedasaresultofmarriageintoanentirelydifferentworldanditwasn’tthesortofworldI’dimaginedittobefromtheoutside.Sofarinmylife,aluckydoublehadbeenmyhighestknowledgeofaffluence.Awhackofmoneycomingin,andspendingitasfastasIcouldonthebiggestblowoutIcouldfind.Crude,ofcourse.Thecrudenessofmyclass.ButEllie’sworldwasadifferentworld.Itwasn’twhatIshouldhavethoughtittobe.Justmoreandmoresuperluxury.Itwasn’tbiggerbathroomsandlargerhousesandmoreelectriclightfittingsandbiggermealsandfastercars.Itwasn’tjustspendingforspending’ssakeandshowingofftoeveryoneinsight.Instead,itwascuriouslysimple.Thesortofsimplicitythatcomeswhenyougetbeyondthepointofsplashingforsplashing’ssake.Youdon’twantthreeyachtsorfourcarsandyoucan’teatmorethanthreemealsadayandifyoubuyareallytop-pricepictureyoudon’twantmorethanperhapsoneoftheminaroom.It’sassimpleasthat.Whateveryouhaveisjustthebestofitskind,notsomuchbecauseitisthebest,butbecausethereisnoreasonifyoulikeorwantanyparticularthing,whyyoushouldn’thaveit.Thereisnomomentwhenyousay,“I’mafraidIcan’taffordthatone.”SoinastrangewayitmakessometimesforsuchacurioussimplicitythatIcouldn’tunderstandit.WewereconsideringaFrenchImpressionistpicture,aCézanne,Ithinkitwas.Ihadtolearnthatnamecarefully.IalwaysmixeditupwithatziganewhichIgatherisagipsyorchestra.AndthenaswewalkedalongthestreetsofVenice,Elliestoppedtolookatsomepavementartists.Onthewholetheyweredoingsometerriblepicturesfortouristswhichalllookedthesame.Portraitswithgreatrowsofshiningteethandusuallyblondehairfallingdowntheirnecks.
Andthensheboughtquiteatinypicture,justapictureofalittleglimpsethroughtoacanal.Themanwhohadpainteditappraisedthelookofusandsheboughtitfor￡6byEnglishexchange.ThefunnythingwasthatIknewquitewellthatElliehadjustthesamelongingforthat￡6picturethatshehadfortheCézanne.
ItwasthesamewayonedayinParis.She’dsaidtomesuddenly:
“Whatfunitwouldbe—let’sgetareallynicecrispFrenchloafofbreadandhavethatwithbutterandoneofthosecheeseswrappedupinleaves.”
SowedidandEllieIthinkenjoyeditmorethanthemealwe’dhadthenightbeforewhichhadcometoabout￡20English.AtfirstIcouldn’tunderstandit,thenIbegantosee.TheawkwardthingwasthatIcouldseenowthatbeingmarriedtoElliewasn’tjustfunandgames.Youhavetodoyourhomework,youhavetolearnhowtogointoarestaurantandthesortofthingstoorderandtherighttips,andwhenforsomereasonyougavemorethanusual.Youhavetomemorizewhatyoudrinkwithcertainfoods.Ihadtodomostofitbyobservation.Icouldn’taskElliebecausethatwasoneofthethingsshewouldn’thaveunderstood.She’dhavesaid“But,darlingMike,youcanhaveanythingyoulike.Whatdoesitmatterifwaitersthinkyououghttohaveoneparticularwinewithoneparticularthing?”Itwouldn’thavematteredtoherbecauseshewasborntoitbutitmatteredtomebecauseIcouldn’tdojustasIliked.Iwasn’tsimpleenough.Clothestoo.Elliewasmorehelpfulthere,forshecouldunderstandbetter.Shejustguidedmetotherightplacesandtoldmetoletthemhavetheirhead.
OfcourseIdidn’tlookrightandsoundrightyet.Butthatdidn’tmattermuch.I’dgotthehangofit,enoughsothatIcouldpassmusterwithpeoplelikeoldLippincott,andshortly,presumably,whenEllie’sstepmotheranduncleswerearound,butactuallyitwasn’tgoingtomatterinthefutureatall.Whenthehousewasfinishedandwhenwe’dmovedin,weweregoingtobefarawayfromeverybody.Itcouldbeourkingdom.IlookedatGretasittingoppositeme.Iwonderedwhatshe’dreallythoughtofourhouse.Anyway,itwaswhatIwanted.Itsatisfiedmeutterly.Iwantedtodrivedownandgothroughaprivatepaththroughthetreeswhichleddowntoasmallcovewhichwouldbeourownbeachwhichnobodycouldcometoonthelandside.Itwouldbeathousandtimesbetter,Ithought,plungingintotheseathere.Athousandtimesbetterthanalidospreadalongabeachwithhundredsofbodieslyingthere.Ididn’twantallthesenselessrichthings.Iwanted—therewerethewordsagain,myownparticularwords—Iwant,Iwant…Icouldfeelallthefeelingsurgingupinme.Iwantedawonderfulwomanandawonderfulhouselikenobodyelse’shouseandIwantedmywonderfulhousetobefullofwonderfulthings.Thingsthatbelongedtome.Everythingwouldbelongtome.
“He’sthinkingofourhouse,”saidEllie.
Itseemedthatshehadtwicesuggestedtomethatweshouldgonowintothediningroom.Ilookedatheraffectionately.
Laterintheday—itwasthatevening—whenweweredressingtogoouttodinner,Elliesaidalittletentatively:
“Mike,youdo—youdolikeGreta,don’tyou?”
“OfcourseIdo,”Isaid.
“Icouldn’tbearitifyoudidn’tlikeher.”
“ButIdo,”Iprotested.“WhatmakesyouthinkIdon’t?”
“I’mnotquitesure.Ithinkit’sthewayyouhardlylookatherevenwhenyou’retalkingtoher.”
“Well,Isupposethat’sbecause—well,becauseIfeelnervous.”
“NervousofGreta?”
“Yes,she’sabitawe-inspiring,youknow.”
AndItoldElliehowIthoughtGretalookedratherlikeaValkyrie.
“Notasstoutasanoperaticone,”saidEllieandlaughed.Webothlaughed.Isaid:
“It’sallverywellforyoubecauseyou’veknownherforyears.Butsheisjustabit—well,Imeanshe’sveryefficientandpracticalandsophisticated.”Istruggledwithalotofwordswhichdidn’tseemtobequitetherightones.Isaidsuddenly,“Ifeel—Ifeelatadisadvantagewithher.”
“OhMike!”Elliewasconscience-stricken.“Iknowwe’vegotalotofthingstotalkabout.Oldjokesandoldthingsthathappenedandallthat.Isuppose—yes,Isupposeitmightmakeyoufeelrathershy.Butyou’llsoongettobefriends.Shelikesyou.Shelikesyouverymuch.Shetoldmeso.”
“Listen,Ellie,she’dprobablytellyouthatanyway.”
“Ohnoshewouldn’t.Greta’sveryoutspoken.Youheardher.Someofthethingsshesaidtoday.”
ItwastruethatGretahadnotmincedherwordsduringluncheon.Shehadsaid,addressingmeratherthanEllie:
“Youmusthavethoughtitqueersometimes,thewayIwasbackingEllieupwhenI’dnotevenseenyou.ButIgotsomad—somadwiththelifethattheyweremakingherlead.Alltiedupinacocoonwiththeirmoney,theirtraditionalideas.Sheneverhadachancetoenjoyherself,goanywherereallybyherselfanddowhatshewanted.Shewantedtorebelbutshedidn’tknowhow.Andso—yes,allright,Iurgedheron.IsuggestedsheshouldlookatpropertiesinEngland.ThenIsaidwhenshewastwenty-oneshecouldbuyoneofherownandsaygood-byetoallthatNewYorklot.”
“Gretaalwayshaswonderfulideas,”saidEllie.“ShethinksofthingsI’dprobablyneverhavethoughtofmyself.”
WhatwerethosewordsMr.Lippincotthadsaidtome?“ShehastoomuchinfluenceoverEllie.”Iwonderedifitwastrue.QueerlyenoughIdidn’treallythinkso.IfeltthattherewasacoresomewhereinElliethatGreta,forallthatsheknewhersowell,hadneverquiteappreciated.Ellie,Iwassure,wouldalwaysacceptanyideasthatmatchedwiththeideasshewantedtohaveherself.GretahadpreachedrebelliontoElliebutEllieherselfwantedtorebel,onlyshewasnotsurehowtodoso.ButIfeltthatEllie,nowthatIwascomingtoknowherbetter,wasoneofthoseverysimplepeoplewhohaveunexpectedreserves.IthoughtElliewouldbequitecapableoftakingastandofherownifshewishedto.Thepointwasthatshewouldn’tveryoftenwishtoandIthoughtthenhowdifficulteveryonewastounderstand.EvenEllie.EvenGreta.Evenperhapsmyownmother…Thewayshelookedatmewithfearinhereyes.
IwonderedaboutMr.Lippincott.Isaid,aswewerepeelingsomeoutsizepeaches:
“Mr.Lippincottseemstohavetakenourmarriageverywellreally.Iwassurprised.”
“Mr.Lippincott,”saidGreta,“isanoldfox.”
“Youalwayssayso,Greta,”saidEllie,“butIthinkhe’sratheradear.Verystrictandproperandallthat.”
“Well,goonthinkingsoifyoulike,”saidGreta.“Myself,Iwouldn’ttrusthimaninch.”
“Nottrusthim!”saidEllie.
Gretashookherhead.“Iknow.He’sapillarofrespectabilityandtrustworthiness.He’severythingatrusteeandalawyershouldbe.”
Ellielaughedandsaid,“Doyoumeanhe’sembezzledmyfortune?Don’tbesilly,Greta.Therearethousandsofauditorsandbanksandcheck-upsandallthatsortofthing.”
“Oh,Iexpecthe’sallrightreally,”saidGreta.“Allthesame,thosearethepeoplethatdoembezzle.Thetrustworthyones.Andtheneveryonesaysafterwards,‘I’dneverhavebelieveditofMr.A.orMr.B.Thelastmanintheworld.’Yes,that’swhattheysay.‘Thelastmanintheworld.’”
ElliesaidthoughtfullythatherUncleFrank,shethought,wasmuchmorelikelytogoinfordishonestpractices.Shedidnotseemundulyworriedorsurprisedbytheidea.
“Ohwellhelookslikeacrook,”saidGreta.“Thathandicapshimtostartwith.Allthatgenialityandbonhomie.Buthe’llneverbeinapositiontobeacrookinabigway.”
“Isheyourmother’sbrother?”Iasked.IalwaysgotconfusedoverEllie’srelations.
“He’smyfather’ssister’shusband,”saidEllie.“Shelefthimandmarriedsomeoneelseanddiedaboutsixorsevenyearsago.UncleFrankhasmoreorlessstuckonwiththefamily.”
“Therearethreeofthem,”saidGretakindlyandhelpfully.“Threeleecheshanginground,asyoumightsay.Ellie’sactualuncleswerekilled,oneinKoreaandoneinacaraccident,sowhatshe’sgotisamuch-damagedstepmother,anUncleFrank,anamiablehanger-oninthefamilyhome,andhercousinReubenwhomshecallsUnclebuthe’sonlyacousinandAndrewLippincott,andStanfordLloyd.”
“WhoisStanfordLloyd?”Iasked,bewildered.
“Ohanothersortoftrustee,isn’the,Ellie?Atanyratehemanagesyourinvestmentsandthingslikethat.Whichcan’treallybeverydifficultbecausewhenyou’vegotasmuchmoneyasElliehas,itsortofmakesmoremoneyallthetimewithoutanyonehavingtodomuchaboutit.Thosearethemainsurroundinggroup,”Gretaadded,“andIhavenodoubtthatyouwillbemeetingthemfairlysoon.They’llbeoverheretohavealookatyou.”
Igroaned,andlookedatEllie.Elliesaidverygentlyandsweetly:
“Nevermind,Mike,they’llgoawayagain.”
Twelve
Theydidcomeover.Noneofthemstayedverylong.Notthattime,notonafirstvisit.Theycameovertohavealookatme.IfoundthemdifficulttounderstandbecauseofcoursetheywereallAmericans.TheyweretypeswithwhichIwasnotwellacquainted.Someofthemwerepleasantenough.UncleFrank,forinstance.IagreedwithGretaabouthim.Iwouldn’thavetrustedhimayard.IhadcomeacrossthesametypeinEngland.Hewasabigmanwithabitofapaunchandpouchesunderhiseyesthatgavehimadissipatedlookwhichwasnotfarfromthetruth,Iimagine.Hehadaneyeforwomen,Ithought,andevenmoreofaneyeforthemainchance.Heborrowedmoneyfrommeonceortwice,quitesmallamounts,just,asitwere,somethingtotidehimoverforadayortwo.Ithoughtitwasnotsomuchthatheneededthemoneybuthewantedtotestmeout,toseeifIlentmoneyeasily.ItwasratherworryingbecauseIwasn’tsurewhichwasthebestwaytotakeit.WouldithavebeenbettertorefusepointblankandlethimknowIwasaskinflintorwasitbettertoassumeanappearanceofcarelessgenerosity,whichIwasveryfarfromfeeling?TohellwithUncleFrank,Ithought.
Cora,Ellie’sstepmother,wastheonethatinterestedmemost.Shewasawomanofaboutforty,wellturnedoutwithtintedhairandarathergushingmanner.ShewasallsweetnesstoEllie.
“Youmustn’tmindthoselettersIwroteyou,Ellie,”shesaid.“Youmustadmitthatitcameasaterribleshock,yourmarryinglikethat.Sosecretly.ButofcourseIknowitwasGretawhoputyouuptoit,doingitthatway.”
“Youmustn’tblameGreta,”saidEllie.“Ididn’tmeantoupsetyouallsomuch.Ijustthoughtthat—well,thelessfuss—”
“Well,ofcourse,Elliedear,youhavesomethingthere.Allthemenofbusinessweresimplylivid.StanfordLloydandAndrewLippincott.Isupposetheythoughteveryonewouldblamethemfornotlookingafteryoubetter.Andofcoursethey’dnoideawhatMikewouldbelike.Theydidn’trealizehowcharminghewasgoingtobe.Ididn’tmyself.”
Shesmiledacrossatme,averysweetsmileandoneofthefalsestonesI’deverseen!Ithoughttomyselfthatifeverawomanhatedaman,itwasCorawhohatedme.IthoughthersweetnesstoElliewasunderstandableenough.AndrewLippincotthadgonebacktoAmericaandhad,nodoubt,givenherafewwordsofcaution.ElliewassellingsomeofherpropertyinAmerica,sincesheherselfhaddefinitelydecidedtoliveinEngland,butshewasgoingtomakealargeallowancetoCorasothatthelattercouldlivewhereshechose.NobodymentionedCora’shusbandmuch.Igatheredhe’dalreadytakenhimselfofftosomeotherpartoftheworld,andhadnotgonetherealone.Inallprobability,Igathered,anotherdivorcewaspending.Therewouldn’tbemuchalimonyoutofthisone.Cora’slastmarriagehadbeentoamanagoodmanyyearsyoungerthanherselfwithmoreattractionsofaphysicalkindthancash.
Corawantedthatallowance.Shewasawomanofextravaganttastes.NodoubtoldAndrewLippincotthadhintedclearlyenoughthatitcouldbediscontinuedanytimeifElliechose,orifCorasofarforgotherselfastocriticizeEllie’snewhusbandtoovirulently.
CousinReuben,orUncleReuben,didnotmakethejourney.HewroteinsteadtoEllieapleasant,noncommittalletterhopingshe’dbeveryhappy,butdoubtedifshewouldlikelivinginEngland.“Ifyoudon’t,Ellie,youcomerightbacktotheStates.Don’tthinkyouwon’tgetawelcomeherebecauseyouwill.CertainlyyouwillfromyourUncleReuben.”
“Hesoundsrathernice,”IsaidtoEllie.
“Yes,”saidElliemeditatively.Shewasn’t,itseemed,quitesosureaboutit.
“Areyoufondofanyofthem,Ellie?”Iasked,“oroughtn’tItoaskthat?”
“Ofcourseyoucanaskmeanything.”Butshedidn’tanswerforamomentortwoallthesame.Thenshesaid,withasortoffinalityanddecision,“No,Idon’tthinkIam.Itseemsodd,butIsupposeit’sbecausetheydon’treallybelongtome.Onlybyenvironment,notbyrelationship.Theynoneofthemaremyfleshandbloodrelations.Ilovedmyfather,whatIrememberedofhim.IthinkhewasratheraweakmanandIthinkmygrandfatherwasdisappointedinhimbecausehehadn’tgotmuchheadforbusiness.Hedidn’twanttogointothebusinesslife.HelikedgoingtoFloridaandfishing,thatsortofthing.AndthenlaterhemarriedCoraandInevercaredforCoramuch—orCoraforme,forthatmatter.Myownmother,ofcourse,Idon’tremember.IlikedUncleHenryandUncleJoe.Theywerefun.Insomewaysmorefunthanmyfatherwas.He,Ithink,wasinsomewaysaquietandrathersadman.Buttheunclesenjoyedthemselves.UncleJoewas,Ithink,abitwild,thekindthatiswildjustbecausethey’vegotlotsofmoney.Anyway,hewastheonewhogotsmashedupinthecar,andtheotheronewaskilledfightinginthewar.Mygrandfatherwasasickmanbythattimeanditwasaterribleblowtohimthatallhisthreesonsweredead.Hedidn’tlikeCoraandhedidn’tcaremuchforanyofhismoredistantrelatives.UncleReubenforinstance.HesaidyoucouldnevertellwhatReubenwasupto.That’swhyhemadearrangementstoputhismoneyintrust.Alotofitwenttomuseumsandhospitals.HeleftCorawellprovidedfor,andhisdaughter’shusbandUncleFrank.”
“Butmostofittoyou?”
“Yes.AndIthinkthatworriedhimalittlebit.Hedidhisbesttogetitlookedafterforme.”
“ByUncleAndrewandbyMr.StanfordLloyd.Alawyerandabanker.”
“Yes.Isupposehedidn’tthinkIcouldlookafteritverywellbymyself.Theoddthingisthatheletmecomeintoitattheageoftwenty-one.Hedidn’tkeepitintrusttillIwastwenty-five,aslotsofpeopledo.IexpectthatwasbecauseIwasagirl.”
“That’sodd,”Isaid,“itwouldseemtomethatitoughttobetheotherwayround?”
Ellieshookherhead.“No,”shesaid,“Ithinkmygrandfatherthoughtthatyoungmaleswerealwayswildandhitthingsupandthatblondeswithevildesignsgotholdofthem.Ithinkhethoughtitwouldbeagoodthingiftheyhadplentyoftimetosowtheirwildoats.That’syourEnglishsaying,isn’tit?Buthesaidoncetome,‘Ifagirlisgoingtohaveanysenseatall,she’llhaveitattwenty-one.Itwon’tmakeanydifferencemakingherwaitfouryearslonger.Ifshe’sgoingtobeafoolshe’llbeafoolbythenjustasmuch.’Hesaid,too,”Ellielookedatmeandsmiled,“thathedidn’tthinkIwasafool.Hesaid,‘Youmayn’tknowverymuchaboutlife,butyou’vegotgoodsense,Ellie.Especiallyaboutpeople.Ithinkyoualwayswillhave.’”
“Idon’tsupposehewouldhavelikedme,”Isaidthoughtfully.
Elliehasalotofhonesty.Shedidn’ttryandreassuremebysayinganythingbutwhatwasundoubtedlythetruth.
“No,”shesaid,“Ithinkhe’dhavebeenratherhorrified.Tobeginwith,thatis.He’dhavehadtogetusedtoyou.”
“PoorEllie,”Isaidsuddenly.
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Isaidittoyouoncebefore,doyouremember?”
“Yes.Yousaidpoorlittlerichgirl.Youwerequiterighttoo.”
“Ididn’tmeanitthesamewaythistime,”Isaid.“Ididn’tmeanthatyouwerepoorbecauseyouwererich.IthinkImeant—”Ihesitated.“You’vetoomanypeople,”Isaid,“atyou.Allroundyou.Toomanypeoplewhowantthingsfromyoubutwhodon’treallycareaboutyou.That’strue,isn’tit?”
“IthinkUncleAndrewreallycaresaboutme,”saidEllie,alittledoubtfully.“He’salwaysbeennicetome,sympathetic.Theothers—no,you’requiteright.Theyonlywantthings.”
“Theycomeandcadgeoffyou,don’tthey?Borrowmoneyoffyou,wantfavours.Wantyoutogetthemoutofjams,thatsortofthing.They’reatyou,atyou,atyou!”
“Isupposeit’squitenatural,”saidElliecalmly,“butI’vedonewiththemallnow.I’mcomingtolivehereinEngland.Ishan’tseemuchofthem.”
Shewaswrongthere,ofcourse,butshehadn’tgraspedthatfactyet.StanfordLloydcameoverlaterbyhimself.HebroughtagreatmanydocumentsandpapersandthingsforEllietosignandwantedheragreementoninvestments.Hetalkedtoheraboutinvestmentsandsharesandpropertythatsheowned,andthedisposaloftrustfunds.ItwasallDoubleDutchtome.Icouldn’thavehelpedheroradvisedher.Icouldn’thavestoppedStanfordLloydfromcheatingher,either.Ihopedhewasn’t,buthowcouldanyoneignorantlikemyselfbesure?
TherewassomethingaboutStanfordLloydthatwasalmosttoogoodtobetrue.Hewasabanker,andhelookedlikeabanker.Hewasratherahandsomemanthoughnotyoung.Hewasverypolitetomeandthoughtdirtofmethoughhetriednottoshowit.
“Well,”Isaidwhenhehadfinallytakenhisdeparture,“that’sthelastofthebunch.”
“Youdidn’tthinkmuchofanyofthem,didyou?”
“Ithinkyourstepmother,Cora,isadouble-facedbitchifIeverknewone.Sorry,Ellie,perhapsIoughtn’ttosaythat.”
“Whynot,ifthat’swhatyouthink?Iexpectyou’renotfarwrong.”
“Youmusthavebeenlonely,Ellie,”Isaid.
“Yes,Iwaslonely.Iknewgirlsofmyownage.IwenttoafashionableschoolbutIwasneverreallyfree.IfImadefriendswithpeople,somehoworotherthey’dgetmeseparated,pushanothergirlatmeinstead.Youknow?Everythingwasgovernedbythesocialregister.IfI’dcaredenoughaboutanybodytomakeafuss—butInevergotfarenough.TherewasneveranybodyIreallycaredfor.NotuntilGretacame,andtheneverythingwasdifferent.Forthefirsttimesomeonewasreallyfondofme.Itwaswonderful.”Herfacesoftened.
“Iwish,”Isaid,asIturnedawaytowardsthewindow.
“Whatdoyouwish?”
“OhIdon’tknow…Iwishperhapsthatyouweren’t—weren’tquitesodependentonGreta.It’sabadthingtobeasdependentasthatonanyone.”
“Youdon’tlikeher,Mike,”saidEllie.
“Ido,”Iprotestedhurriedly.“IndeedIdo.Butyoumustrealize,Ellie,thatsheis—well,she’squiteastrangertome.Isuppose,let’sfaceit,I’mabitjealousofher.Jealousbecausesheandyou—well,Ididn’tunderstandbefore—howlinkedtogetheryouwere.”
“Don’tbejealous.She’stheonlypersonwhowasgoodtome,whocaredaboutme—tillImetyou.”
“Butyouhavemetme,”Isaid,“andyou’vemarriedme.”ThenIsaidagainwhatI’dsaidbefore.“Andwe’regoingtolivehappilyeverafterwards.”
Thirteen
I’mtryingasbestIcan,thoughthatisn’tsayingmuch,topaintapictureofthepeoplewhocameintoourlives,thatistosay:whocameintomylifebecause,ofcourse,theywereinEllie’slifealready.Ourmistakewasthatwethoughtthey’dgooutofEllie’slife.Buttheydidn’t.They’dnointentionofdoingso.However,wedidn’tknowthatthen.
TheEnglishsideofourlifewasthenextthingthathappened.Ourhousewasfinished,wehadatelegramfromSantonix.He’daskedustokeepawayforaboutaweek,thenthetelegramcame.Itsaid:“Cometomorrow.”
Wedrovedownthere,andwearrivedatsunset.Santonixheardthecarandcameouttomeetus,standinginfrontofthehouse.WhenIsawourhouse,finished,somethinginsidemeleapedup,leapedupasthoughtoburstoutofmyskin!Itwasmyhouse—andI’dgotitatlast!IheldEllie’sarmverytight.
“Likeit?”saidSantonix.
“It’sthetops,”Isaid.AsillythingtosaybutheknewwhatImeant.
“Yes,”hesaid,“it’sthebestthingI’vedone…It’scostyouamintofmoneyandit’swortheverypennyofit.I’veexceededmyestimatesallround.Comeon,Mike,”hesaid,“pickherupandcarryheroverthethreshold.That’sthethingtodowhenyouenterintopossessionwithyourbride!”
IflushedandthenIpickedupEllie—shewasquitealightweight—andcarriedherasSantonixhadsuggested,overthethreshold.AsIdidso,IstumbledjustalittleandIsawSantonixfrown.
“Thereyouare,”saidSantonix,“begoodtoher,Mike.Takecareofher.Don’tletharmcometoher.Shecan’ttakecareofherself.Shethinksshecan.”
“Whyshouldanyharmhappentome?”saidEllie.
“Becauseit’sabadworldandtherearebadpeopleinit,”saidSantonix,“andtherearesomebadpeoplearoundyou,mygirl.Iknow.I’veseenoneortwoofthem.Seenthemdownhere.Theycomenosingaround,sniffingaroundliketheratstheyare.ExcusemyFrenchbutsomebody’sgottosayit.”
“Theywon’tbotherus,”saidEllie,“they’veallgonebacktotheStates.”
“Maybe,”saidSantonix,“butit’sonlyafewhoursbyplane,youknow.”
Heputhishandsonhershoulders.Theywereverythinnow,verywhite-looking.Helookedterriblyill.
“I’dlookafteryoumyself,child,ifIcould,”hesaid,“butIcan’t.Itwon’tbelongnow.You’llhavetofendforyourself.”
“Cutoutthegipsy’swarning,Santonix,”Isaid,“andtakeusroundthehouse.Everyinchofit.”
Wewentroundthehouse.Someoftheroomswerestillemptybutmostofthethingswe’dbought,picturesandthefurnitureandthecurtains,werethere.
“Wehaven’tgotanameforit,”saidElliesuddenly.“Wecan’tcallitTheTowers,thatwasaridiclousname.Whatwastheothernameforitthatyoutoldmeonce?”shesaidtome.“Gipsy’sAcre,wasn’tit?”
“Wewon’tcallitthat,”Isaidsharply.“Idon’tlikethatname.”
“It’llalwaysbecalledthathereabouts,”saidSantonix.
“They’realotofsillysuperstitiouspeople,”Isaid.
Andthenwesatdownontheterracelookingatthesettingsunandtheview,andwethoughtofnamesforthehouse.Itwasakindofgame.Westartedquiteseriouslyandthenwebegantothinkofeverysillynamewepossiblycould.“Journey’sEnd,”“Heart’sDelight”andnameslikeboarding-houses.“Seaview,”“Fairhome,”“ThePines.”Thensuddenlyitgrewdarkandcold,andwewentindoors.Wedidn’tdrawthecurtains,justclosedthewindows.We’dbroughtdownprovisionswithus.Onthefollowingdayanexpensivelyacquireddomesticstaffwascoming.
“They’llprobablyhateitandsayit’slonelyandthey’llallgoaway,”saidEllie.
“Andthenyou’llgivethemdoublethemoneytostayon,”saidSantonix.
“Youthink,”saidEllie,“thateveryonecanbebought!”Butsheonlysaiditlaughingly.
Wehadbroughtpatéencro?tewithusandFrenchbreadandlargeredprawns.Wesatroundthetablelaughingandeatingandtalking.EvenSantonixlookedstrongandanimated,andtherewasakindofwildexcitementinhiseyes.
Andthenithappenedsuddenly.Astonecrashedinthroughthewindowanddroppedonthetable.Smashedawineglasstoo,andasliverofglassslitEllie’scheek.Foramomentwesatparalysed,thenIsprangup,rushedtothewindow,unbolteditandwentoutontheterrace.Therewasnoonetobeseen.Icamebackintotheroomagain.
IpickedupapapernapkinandbentoverEllie,wipingawayatrickleofbloodIsawcoursingdownhercheek.
“It’shurtyou…There,dear,it’snothingmuch.It’sjustaweecutfromasliverofglass.”
MyeyesmetthoseofSantonix.
“Whydidanyonedoit?”saidEllie.Shelookedbewildered.
“Boys,”Isaid,“youknow,younghooligans.Theyknew,perhaps,weweresettlingin.Idaresayyouwereluckythattheyonlythrewastone.Theymighthavehadanairgunorsomethinglikethat.”
“Butwhyshouldtheydoittous?Why?”
“Idon’tknow,”Isaid.“Justbeastliness.”
Elliegotupsuddenly.Shesaid:
“I’mfrightened.I’mafraid.”
“We’llfindouttomorrow,”Isaid.“Wedon’tknowenoughaboutthepeopleroundhere.”
“Isitbecausewe’rerichandthey’repoor?”saidEllie.SheaskeditnotofmebutofSantonixasthoughhewouldknowtheanswertothequestionbetterthanIdid.
“No,”saidSantonixslowly,“Idon’tthinkit’sthat….”
Elliesaid:
“It’sbecausetheyhateus…HateMikeandhateme.Why?Becausewe’rehappy?”
AgainSantonixshookhishead.
“No,”Elliesaid,asthoughshewereagreeingwithhim,“no,it’ssomethingelse.Somethingwedon’tknowabout.Gipsy’sAcre.Anyonewholiveshereisgoingtobehated.Goingtobepersecuted.Perhapstheywillsucceedintheendindrivingusaway….”
Ipouredoutaglassofwineandgaveittoher.
“Don’t,Ellie,”Ibeggedher.“Don’tsaysuchthings.Drinkthis.It’sanastythingtohappen,butitwasonlysilliness,crudehorseplay.”
“Iwonder,”saidEllie,“Iwonder…”Shelookedhardatme.“Somebodyistryingtodriveusaway,Mike.Todriveusawayfromthehousewe’vebuilt,thehousewelove.”
“Wewon’tletthemdriveusaway,”Isaid.Iadded,“I’lltakecareofyou.Nothingshallhurtyou.”
ShelookedagainatSantonix.
“Youshouldknow,”shesaid,“you’vebeenherewhilethehousewasbuilding.Didn’tanyoneeversayanythingtoyou?Comeandthrowstones—interferewiththebuildingofthehouse?”
“Onecanimaginethings,”saidSantonix.
“Therewereaccidents,then?”
“Therearealwaysafewaccidentsinthebuildingofahouse.Nothingseriousortragic.Amanfallsoffaladder,someonedropsaloadonhisfoot,someonegetsasplinterinhisthumbanditgoesseptic.”
“Nothingmorethanthat?Nothingthatmighthavebeenmeant?”
“No,”saidSantonix,“no.Isweartoyou,no!”
Ellieturnedtome.
“Yourememberthatgipsywoman,Mike.Howqueershewasthatday,howshewarnedmenottocomehere.”
“She’sjustabitcrazy,abitoffherhead.”
“We’vebuiltonGipsy’sAcre,”saidEllie.“We’vedonewhatshetoldusnottodo.”Thenshestampedherfoot.“Iwon’tletthemdrivemeaway.Iwon’tletanyonedrivemeaway!”
“Nobodyshalldriveusaway,”Isaid.“We’regoingtobehappyhere.”
Wesaiditlikeachallengetofate.
Fourteen
That’showourlifebeganatGipsy’sAcre.Wedidn’tfindanothernameforthehouse.ThatfirsteveningfixedGipsy’sAcreinourheads.
“We’llcallitGipsy’sAcre,”saidEllie,“justtoshow!Akindofchallenge,don’tyouthink?It’sourAcre,andtohellwiththegipsy’swarning.”
Shewasheroldgayselfagainthenextdayandsoonwewerebusygettingourselvessettledin,andgettingalsotoknowtheneighbourhoodandtheneighbours.EllieandIwalkeddowntothecottagewherethegipsywomanlived.Ifeltitwouldbeagoodthingifwefoundherdigginginhergarden.TheonlytimeElliehadseenherbeforewaswhenshetoldourfortunes.IfElliesawshewasjustanordinaryoldwoman—digginguppotatoes—butwedidn’tseeher.Thecottagewasshutup.IaskedifsheweredeadbuttheneighbourIaskedshookherhead.
“Shemusthavegoneaway,”shesaid.“Shegoesawayfromtimetotime,youknow.She’sagipsyreally.That’swhyshecan’tstayinhouses.Shewandersawayandcomesbackagain.”Shetappedherforehead.“Notquiterightuphere.”
Presentlyshesaid,tryingtomaskcuriosity,“You’vecomefromthenewhouseupthere,haven’tyou,theoneonthetopofthehill,that’sjustbeenbuilt?”
“That’sright,”Isaid,“wemovedinlastnight.”
“Wonderful-lookingplaceitis,”shesaid.“We’veallbeenuptolookatitwhileitwasbuilding.Makesadifference,doesn’tit,seeingahouselikethatwhereallthosegloomytreesusedtobe?”ShesaidtoEllierathershyly,“You’reanAmericanlady,aren’tyou,soweheard?”
“Yes,”saidEllie,“I’mAmerican—orIwas,butnowI’mmarriedtoanEnglishmansoI’manEnglishwoman.”
“Andyou’vecomeheretosettledownandlive,haven’tyou?”
Wesaidwehad.
“Well,Ihopeyou’lllikeit,I’msure.”Shesoundeddoubtful.
“Whyshouldn’twe?”
“Ohwell,it’slonelyupthere,youknow.Peopledon’talwayslikelivinginalonelyplaceamongalotoftrees.”
“Gipsy’sAcre,”saidEllie.
“Ah,youknowthelocalname,doyou?ButthehousethatwastherebeforewascalledTheTowers.Idon’tknowwhy.Ithadn’tanytowers,atleastnotinmytime.”
“IthinkTheTowersisasillyname,”saidEllie.“Ithinkwe’llgooncallingitGipsy’sAcre.”
“We’llhavetotellthepostofficeifso,”Isaid,“orweshan’tgetanyletters.”
“No,Isupposeweshan’t.”
“ThoughwhenIcometothinkofit,”Isaid,“wouldthatmatter,Ellie?Wouldn’titbemuchnicerifwedidn’tgetanyletters?”
“Itmightcausealotofcomplications,”saidEllie.“Weshouldn’tevengetourbills.”
“Thatwouldbeasplendididea,”Isaid.
“No,itwouldn’t,”saidEllie.“Bailiffswouldcomeinandcampthere.Anyway,”shesaid,“Iwouldn’tlikenottogetanyletters.I’dwanttohearfromGreta.”
“NevermindGreta,”Isaid.“Let’sgoonexploring.”
SoweexploredKingstonBishop.Itwasanicevillage,nicepeopleintheshops.Therewasnothingsinisterabouttheplace.Ourdomestichelpdidn’ttaketoitmuch,butwesoonarrangedthathiredcarsshouldtakethemintothenearestseasidetownorintoMarketChadwellontheirdaysout.Theywerenotenthusiasticaboutthelocationofthehouse,butitwasnotsuperstitionthatworriedthem.IpointedouttoEllienobodycouldsaythehousewashauntedbecauseithadbeenjustbuilt.
“No,”Ellieagreed,“it’snotthehouse.There’snothingwrongwiththehouse.It’soutside.It’sthatroadwhereitcurvesroundthroughthetreesandthatbitofrathergloomywoodwherethatwomanstoodandmademejumpsothatday.”
“Well,nextyear,”Isaid,“wemightcutdownthosetreesandplantalotofrhododendronsorsomethinglikethat.”
Wewentonmakingplans.
Gretacameandstayedwithusforaweekend.Shewasenthusiasticaboutthehouse,andcongratulatedusonallourfurnishingsandpicturesandcolourschemes.Shewasverytactful.Aftertheweekendshesaidshewouldn’tdisturbthehoneymoonersanylonger,andanywayshe’dgottogetbacktoherjob.
Ellieenjoyedshowingherthehouse.IcouldseehowfondElliewasofher.ItriedtobehaveverysensiblyandpleasantlybutIwasgladwhenGretawentbacktoLondon,becauseherstayingtherehadbeenastrainonme.
Whenwe’dbeenthereacoupleofweekswewereacceptedlocallyandmadetheacquaintanceofGod.Hecameoneafternoontocalluponus.EllieandIwerearguingaboutwherewe’dhaveaflowerborderwhenourcorrect,tomeslightlyphoney-looking,manservantcameoutfromthehousetoannouncethatMajorPhillpotwasinthedrawingroom.ItwasthenthatIsaidinawhispertoEllie:“God!”EllieaskedmewhatImeant.
“Well,thelocalstreathimlikethat,”Isaid.
SowewentinandtherewasMajorPhillpot.Hewasjustapleasant,nondescriptmanofcloseonsixty.Hewaswearingcountryclothes,rathershabby,hehadgreyhairgoingalittlethinontopandashortbristlymoustache.Heapologizedforhiswifenotbeingabletocomeandcallonus.Shewassomethingofaninvalid,hesaid.Hesatdownandchattedwithus.Nothinghesaidwasremarkableorparticularlyinteresting.Hehadtheknackofmakingpeoplefeelattheirease.Hetouchedquitelightlyonavarietyofsubjects.Hedidn’taskanydirectquestions,buthesoongotitintohisheadwhereourparticularinterestslay.HetalkedtomeaboutracingandtoEllieaboutmakingagardenandwhatthingsdidwellinthisparticularsoil.HehadbeentotheStatesonceortwice.HefoundoutthatthoughElliedidn’tcaremuchforracemeetings,shewasfondofriding.Hetoldherthatifshewasgoingtokeephorsesshecouldgoupaparticulartrackthroughthepinewoodsandshewouldcomeoutonagoodstretchofmoorwhereshecouldhaveagallop.ThenwecametothesubjectofourhouseandthestoriesaboutGipsy’sAcre.
“Iseeyouknowthelocalname,”hesaid,“andallthelocalsuperstitions,too,Iexpect.”
“Gipsies’warningsinprofusion,”Isaid.“Fartoomanyofthem.MostlyoldMrs.Lee.”
“Ohdear,”saidPhillpot.“PooroldEsther:she’sbeenanuisance,hasshe?”
“Issheabitdotty?”Iasked.
“Notsomuchasshelikestomakeout.Ifeelmoreorlessresponsibleforher.Isettledherinthatcottage,”hesaid,“notthatshe’sgratefulforit.I’mfondoftheoldthingthoughshecanbeanuisancesometimes.”
“Fortune-telling?”
“No,notparticularly.Why,hasshetoldyourfortune?”
“Idon’tknowifyoucancallitafortune,”saidEllie.“Itwasmoreawarningtousagainstcominghere.”
“Thatseemsratheroddtome.”MajorPhillpot’sratherbristlyeyebrowsrose.“She’susuallygotahoneyedtongueinfortunes.Handsomestranger,marriagebells,sixchildrenandaheapofgoodfortuneandmoneyinyourhand,prettylady.”Heimitatedratherunexpectedlythegipsywhineofhervoice.“ThegipsiesusedtocampherealotwhenIwasaboy,”hesaid.“IsupposeIgotfondofthemthen,thoughtheywereathievinglot,ofcourse.ButI’vealwaysbeenattractedtothem.Aslongasyoudon’texpectthemtobelaw-abiding,they’reallright.ManyatinmugofgipsystewI’vehadasaschoolboy.WefeltthefamilyowedMrs.Leesomething,shesavedthelifeofabrotherofminewhenhewasachild.Fishedhimoutofapondwhenhe’dgonethroughtheice.”
Imadeaclumsygestureandknockedaglassashtrayoffatable.Itsmashedintofragments.
IpickedupthepiecesandMajorPhillpothelpedme.
“IexpectMrs.Lee’squiteharmlessreally,”saidEllie.“Iwasveryfoolishtohavebeensoscared.”
“Scared,wereyou?”Hiseyebrowsroseagain.“Itwasasbadasthat,wasit?”
“Idon’twondershewasafraid,”Isaidquickly.“Itwasalmostmorelikeathreatthanawarning.”
“Athreat!”Hesoundedincredulous.
“Well,itsoundedthatwaytome.Andthenthefirstnightwemovedinheresomethingelsehappened.”
Itoldhimaboutthestonecrashingthroughthewindow.
“I’mafraidthereareagoodmanyyounghooligansaboutnowadays,”hesaid,“thoughwehaven’tgotmanyofthemroundhere—notnearlyasbadassomeplaces.Still,ithappens,I’msorrytosay.”HelookedatEllie.“I’mverysorryyouwerefrightened.Itwasabeastlythingtohappen,yourfirstnightmovingin.”
“Oh,I’vegotoveritnow,”saidEllie.“Itwasn’tonlythat,itwas—itwassomethingelsethathappenednotlongafterwards.”
Itoldhimaboutthattoo.Wehadcomedownonemorningandwehadfoundadeadbirdskeweredthroughwithaknifeandasmallpieceofpaperwithitwhichsaidinanilliteratescrawl,“Getoutofhereifyouknowwhat’sgoodforyou.”
Phillpotlookedreallyangrythen.Hesaid,“Youshouldhavereportedthattothepolice.”
“Wedidn’twantto,”Isaid.“Afterall,thatwouldonlyhaveputwhoeveritisevenmoreagainstus.”
“Well,thatkindofthinghasgottobestopped,”saidPhillpot.Suddenlyhebecamethemagistrate.“Otherwise,youknow,peoplewillgoonwiththething.Thinkit’sfunny,Isuppose.Only—onlythissoundsabitmorethanfun.Nasty—malicious—It’snot,”hesaid,ratherasthoughhewastalkingtohimself,“it’snotasthoughanyoneroundherecouldhaveagrudgeagainstyou,agrudgeagainsteitherofyoupersonally,Imean.”
“No,”Isaid,“itcouldn’tbethatbecausewe’rebothstrangershere.”
“I’lllookintoit,”Phillpotsaid.
Hegotuptogo,lookingroundhimashedid.
“Youknow,”hesaid,“Ilikethishouseofyours.Ididn’tthinkIshould.I’mabitofanoldsquare,youknow,whatusedtobecalledoldfogey.Ilikeoldhousesandoldbuildings.Idon’tlikeallthesematchboxfactoriesthataregoingupalloverthecountry.Bigboxes.Likebeehives.Ilikebuildingswithsomeornamentonthem,somegrace.ButIlikethishouse.It’splainandverymodern,Isuppose,butit’sgotshapeandlight.Andwhenyoulookoutfromityouseethings—well,inadifferentwayfromthewayyou’veseenthembefore.It’sinteresting.Veryinteresting.Whodesignedit?AnEnglisharchitectoraforeigner?”
ItoldhimaboutSantonix.
“Mm,”hesaid,“IthinkIreadabouthimsomewhere.WouldithavebeeninHouseandGarden?”
Isaidhewasfairlywellknown.
“I’dliketomeethimsometime,thoughIdon’tsupposeI’dknowwhattosaytohim.I’mnotartistic.”
Thenheaskedustosettleadaytocomeandhavelunchwithhimandhiswife.
“Youcanseehowyoulikemyhouse,”hesaid.
“It’sanoldhouse,Isuppose?”Isaid.
“Built1720.Niceperiod.TheoriginalhousewasElizabethan.Thatwasburntdownabout1700andanewonebuiltonthesamespot.”
“You’vealwayslivedherethen?”Isaid.Ididn’tmeanhimpersonally,ofcourse,butheunderstood.
“Yes.We’vebeenheresinceElizabethantimes.Sometimesprosperous,sometimesdownandout,sellinglandwhenthingshavegonebadly,buyingitbackwhenthingswentwell.I’llbegladtoshowittoyouboth,”hesaid,andlookingatElliehesaidwithasmile,“Americanslikeoldhouses,Iknow.You’retheonewhoprobablywon’tthinkmuchofit,”hesaidtome.
“Iwon’tpretendIknowmuchaboutoldthings,”Isaid.
Hestumpedoffthen.Inhiscartherewasaspanielwaitingforhim.Itwasabatteredoldcarwiththepaintrubbedoff,butIwasgettingmyvaluesbynow.IknewthatinthispartoftheworldhewasstillGodallright,andhe’dsetthesealofhisapprovalonus.Icouldseethat.HelikedEllie.Iwasinclinedtothinkthathe’dlikedme,too,althoughI’dnoticedtheappraisingglanceswhichheshotovermefromtimetotime,asthoughhewasmakingaquicksnapjudgmentonsomethinghehadn’tcomeacrossbefore.
ElliewasputtingsplintersofglasscarefullyinthewastepaperbasketwhenIcamebackintothedrawingroom.
“I’msorryit’sbroken,”shesaidregretfully.“Ilikedit.”
“Wecangetanotherlikeit,”Isaid.“It’smodern.”
“Iknow!Whatstartledyou,Mike?”
Iconsideredforamoment.
“SomethingPhillpotsaid.ItremindedmeofsomethingthathappenedwhenIwasakid.ApalofmineatschoolandIplayedtruantandwentoutskatingonalocalpond.Icewouldn’tbearus,sillylittleassesthatwewere.Hewentthroughandwasdrownedbeforeanyonecouldgethimout.”
“Howhorrible.”
“Yes.I’dforgottenallaboutituntilPhillpotmentionedabouthisownbrother.”
“Ilikehim,Mike,don’tyou?”
“Yes,verymuch.Iwonderwhathiswifeislike.”
WewenttolunchwiththePhillpotsearlythefollowingweek.ItwasawhiteGeorgianhouse,ratherbeautifulinitslines,thoughnotparticularlyexciting.Insideitwasshabbybutcomfortable.TherewerepicturesofwhatItooktobeancestorsonthewallsofthelongdiningroom.Mostofthemwereprettybad,Ithought,thoughtheymighthavelookedbetteriftheyhadbeencleaned.Therewasoneofafair-hairedgirlinpinksatinthatIrathertookto.MajorPhillpotsmiledandsaid:
“You’vepickedoneofourbest.It’saGainsborough,andagoodone,thoughthesubjectofitcausedabitoftroubleinhertime.Stronglysuspectedofhavingpoisonedherhusband.Mayhavebeenprejudice,becauseshewasaforeigner.GervasePhillpotpickedherupabroadsomewhere.”
Afewotherneighbourshadbeeninvitedtomeetus.Dr.Shaw,anelderlymanwithakindlybuttiredmanner.Hehadtorushawaybeforewehadfinishedourmeal.TherewastheVicarwhowasyoungandearnest,andamiddle-agedwomanwithabullyingvoicewhobredcorgis.AndtherewasatallhandsomedarkgirlcalledClaudiaHardcastlewhoseemedtoliveforhorses,thoughhamperedbyhavinganallergywhichgaveherviolenthayfever.
SheandElliegotontogetherratherwell.Ellieadoredridingandshetoowastroubledbyanallergy.
“IntheStatesit’smostlyragwortgivesittome,”shesaid—“buthorsestoo,sometimes.Itdoesn’ttroublememuchnowadaysbecausetheyhavesuchwonderfulthingsthatdoctorscangiveyoufordifferentkindsofallergies.I’llgiveyousomeofmycapsules.They’rebrightorange.Andifyouremembertotakeonebeforeyoustartoutyoudon’tasmuchassneezeonce.”
ClaudiaHardcastlesaidthatwouldbewonderful.
“Camelsdoittomeworsethanhorses,”shesaid.“IwasinEgyptlastyear—andthetearsjuststreameddownmyfaceallthewayroundthePyramids.”
Elliesaidsomepeoplegotitwithcats
“Andpillows.”Theywentontalkingaboutallergies.
IsatnexttoMrs.Phillpotwhowastallandwillowyandtalkedexclusivelyaboutherhealthintheintervalsofeatingaheartymeal.Shegavemeafullaccountofallhervariousailmentsandofhowpuzzledmanyeminentmembersofthemedicalprofessionhadbeenbyhercase.OccasionallyshemadeasocialdiversionandaskedmewhatIdid.Iparriedthatone,andshemadehalf-heartedeffortstofindoutwhomIknew.Icouldhaveansweredtruthfully“Nobody,”butIthoughtitwouldbewelltorefrain—especiallyasshewasn’tarealsnobanddidn’treallywanttoknow.Mrs.Corgi,whosepropernameIhadn’tcaught,wasmuchmorethoroughinherqueriesbutIdivertedhertothegeneraliniquityandignoranceofvets!Itwasallquitepleasantandpeaceful,ifratherdull.
Later,asweweremakingaratherdesultorytourofthegarden,ClaudiaHardcastlejoinedme.
Shesaid,ratherabruptly,“I’veheardaboutyou—frommybrother.”
Ilookedsurprised.Icouldn’timagineittobepossiblethatIknewabrotherofClaudiaHardcastle’s.
“Areyousure?”Isaid.
Sheseemedamused.
“Asamatteroffact,hebuiltyourhouse.”
“DoyoumeanSantonixisyourbrother?”
“Half-brother.Idon’tknowhimverywell.Werarelymeet.”
“He’swonderful,”Isaid.
“Somepeoplethinkso,Iknow.”
“Don’tyou?”
“I’mneversure.Therearetwosidestohim.Atonetimehewasgoingrightdownthehill…Peoplewouldn’thaveanythingtodowithhim.Andthen—heseemedtochange.Hebegantosucceedinhisprofessioninthemostextraordinaryway.Itwasasthoughhewas—”shepausedforaword—“dedicated.”
“Ithinkheis—justthat.”
ThenIaskedherifshehadseenourhouse.
“No—notsinceitwasfinished.”
Itoldhershemustcomeandseeit.
“Ishan’tlikeit,Iwarnyou.Idon’tlikemodernhouses.QueenAnneismyfavouriteperiod.”
ShesaidshewasgoingtoputEllieupforthegolfclub.Andtheyweregoingtoridetogether.Elliewasgoingtobuyahorse,perhapsmorethanone.SheandEllieseemedtohavemadefriends.
WhenPhillpotwasshowingmehisstableshesaidawordortwoaboutClaudia.
“Goodridertohounds,”hesaid.“Pity’sshe’smuckedupherlife.”
“Hasshe?”
“Marriedarichman,yearsolderthanherself.AnAmerican.NameofLloyd.Itdidn’ttake.Cameapartalmostatonce.Shewentbacktoherownname.Don’tthinkshe’llevermarryagain.She’santiman.Pity.”
Whenweweredrivinghome,Elliesaid:“Dull—butnice.Nicepeople.We’regoingtobeveryhappyhere,aren’twe,Mike?”
Isaid:“Yes,weare.”Andtookmyhandfromthesteeringwheelandlaiditoverhers.
Whenwegotback,IdroppedEllieatthehouse,andputawaythecarinthegarage.
AsIwalkedbacktothehouse,IheardafainttwangingofEllie’sguitar.ShehadaratherbeautifuloldSpanishguitarthatmusthavebeenworthalotofmoney.Sheusedtosingtoitinasoftlowcrooningvoice.Verypleasanttohear.Ididn’tknowwhatmostofthesongswere.Americanspiritualspartly,Ithink,andsomeoldIrishandScottishballads—sweetandrathersad.Theyweren’tpopmusicoranythingofthatkind.Perhapstheywerefolksongs.
Iwentroundbytheterraceandpausedbythewindowbeforegoingin.
Elliewassingingoneofmyfavourites.Idon’tknowwhatitwascalled.Shewascrooningthewordssoftlytoherself,bendingherheaddownovertheguitarandgentlypluckingthestrings.Ithadasweet-sadhauntinglittletune.
ManwasmadeforJoyandWoeAndwhenthiswerightlyknowThro’theWorldwesafelygo…EveryNightandeveryMornSometoMiseryareborn.EveryMornandeveryNightSomeareborntoSweetDelight,SomeareborntoSweetDelight,SomeareborntoEndlessNight…
Shelookedupandsawme.
“Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat,Mike?”
“Likewhat?”
“You’relookingatmeasthoughyoulovedme….”
“OfcourseIloveyou.HowelseshouldIbelookingatyou?”
“Butwhatwereyouthinkingjustthen?”
Iansweredslowlyandtruthfully:“IwasthinkingofyouasIsawyoufirst—standingbyadarkfirtree.”Yes,I’dbeenrememberingthatfirstmomentofseeingEllie,thesurpriseofitandtheexcitement….
Elliesmiledatmeandsangsoftly:
“EveryMornandeveryNightSomeareborntoSweetDelight,SomeareborntoSweetDelight,SomeareborntoEndlessNight.”Onedoesn’trecognizeinone’slifethereallyimportantmoments—notuntilit’stoolate.
Thatdaywhenwe’dbeentolunchwiththePhillpotsandcamebacksohappilytoourhomewassuchamoment.ButIdidn’tknowthen—notuntilafterwards.
Isaid:“SingthesongabouttheFly.”Andshechangedtoagaylittledancetuneandsang:
“LittleFly,ThySummer’splayMythoughtlesshandHasbrushedaway.AmnotIAflylikethee?OrartnotthouAmanlikeme?ForIdanceAnddrink,andsingTillsomeblindhandShallbrushmywing.IfthoughtislifeAndstrengthandbreathAndthewantOfthoughtisdeath;ThenamIAhappyflyIfIliveOrifIdie.”
Oh,Ellie—Ellie….
Fifteen
It’sastonishinginthisworldhowthingsdon’tturnoutatallthewayyouexpectthemto!
We’dmovedintoourhouseandwerelivingthereandwe’dgotawayfromeveryonejustthewayI’dmeantandplanned.Onlyofcoursewehadn’tgotawayfromeveryone.Thingscrowdedbackuponusacrosstheoceanandinotherways.
FirstofalltherewasEllie’sblastedstepmother.ShesentlettersandcablesandaskedEllietogoandseeestateagents.She’dbeensofascinated,shesaid,byourhousethatshereallymusthaveahouseofherowninEngland.Shesaidshe’dlovetospendacoupleofmonthseveryyearinEngland.Andhardonherlastcableshearrivedandhadtobetakenroundtheneighbourhoodwithlotsoforderstoview.Intheendshemoreorlesssettledonahouse.Ahouseaboutfifteenmilesawayfromus.Wedidn’twantherthere,wehatedtheidea—butwecouldn’ttellherso.Orrather,whatIreallymeanisevenifwehadtoldherso,itwouldn’thavestoppedhertakingitifshe’dwantedto.Wecouldn’torderhernottocomethere.ItwasthelastthingElliewanted.Iknewthat.However,whileshewasstillawaitingasurveyor’sreport,somecablesarrived.
UncleFrank,itseemed,hadgothimselfintoajamofsomekind.Somethingcrookedandfraudulent,Igathered,whichwouldmeanabigsumofmoneytogethimout.MorecablespassedtoandfrobetweenMr.LippincottandEllie.AndthenthereturnedouttobesometroublebetweenStanfordLloydandLippincott.TherewasarowaboutsomeofEllie’sinvestments.Ihadfelt,inmyignoranceandcredulity,thatpeoplewhowereinAmericawerealongwayaway.I’dneverrealizedthatEllie’srelationsandbusinessconnectionsthoughtnothingoftakingaplaneovertoEnglandfortwenty-fourhoursandthenflyingbackagain.FirstStanfordLloydflewoverandbackagain.ThenAndrewLippincottflewover.
ElliehadtogouptoLondonandmeetthem.Ihadn’tgotthehangofthesefinancialthings.Ithinkeverybodywasbeingfairlycarefulinwhattheysaid.ButitwassomethingtodowiththesettlingupofthetrustsonEllie,andakindofsinistersuggestionthateitherMr.LippincotthaddelayedthematteroritwasStanfordLloydwhowasholdinguptheaccounting.
InthelullbetweentheseworriesEllieandIdiscoveredourFolly.Wehadn’treallyexploredallourpropertyyet(onlythepartjustroundthehouse).Weusedtofollowuptracksthroughthewoodsandseewheretheyled.Onedaywefollowedasortofpaththathadbeensoovergrownthatyoucouldn’treallyseewhereitwasatfirst.ButwetrackeditoutandintheenditcameoutatwhatElliesaidwasaFolly.Asortoflittlewhiteridiculoustemple-lookingplace.Itwasinfairlygoodconditionsowecleareditupandhaditpaintedandweputatable,andafewchairsinit,andadivanandacornercupboardinwhichweputchinaandglasses,andsomebottles.Itwasfunreally.Elliesaidwe’dhavethepathclearedandmadeeasiertoclimbandIsaidno,itwouldbemorefunifnooneknewwhereitwasexceptus.Elliethoughtthatwasaromanticidea.
“Wecertainlywon’tletCoraknow,”IsaidandEllieagreed.
Itwaswhenwewerecomingdownfromthere,notthefirsttimebutlater,afterCorahadgoneawayandwewerehopingtobepeacefulagain,thatEllie,whowasskippingalongaheadofme,suddenlytrippedovertherootofatreeandfellandsprainedherankle.
Dr.Shawcameandsaidshe’dtakenanastysprainbutthatshe’dbeabletogetaboutagainallrightinperhapsaweek.ElliesentforGretathen.Icouldn’tobject.Therewasnoonereallytolookafterherproperly,nowomanImean.TheservantswehadwereprettyuselessandanywayElliewantedGreta.SoGretacame.
ShecameandshewasagreatblessingofcoursetoEllie.Andtomeasfarasthatwent.Shearrangedthingsandkeptthehouseholdworkingproperly.Ourservantsgavenoticeaboutnow.Theysaiditwastoolonely—butreallyIthinkCorahadupsetthem.Gretaputinadvertisementsandgotanothercouplealmostatonce.ShelookedafterEllie’sankle,amusedher,fetchedthingsforherthatsheknewsheliked,thekindofbooksandfruitandthingslikethat—thingsIknewnothingabout.Andtheyseemedfrightfullyhappytogether.ElliewascertainlydelightedtoseeGreta.AndsomehoworotherGretajustdidn’tgoawayagain…Shestoppedon.Elliesaidtome:
“Youdon’tmind,doyou,ifGretastaysonforabit?”
Isaid,“Ohno.No,ofcoursenot.”
“It’ssuchacomforthavingher,”saidEllie.“Yousee,therearesomanysortoffemalethingswecandotogether.One’sawfullylonelywithoutanotherwomanabout.”
EverydayInoticedGretawastakingabitmoreuponherself,givingorders,queeningitoverthings.IpretendedIlikedhavingGretathere,butonedaywhenElliewaslyingwithherfootupinsidethedrawingroomandGretaandIwereoutontheterrace,wesuddenlygotintoarowtogether.Ican’tremembertheexactwordsthatstartedit.SomethingthatGretasaid,itannoyedmeandIansweredsharplyback.Andthenwewenton,hammerandtongs.Ourvoicesrose.Sheletmehaveit,sayingallthevicious,unkindthingsshecouldthinkof,andIprettywellgaveherasgoodasIwasgetting.Toldhershewasabossy,interferingfemale,thatshe’dfartoomuchinfluenceoverEllie,thatIwasn’tgoingtostandhavingElliebossedaboutthewholetime.WeshoutedateachotherandthensuddenlyElliecamehobblingoutontheterracelookingfromonetotheotherofus,andIsaid:
“Darling,I’msorry.I’mterriblysorry.”
IwentbackintothehouseandsettledEllieonthesofaagain.Shesaid:
“Ididn’trealize.Ididn’trealizeabitthatyou—thatyoureallyhatedhavingGretahere.”
Isoothedherandcalmedherandsaidshemustn’ttakeanynotice,thatIjustlostmytemper,thatIwasratherquarrelsomesometimes.IsaidallthatwasthematterwasthatIthoughtGretawasjustabitbossy.Perhapsthatwasnaturalenoughbecauseshe’dbeenusedtobeingso.AndintheendIsaidIreallylikedGretaverymuch,itwasjustthatI’dlostmytemperbecauseI’dbeenupsetandworried.SoitendedthatIpracticallybeggedGretatostayon.
Itwasquiteascenewe’dhad.Ithinkquiteagoodmanyotherpeopleinthehousehadhearditaswell.Ournewmanservantandhiswifecertainlydid.WhenIgetangryIdoshout.IdaresayIreallyoverdiditabit.I’mlikethat
GretaseemedtomakeapointofworryingagreatdealaboutEllie’shealth,sayingsheoughtn’ttodothis,orthat
“Sheisn’treallyverystrong,youknow,”shesaidtome.
“There’snothingwrongwithEllie,”Isaid,“she’salwaysperfectlywell.”
“No,sheisn’t,Mike.She’sdelicate.”
WhenDr.ShawnextcametohavealookatEllie’sankleandtotellher,bytheway,thatitwasquiteallrightagain,justbinditupifshewasgoingtowalkoverroughground,Isaidtohim,Isupposeinratherthefoolishwaythatmendo:
“Sheisn’tdelicateoranything,isshe,Dr.Shaw?”
“Whosaysshe’sdelicate?”Dr.Shawwasthekindofpractitionerthatisfairlyrarenowadaysandwas,indeed,knownlocallyas“Leave-it-to-NatureShaw.”
“NothingwrongwithherasfarasIcansee,”hesaid.“Anyonecansprainanankle.”
“Ididn’tmeanherankle.Iwonderedifshehadaweakheartoranythinglikethat.”
Helookedatmethroughthetopofhisspectacles.“Don’tstartimaginingthings,youngman.Whatputitintoyourhead?You’renotthetypethatworriesusuallyaboutwomen’sailments.”
“ItwasonlywhatMissAndersensaid.”
“Ah.MissAndersen.Whatdoessheknowaboutit?Notmedicallyqualified,isshe?”
“Ohno,”Isaid.
“Yourwife’sawomanofgreatwealth,”hesaid,“accordingtolocalgossipanyway.OfcoursesomepeoplejustimagineallAmericansarerich.”
“Sheiswealthy,”Isaid.
“Well,youmustrememberthis.Richwomengettheworstofitinmanyways.Somedoctororotherisalwaysgivingthempowdersandpills,stimulantsorpeppills,ortranquillizers,thingsthatonthewholethey’dbebetterwithout.Nowthevillagewomenaremuchhealthierbecausenobodyworriesabouttheirhealthinthesameway.”
“Shedoestakesomecapsulesorsomething,”Isaid.
“I’llgiveheracheck-upifyoulike.Mightaswellfindoutwhatmuckshe’sbeengiven.Icantellyou,beforenowI’vesaidtopeople‘chuckthewholelotinthewastepaperbasket.’”
HespoketoGretabeforeheleft.Hesaid:
“Mr.RogersaskedmetogiveMrs.Rogersageneralcheck-up.Ican’tfindanythingmuchwrongwithher.Ithinkmoreexerciseintheopenairmightdohergood.Whatdoesshetakeinthewayofmedicines?”
“Shehassometabletsthatshetakeswhenshe’stired,andsomethatshetakesforsleepingifshewantsthem.”
SheandDr.ShawwentandhadalookatEllie’sprescriptions.Elliewassmilingalittle.
“Idon’ttakeallthesethings,Dr.Shaw,”shesaid.“Onlytheallergycapsules.”
Shawtookalookatthecapsules,readtheprescriptionandsaidtherewasnoharminthat,andpassedontoaprescriptionforsleepingpills.
“Anytroublewithsleeping?”
“Notlivinginthecountry.Idon’tthinkI’vetakenasinglesleepingpillsinceI’vebeenhere.”
“Well,that’sagoodthing.”Hepattedherontheshoulder.“There’snothingwrongwithyou,mydear.Inclinedtoworryabitsometimes,Ishouldsay.That’sall.Thesecapsulesaremildenough.Lotsofpeopletakethemnowadaysandtheydon’tdothemanyharm.Goonwiththembutleavethesleepingpillsalone.”
“Idon’tknowwhyIworried,”IsaidtoEllieapologetically.“IsupposeitwasGreta.”
“Oh,”saidEllieandlaughed,“Gretafussesaboutme.Shenevertakesanyremediesherself.”Shesaid,“We’llhaveaturnout,Mike,andthrowmostofthesethingsaway.”
Elliewasgettingonveryfriendlytermswithmostofourneighboursnow.ClaudiaHardcastlecameoverquiteoftenandsheandElliewentridingtogetheroccasionally.Ididn’tride,I’ddealtwithcarsandmechanicalthingsallmylife.Ididn’tknowthefirstthingaboutahorseinspiteofmuckingoutstablesinIrelandforaweekortwoonce,butIthoughttomyselfthatsometimeorotherwhenwewereinLondonI’dgotoaposhridingstableandlearnhowtorideproperly.Ididn’twanttostartdownhere.Peoplewouldlaughatmeverylikely.IthoughtridingwasperhapsgoodforEllie.Sheseemedtoenjoyit.
Gretaencouragedhertoride,althoughGretaherselfalsoknewnothingabouthorses.
EllieandClaudiawenttogethertoasaleandonClaudia’sadviceEllieboughtherselfahorse,achestnutcalledConquer.IurgedEllietobecarefulwhenshewentoutridingbyherselfbutshelaughedatme.
“I’veriddensinceIwasthreeyearsold,”shesaid.
Sosheusuallywentforarideabouttwoorthreetimesaweek.GretausedtodrivethecarandgointoMarketChadwelltodotheshopping.
OnedayGretasaidatlunchtime:“Youandyourgipsies!Therewasaterrible-lookingoldwomanthismorning.Shestoodinthemiddleoftheroad.Imighthaverunoverher.Juststoodsmackinfrontofthecar.Ihadtopullup.Comingupthehilltoo.”
“Why,whatdidshewant?”
Elliewaslisteningtousbothbutshedidn’tsayanything.Ithought,though,thatshelookedratherworried.
“Damn”cheek,shethreatenedme,”saidGreta.
“Threatenedyou?”Isaidsharply.
“Well,shetoldmetogetoutofhere.Shesaid:‘Thisisgipsylandhere.Goback.Gobackthelotofyou.Gobacktowhereyoucamefromifyouwishtobesafe.’Andsheliftedupherfistandshookitatme.Shesaid:‘IfIcurseyou,’shesaid,‘there’llbenogoodluckforyoueveragain.Buyingourlandandraisinghousesonourland.Wedon’twanthouseswheretentdwellersshouldbe.’”
Gretasaidalotmore.Elliesaidtomeafterwards,frowningalittle:
“Itallsoundedmostimprobable,didn’tyouthinkso,Mike?”
“IthinkGretawasexaggeratingabit,”Isaid.
“Itdidn’tsoundrightsomehow,”saidEllie.“IwonderifGretawasmakingsomeofitup.”
Iconsidered.“Whywouldshewanttomakethingsup?”ThenIaskedsharply,“Youhaven’tseenourEstherlately,haveyou?Notwhenyouareoutriding?”
“Thegipsywoman?No.”
“Youdon’tsoundquitesure,Ellie,”Isaid.
“IthinkI’vecaughtglimpsesofher,”saidEllie.“Youknow,standingamongthetreespeeringoutbutnevernearenoughformetobesure.”
ButElliecamebackfromarideoneday,whiteandshaking.Theoldwomanhadcomeoutfrominbetweenthetrees.Elliehadreinedupandstoppedtospeaktoher.Shesaidtheoldwomanwasshakingherfistandmutteringunderherbreath.Elliesaid,“ThistimeIwasangry,Isaidtoher:
’Whatdoyouwanthere?Thislanddoesn’tbelongtoyou.It’sourlandandourhouse.’”
Theoldwomanhadsaidthen:
“It’llneverbeyourlandandit’llneverbelongtoyou.IwarnedyouonceandI’vewarnedyoutwice.Ishan’twarnyouagain.Itwon’tbelongnow—Icantellyouthat.It’sDeathIsee.Therebehindyourleftshoulder.It’sDeathstandingbyyouandit’sDeathwillhaveyou.Thathorseyou’reridinghasgotonewhitefoot.Don’tyouknowthatit’sbadlucktorideahorsewithonewhitefoot?It’sDeathIseeandthegrandhouseyou’vebuiltfallinginruins!”
“Thishasgottobestopped,”Isaidangrily.
Elliedidn’tlaughitoffthistime.BothsheandGretalookedupset.Iwentstraightdowntothevillage.IwentfirsttoMrs.Lee’scottage.IhesitatedforamomentbuttherewasnolightthereandIwentontothepolicestation.IknewtheSergeantinCharge,SergeantKeene,asquare,sensibleman.Helistenedtome,thenhesaid:
“I’msorryyou’vehadthistrouble.She’saveryoldwomanandshemaybegettingtiresome.We’veneverhadmuchrealtroublewithheruptonow.I’llspeaktoherandtellhertolayoff.”
“Ifyouwould,”Isaid.
Hehesitatedaminuteandthensaid:
“Idon’tliketosuggestthings—butasfarasyouknow,Mr.Rogers,isthereanyonearoundherewhomight—perhapsforsometrivialcause—haveitinforyouoryourwife?”
“Ishouldthinkitmostunlikely.Why?”
“OldMrs.Leehasbeenflushofmoneylately—Idon’tknowwhereit’scomingfrom—”
“Whatareyousuggesting?”
“Itcouldbesomeoneispayingher—someonewhowantsyououtofhere.Therewasanincident—agoodmanyyearsago.Shetookmoneyfromsomeoneinthevillage—tofrightenaneighbouraway.Doingthissamesortofstuff—threats—warnings—evileyebusiness—Villagepeoplearesuperstitious.You’dbesurprisedatthenumberofvillagesinEnglandthathavegottheirprivatewitch,sotospeak.ShegotawarningthenandsofarasIknowshe’snevertrieditonsince—butitcouldbelikethat.She’sfondofmoney—they’lldoalotformoney—”
ButIcouldn’tacceptthatidea.IpointedouttoKeenethatwewerecompletestrangershere.“We’venothadtimetomakeenemies,”Isaid.
Iwalkedbacktothehouseworriedandperplexed.AsIturnedthecorneroftheterrace,IheardthefaintsoundofEllie’sguitar,andatallfigure,whohadbeenstandingbythewindowlookingin,wheeledroundandcametowardsme.ForamomentIthoughtitwasagipsy,thenIrelaxedasIrecognizedSantonix.
“Oh,”Isaidwithaslightgasp,“it’syou.Wherehaveyousprungfrom?We’venotheardfromyouforages.”
Hedidn’tanswermedirectly.Hejustcaughtmyarmanddrewmeawayfromthewindow.
“Soshe’shere!”hesaid.“I’mnotsurprised.Ithoughtshe’dcomesoonerorlater.Whydidyoulether?She’sdangerous.Yououghttoknowthat.”
“YoumeanEllie?”
“No,no,notEllie.Theotherone!What’shername?Greta?”
Istaredathim.
“DoyouknowwhatGreta’slikeordon’tyou?She’scome,hasn’tshe?Takenpossession!Youwon’tgetridofhernow.She’scometostay.”
“Elliesprainedherankle,”Isaid.“Gretacametolookafterher.She’s—Isupposeshe’sgoingsoon.”
“Youdon’tknowanythingofthekind.Shealwaysmeanttocome.Iknewthat.Itookhermeasurewhenshecamedownwhilethehousewasbuilding.”
“Ellieseemstowanther,”Imuttered
“Ohyes,she’sbeenwithElliesometime,hasn’tshe?SheknowshowtomanageEllie.”
ThatwaswhatLippincotthadsaid.I’dseenformyselflatelyhowtrueitwas
“Doyouwantherhere,Mike?”
“Ican’tthrowheroutofthehouse,”Isaidirritably.“She’sEllie’soldfriend.Herbestfriend.WhatthehellcanIdoaboutit?”
“No,”saidSantonix,“Isupposeyoucan’tdoanything,canyou?”
Helookedatme.Itwasaverystrangeglance.Santonixwasastrangeman.Youneverknewwhathiswordsreallymeant
“Doyouknowwhereyou’regoing,Mike?”hesaid.“Haveyouanyidea?SometimesIdon’tthinkyouknowanythingatall.”
“OfcourseIknow,”Isaid.“I’mdoingwhatIwantto.I’mgoingwhereIwanted.”
“Areyou?Iwonder.Iwonderifyoureallyknowwhatyouwantyourself.I’mafraidforyouwithGreta.She’sstrongerthanyouare,youknow.”
“Idon’tseehowyoumakethatout.Itisn’taquestionofstrength.”
“Isn’tit?Ithinkitis.She’sthestrongkind,thekindthatalwaysgetsherway.Youdidn’tmeantohaveherhere.That’swhatyousaid.Butheresheis,andI’vebeenwatchingthem.SheandElliesittingtogether,athometogether,chatteringandsettledin.Whatareyou,Mike?Theoutsider?Oraren’tyouanoutsider?”
“You’recrazy,thethingsyousay.Whatdoyoumean—I’manoutsider?I’mEllie’shusband,aren’tI?”
“AreyouEllie’shusbandorisEllieyourwife?”
“You’redaft,”Isaid.“What’sthedifference?”
Hesighed.Suddenly,hisshoulderssaggedasthoughvigourwentoutofhim.
“Ican’treachyou,”saidSantonix.“Ican’tmakeyouhearme.Ican’tmakeyouunderstand.SometimesIthinkyoudounderstand,sometimesIthinkyoudon’tknowanythingatallaboutyourselforanyoneelse.”
“Lookhere,”Isaid,“I’lltakesomuchfromyou,Santonix.You’reawonderfularchitect—but—”
Hisfacechangedinthequeerwayithad.
“Yes,”hesaid,“I’magoodarchitect.ThishouseisthebestthingIhavedone.I’masnearaspossiblesatisfiedwithit.Youwantedahouselikethis.AndElliewantedahouselikethis,too,toliveinwithyou.She’sgotitandyou’vegotit.Sendthatotherwomanaway,Mike,beforeit’stoolate.”
“HowcanIupsetEllie?”
“Thatwoman’sgotyouwhereshewantsyou,”saidSantonix.
“Lookhere,”Isaid,“Idon’tlikeGreta.Shegetsonmynerves.TheotherdayIevenhadafrightfulrowwithher.Butnoneofit’sassimpleasyouthink.”
“No,itwon’tbesimplewithher.”
“WhoevercalledthisplaceGipsy’sAcreandsaidithadacurseonitmayhavehadsomething,”Isaidangrily.“We’vegotgipsieswhojumpoutfrombehindtreesandshakefistsatusandwarnusthatifwedon’tgetoutofhere,someawfulfatewillhappentous.Thisplacethatoughttobegoodandbeautiful.”
Theywerequeerwordstosay,thoselastones.Isaidthemasthoughitwassomebodyelsesayingthem.
“Yes,itshouldbelikethat,”saidSantonix.“Itshouldbe.Butitcan’tbe,canit,ifthereissomethingevilpossessingit?”
“Youdon’tbelieve,surely,in—”
“TherearemanyqueerthingsIbelieve…Iknowsomethingaboutevil.Don’tyourealize,haven’tyouoftenfelt,thatIampartlyevilmyself?Alwayshavebeen.That’swhyIknowwhenit’snearme,althoughIdon’talwaysknowexactlywhereitis…IwantthehouseIbuiltpurgedofevilYouunderstandthat?”Histonewasmenacing.“Youunderstandthat?Itmatterstome.”
Thenhiswholemannerchanged.
“Comeon,”hesaid,“don’tlet’stalkalotofnonsense.Let’scomeinandseeEllie.”
SowewentinthroughthewindowandElliegreetedSantonixwithenormouspleasure.
Santonixshowedallhisnormalmannerthatevening.Therewerenomorehistrionics,hewashisownself,charming,lighthearted.HetalkedmostlytoGreta,givingherasitwerethespecialbenefitofhischarm.Andhehadalotofcharm.Anyonewouldhaveswornthathewasimpressedbyher,thathelikedher,thathewasanxioustopleaseher.ItmademefeelthatSantonixwasreallyadangerousman,therewasagreatdealmoretohimthanIhadeverglimpsed.
Gretaalwaysrespondedtoadmiration.Sheshowedherselfatherbest.ShecouldonoccasiondimherbeautyorelserevealitandtonightshelookedasbeautifulasI’deverseenher.SmilingatSantonix,listeningtohimasthoughspellbound.Iwonderedwhatlaybehindhismanner.YouneverknewwithSantonix.Elliesaidshehopedhewasstayingforseveraldaysbutheshookhishead.Hehadtoleaveonthefollowingday,hesaid.
“Areyoubuildingsomethingnow,areyoubusy?”
Hesaidno,he’djustcomeoutofhospital.
“They’vepatchedmeuponcemore,”hesaid,“butit’sprobablyforthelasttime.”
“Patchedyouup?Whatdotheydotoyou?”
“Drainthebadbloodoutofmybodyandputsomegood,freshredbloodin,”hesaid.
“Oh.”Elliegavealittleshudder.
“Don’tworry,”saidSantonix,“itwillneverhappentoyou.”
“Butwhyhasitgottohappentoyou?”saidEllie.“It’scruel.”
“Notcruel,no,”saidSantonix.“Iheardwhatyouweresingingjustnow.
“ManwasmadeforJoyandWoeAndwhenthiswerightlyknowThro’theWorldwesafelygo.
“IgosafelybecauseIknowwhyI’mhere.Andforyou,Ellie:
“EveryMornandeveryNightSomeareborntoSweetDelight.
“That’syou.”
“IwishIcouldfeelsafe,”saidEllie.
“Don’tyoufeelsafe?”
“Idon’tliketobethreatened,”saidEllie.“Idon’tlikeanyonetoputacurseonme.”
“You’retalkingaboutyourgipsy?”
“Yes.”
“Forgetit,”saidSantonix.“Forgetitfortonight.Let’sbehappy.Ellie—yourhealth—Longlifetoyou—andaquickandmercifulendtome—andgoodlucktoMikehere—”Hestopped,hisglassraisedtowardsGreta.
“Yes?”saidGreta.“Andtome?”
“Andtoyou,what’scomingtoyou!Success,perhaps?”headded,halfquizzicallywithanironicquestioninhistone.
Hewentawaynextmorningearly.
“Whatastrangemanheis,”Elliesaid.“I’veneverunderstoodhim.”
“Ineverunderstandhalfofwhathesays,”Ianswered.
“Heknowsthings,”saidElliethoughtfully.
“Youmeanheknowsthefuture?”
“No,”saidEllie,“Ididn’tmeanthat.Heknowspeople.Isaidittoyouoncebefore.Heknowspeoplebetterthantheyknowthemselves.Sometimeshehatesthembecauseofthat,andsometimeshe’ssorryforthem.He’snotsorryforme,though,”sheaddedmeditatively
“Whyshouldhebe?”Idemanded.
“Oh,because—”saidEllie.
Sixteen
ItwasthenextdayintheafternoonthatasIwaswalkingratherrapidlyinthedarkestpartofthewoodwheretheshadeofthepinetreeswasmoremenacingthananywhereelse,Isawthefigureofatallwomanstandinginthedrive.Itookaquickimpulsivestepoffthepath.I’dtakenitforgrantedthatshewasourgipsybutIstoppedinsuddenrecoilwhenIsawwhoitactuallywas.Itwasmymother.Shestoodtheretallandgrimandgrey-haired.
“GoodLord,”Isaid,“youstartledme,Mum.Whatareyoudoinghere?Cometoseeus?We’veaskedyouoftenenough,haven’twe?”
Wehadn’tactually.I’dextendedoneratherlukewarminvitation,thatwasall.I’dputit,too,inawaywhichmadeitprettysurethatmymotherwouldn’taccept.Ididn’twantherhere.I’dneverwantedherhere.
“You’reright,”shesaid.“I’vecometoseeyouatlast.Toseeall’swellwithyou.Sothisisthegrandhouseyou’vebuilt,anditisagrandhouse,”shesaid,lookingovermyshoulder.
IthoughtIdetectedinhervoicethedisapprovingaciditythatI’dexpectedtofind.
“Toograndforthelikesofme,eh?”Isaid.
“Ididn’tsaythat,lad.”
“Butyouthoughtit.”
“Itwasn’twhatyouwerebornto,andnogoodcomesfromgettingoutofyourstationinlife.”
“Nobody’devergetanywhereiftheylistenedtoyou.”
“Aye,Iknowthat’swhatyousayandthink,butIdon’tknowwhatgoodambition’severdonetoanybody.It’sthekindofthingthatturnstodead-seafruitinyourmouth.”
“Ah,forGod’ssakedon’tcroak,”Isaid.“Comeon.Comealonguptoseeourgrandhouseforyourselfandturnupyournoseatit.Andcomeandseemygrandwife,too,andturnupyournoseatherifyoudare.”
“Yourwife?I’veseenheralready.”
“Whatdoyoumean,you’veseenheralready?”Idemanded.
“Soshedidn’ttellyou,eh?”
“What?”Idemanded.
“Thatshecametoseeme.”
“Shecametoseeyou?”Iasked,dumbfounded.
“Yes.Thereshewasonedaystandingoutsidethedoor,ringingthebellandlookingalittlescared.She’saprettylassandasweetoneforallthefineclothesshehadon.Shesaid,‘You’reMike’smother,aren’tyou?’andIsaid,‘Yes,andwhoareyou?’andshesaid,‘I’mhiswife.’Shesaid,‘Ihadtocometoseeyou.Itdidn’tseemrightthatIshouldn’tknowMike’smother…’AndIsaid,‘Ibethedidn’twantyouto’andshehesitated,andIsaid:‘Youdon’tneedtomindtellingmethat.IknowmyboyandIknowwhathe’dwantornotwant.’Shesaid,‘Youthink—perhapshe’sashamedofyoubecauseheandyouarepoorandI’mrich,butitisn’tlikethatatall.Thatisn’tlikehimatall.Itisn’t,reallyitisn’t.’Isaidagain,‘Youdon’tneedtotellme,lass.Iknowwhatfaultsmyboyhas.That’snotoneofhisfaults.He’snotashamedofhismotherandhe’snotashamedofhisbeginnings.
“‘He’snotashamedofme,’Isaidtoher.‘He’safraidofmeifanything.Iknowtoomuchabouthim,yousee.’Andthatseemedtoamuseher.Shesaid,‘Iexpectmothersalwaysfeellikethat—thattheyknowallabouttheirsons.AndIexpectsonsalwaysfeelembarrassedjustbecauseofthat!’
“Isaidinawaythatmightbetrue.Whenyou’reyoung,you’realwaysputtingonanacttotheworld.Imindmyself,whenIwasachildinmyauntie’shouse.Onthewallovermybedtherewasagreatbigeyeinagiltframe.Itsaid‘ThouGodseestme.’GavemethecreepsitdidallupmyspinebeforeIwenttosleep.”
“Ellieshouldhavetoldmeshe’dbeentoseeyou,”Isaid.“Idon’tseewhysheshouldkeepitsuchasecret.Sheshouldhavetoldme.”
Iwasangry.Iwasveryangry.I’dhadnoideathatElliewouldkeepsecretslikethatfromme.
“Shewasalittlescaredofwhatshe’ddone,maybe,butshe’dnocalltobefrightenedofyou,myboy.”
“Comeon,”Isaid,“comeonandseeourhouse.”
Idon’tknowwhethershelikedourhouseornot.Ithinknot.Shelookedroundtheroomsandraisedhereyebrowsandthenshewentintotheterraceroom.EllieandGretaweresittingthere.They’djustcomeinfromoutsideandGretahadascarletwoolcloakhalfoverhershoulders.Mymotherlookedatthemboth.Shejuststoodthereforamomentasthoughrootedtothespot.Elliejumpedupandcameforwardandacrosstheroom.
“Oh,it’sMrs.Rogers,”shesaid,thenturningtoGreta,shesaid,“It’sMike’smothercometoseeourhouseandus.Isn’tthatnice?ThisismyfriendGretaAndersen.”
AndsheheldoutbothherhandsandtookMum’sandMumlookedhardatherandthenlookedoverhershoulderatGretaveryhard.
“Isee,”shesaidtoherself,“Isee.”
“Whatdoyousee?”askedEllie.
“Iwondered,”saidMum.“Iwonderedwhatitwouldallbelikehere.”Shelookedroundher.“Yes,it’safinehouse.Finecurtainsandfinechairsandfinepictures.”
“Youmusthavesometea,”saidEllie.
“Youlookasifyou’vefinishedtea.”
“Tea’sathingthatneedneverbefinished,”saidEllie,thenshesaidtoGreta,“Iwon’tringthebell.Greta,willyougoouttothekitchenandmakeafreshpotoftea?”
“Ofcourse,darling,”saidGretaandwentoutoftheroomlookingoverhershoulderonceinasharp,almostscaredwayatmymother.
Mymothersatdown.
“Where’syourluggage?”saidEllie.“Haveyoucometostay?Ihopeyouhave.”
“No,lass,Iwon’tstay.I’mgoingbackbytraininhalfanhour’stime.Ijustwantedtolookinonyou.”Thensheaddedratherquickly,probablybecauseshewishedtogetitoutbeforeGretacameback,“Nowdon’tworryyourself,love,Itoldhimhowyoucametoseemeandpaidmeavisit.”
“I’msorry,Mike,thatIdidn’ttellyou,”saidElliefirmly,“onlyIthoughtperhapsI’dbetternot.”
“Shecameoutofthekindnessofherheart,shedid,”saidmymother.“She’sagoodgirlyou’vemarried,Mike,andaprettyone.Yes,averyprettyone.”Thensheaddedhalfaudibly,“Iamsorry.”
“Sorry,”saidEllie,faintlypuzzled.
“SorryforthinkingthethingsIdid,”saidmymotherandaddedwithaslightairofstrain,“Well,asyousay,mothersarelikethat.Alwaysinclinedtobesuspiciousofdaughters-in-law.ButwhenIsawyou,Iknewhe’dbeenlucky.Itseemedtoogoodtobetruetome,thatitdid.”
“Whatimpertinence,”Isaid,butIsmiledatherasIsaidit.“Ialwayshadexcellenttaste.”
“You’vealwayshadexpensivetaste,that’swhatyoumean,”saidmymotherandlookedatthebrocadecurtains.
“I’mnotreallytheworseforbeinganexpensivetaste,”saidEllie,smilingather.
“Youmakehimsaveabitofmoneyfromtimetotime,”saidMum,“it’llbegoodforhischaracter.”
“Irefusetohavemycharacterimproved,”Isaid.“Theadvantageoftakingawifeisthatthewifethinkseverythingyoudoisperfect.Isn’tthatso,Ellie?”
Elliewaslookinghappyagainnow.Shelaughedandsaid:
“You’reaboveyourself,Mike!Theconceitofyou.”
Gretacamebackthenwiththeteapot.We’dbeenalittleillateaseandwewerejustgettingoverit.SomehowwhenGretacamebackthestraincameoutagain.MymotherresistedallendeavoursonEllie’sparttomakeherstayoverandElliedidn’tinsistafterashortwhile.SheandIwalkeddowntogetherwithmymotheralongthewindingdrivethroughthetreesandtothegateway.
“Whatdoyoucallit?”mymotheraskedabruptly.
Elliesaid,“Gipsy’sAcre.”
“Ah,”saidmymother,“yesyou’vegotgipsiesaroundhere,haven’tyou?”
“Howdidyouknowthat?”Iasked.
“IsawoneasIcameup.Shelookedatmequeer,shedid.”
“She’sallrightreally,”Isaid,“alittlehalf-baked,that’sall.”
“Whydoyousayshe’shalf-baked?She’dafunnylooktoherwhenshelookedatme.She’sgotagrievanceagainstyouofsomekind?”
“Idon’tthinkit’sreal,”saidEllie.“Ithinkshe’simagineditall.Thatwe’vedoneheroutofherlandorsomethinglikethat.”
“Iexpectshewantsmoney,”saidmymother.“Gipsiesarelikethat.Makeabigsonganddancesometimesofhowthey’vebeendonedownonewayoranother.Buttheysoonstopwhentheygetsomemoneyintheiritchingpalms.”
“Youdon’tlikegipsies,”saidEllie
“They’reathievinglot.Theydon’tworksteadyandtheydon’tkeeptheirhandsoffwhatdoesn’tbelongtothem.”
“Ohwell,”Elliesaid,“we—we—don’tworryanymorenow.”
Mymothersaidgood-byeandthenadded,“Who’stheyoungladythatliveswithyou?”
EllieexplainedhowGretahadbeenwithherforthreeyearsbeforeshemarriedandhowbutforGretashewouldhavehadamiserablelife.
“Greta’sdoneeverythingtohelpus.She’sawonderfulperson,”saidEllie.“Iwouldn’tknowhow—howtogetonwithouther.”
“She’slivingwithyouoronavisit?”
“Ohwell,”saidEllie.Sheavoidedthequestion.“She—she’slivingwithusatpresentbecauseIsprainedmyankleandhadtohavesomeonetolookafterme.ButI’mallrightagainnow.”
“Marriedpeopledobestalonetogetherwhenthey’restarting,”mymothersaid.
Westoodbythegatewatchingmymothermarchaway.
“She’sgotaverystrongpersonality,”saidElliethoughtfully.
IwasangrywithEllie,reallyveryangrybecauseshe’dgoneandfoundoutmymotherandvisitedherwithouttellingme.Butwhensheturnedandstoodlookingatmewithoneeyebrowraisedalittleandthefunnyhalf-timid,half-satisfiedlittle-girlsmileonherface,Icouldn’thelprelenting.
“Whatadeceitfullittlethingyouare,”Isaid.
“Well,”saidEllie,“I’vehadtobesometimes,yousee.”
“That’slikeaShakespeareplayIoncesaw.TheydiditataschoolIwasat.”Iquotedself-consciously,“‘Shehasdeceiv’dherfatherandmaythee.’”
“Whatdidyouplay—Othello?”
“No,”Isaid,“Iplayedthegirl’sfather.That’swhyIrememberthatspeech,Isuppose.It’spracticallytheonlythingIhadtosay.”
“‘Shehasdeceiv’dherfatherandmaythee,’”saidElliethoughtfully.“Ididn’tevendeceivemyfatherasfarasIknow.PerhapsIwouldhavelater.”
“Idon’tsupposehewouldhavetakenverykindlytoyourmarryingme,”Isaid,“anymorethanyourstepmotherdid.”
“No,”saidEllie,“Idon’tsupposehewould.HewasprettyconventionalIthink.”Thenshegavethatfunnylittle-girlsmileagain.“SoIsupposeI’dhavehadtobelikeDesdemonaanddeceivedmyfatherandrunawaywithyou.”
“Whydidyouwanttoseemymothersomuch,Ellie?”Iaskedcuriously.
“It’snotsomuchIwantedtoseeher,”saidEllie,“butIfeltterriblybadnotdoinganythingaboutit.Youhaven’tmentionedyourmotherveryoftenbutIdidgatherthatshe’salwaysdoneeverythingshecouldforyou.Cometotherescueaboutthingsandworkedveryhardtogetyouextraschoolingandthingslikethat.AndIthoughtitseemedsomeanandpurse-proudofmenottogonearher.”
“Well,itwouldn’thavebeenyourfault,”Isaid,“itwouldhavebeenmine.”
“Yes,”saidEllie.“Icanunderstandthatperhapsyoudidn’twantmetogoandseeher.”
“YouthinkI’vegotaninferioritycomplexaboutmymother?That’snottrueatall,Ellie,Iassureyouitisn’t.Itwasn’tthat.”
“No,”saidElliethoughtfully,“Iknowthatnow.Itwasbecauseyoudidn’twanthertodoalotofmotherstuff.”
“Motherstuff?”Iqueried.
“Well,”saidEllie,“Icanseethatshe’sthekindofpersonwhowouldknowquitewellwhatotherpeopleoughttodo.Imean,she’dwantyoutogoinforcertainkindsofjobs.”
“Quiteright,”Isaid.“Steadyjobs.Settlingdown.”
“Itwouldn’thavematteredverymuchnow,”saidEllie.“Idaresayitwasverygoodadvice.Butitwouldn’thavebeentherightadviceeverforyou,Mike.You’renotasettlerdown.Youdon’twanttobesteady.Youwanttogoandseethingsanddothings—beontopoftheworld.”
“Iwanttostayhereinthishousewithyou,”Isaid.
“Forawhile,perhaps…AndIthink—Ithinkyou’llalwayswanttocomebackhere.AndsoshallI.IthinkweshallcomehereeveryyearandIthinkweshallbehappierherethananywhereelse.Butyou’llwanttogoplacestoo.You’llwanttotravelandseethingsandbuythings.Perhapsthinkupnewplansfordoingthegardenhere.Perhapswe’llgoandlookatItaliangardens,Japanesegardens,landscapegardensofallkinds.”
“Youmakelifeseemveryexciting,Ellie,”Isaid.“I’msorryIwascross.”
“Oh,Idon’tmindyourbeingcross,”saidEllie.“I’mnotafraidofyou.”Thensheadded,withafrown:“Yourmotherdidn’tlikeGreta.”
“Alotofpeopledon’tlikeGreta,”Isaid.
“Includingyou.”
“Nowlookhere,Ellie,you’realwayssayingthat.It’snottrue.Iwasjustabitjealousofheratfirst,thatwasall.Wegetonverywellnow.”AndIadded,“Ithinkperhapsshemakespeoplegetratheronthedefensive.”
“Mr.Lippincottdoesn’tlikehereither,doeshe?Hethink’sshe’sgottoomuchinfluenceoverme,”saidEllie.
“Hasshe?”
“Iwonderwhyyoushouldaskthat.Yes,Ithinkperhapsshehas.It’sonlynatural,she’sratheradominantpersonalityandIhadtohavesomeoneIcouldtrustinandrelyon.Someonewho’dstandupforme.”
“Andseeyougotyourownway?”Iaskedher,laughing.
Wewentintothehousearminarm.Forsomereasonitseemeddarkthatafternoon.Isupposebecausethesunhadjustlefttheterraceandleftafeelingofdarknessbehindit.Elliesaid:
“What’sthematter,Mike?”
“Idon’tknow,”Isaid.“JustsuddenlyIfeltasthoughsomeonewerewalkingovermygrave.”
“Agooseiswalkingoveryourgrave.That’stherealsaying,isn’tit?”saidEllie.
Gretawasn’taboutanywhere.Theservantssaidshe’dgoneoutforawalk.
NowthatmymotherknewallaboutmymarriageandhadseenEllie,IdidwhatIhadreallywantedtodoforsometime.Isentheralargecheque.Itoldhertomoveintoabetterhouseandtobuyherselfanyadditionalfurnitureshewanted.Thingslikethat.Ihaddoubtsofcourseastowhethershewouldacceptitornot.Itwasn’tmoneythatI’dworkedforandIcouldn’thonestlypretenditwas.AsIexpected,shesentthechequebacktornintwowithascrawlednote.“I’llhavenaughttodowithanyofthis,”shewrote.“You’llneverbedifferent.Iknowthatnow,heavenhelpyou.”IflungitdowninfrontofEllie.
“Youseewhatmymother’slike,”Isaid.“Imarriedarichgirl,andI’mlivingonmyrichwife’smoneyandtheoldbattleaxedisapprovesofit!”
“Don’tworry,”saidEllie.“Lotsofpeoplethinkthatway.She’llgetoverit.Shelovesyouverymuch,Mike,”sheadded.
“Thenwhydoesshewanttoaltermeallthetime?Makemeintoherpattern.I’mmyself.I’mnotanybodyelse’spattern.I’mnotmother’slittleboytobemouldedthewayshelikes.I’mmyself.I’manadult.I’mme!”
“You’reyou,”saidEllie,“andIloveyou.”
Andthen,perhapstodistractme,shesaidsomethingratherdisquieting.
“Whatdoyouthink,”shesaid,“ofthisnewmanservantofours?”
Ihadn’tthoughtabouthim.Whatwastheretothink?IfanythingIpreferredhimtoourlastonewhohadnottroubledtoconcealhislowopinionofmysocialstatus.
“He’sallright,”Isaid.“Why?”
“Ijustwonderedwhetherhemightbeasecurityman.”
“Asecurityman?Whatdoyoumean?”
“Adetective.IthoughtUncleAndrewmighthavearrangedit.”
“Whyshouldhe?”
“Well—possiblekidnapping,Isuppose.IntheStates,youknow,weusuallyhadguards—especiallyinthecountry.”
AnotherofthedisadvantagesofhavingmoneythatIhadn’tknownabout!
“Whatabeastlyidea!”
“Oh,Idon’tknow…IsupposeI’musedtoit.Whatdoesitmatter?Onedoesn’treallynotice.”
“Isthewifeinit,too?”
“She’dhavetobe,Ithink,thoughshecooksverywell.IshouldthinkthatUncleAndrew,orperhapsStanfordLloyd,whicheveroneofthemthoughtofit,musthavepaidourlastonestoleave,andhadthesetwoalllinedupreadytotaketheirplace.Itwouldhavebeenquiteeasy.”
“Withouttellingyou?”Iwasstillincredulous.
“They’dneverdreamoftellingme.Imighthavekickedupafuss.Anyway,Imaybequitewrongaboutthem.”Shewentondreamily.“It’sonlythatonegetsakindoffeelingwhenone’sbeenusedtopeopleofthatkindalwaysbeingaround.”
“Poorlittlerichgirl,”Isaidsavagely.
Elliedidnotmindatall.
“Isupposethatdoesdescribeitratherwell,”shesaid.
“ThethingsI’mlearningaboutyouallthetime,Ellie,”Isaid.
Seventeen
Whatamysteriousthingsleepis.Yougotobedworryingaboutgipsiesandsecretenemies,anddetectivesplantedinyourhouseandthepossibilitiesofkidnappingandahundredotherthings;andsleepwhisksyouawayfromitall.Youtravelveryfarandyoudon’tknowwhereyou’vebeen,butwhenyouwakeup,it’stoatotallynewworld.Noworries,noapprehensions.Instead,whenIwokeuponthe17thSeptemberIwasinamoodofboisterousexcitement.
“Awonderfulday,”Isaidtomyselfwithconviction.“Thisisgoingtobeawonderfulday.”Imeantit.Iwaslikethosepeopleinadvertisementsthatoffertogoanywhereanddoanything.Iwentoverplansinmyhead.IhadarrangedtomeetMajorPhillpotatasaleatacountryhouseaboutfifteenmilesaway.TheyhadsomeverynicestuffthereandI’dalreadymarkeddowntwoorthreeitemsinthecatalogue.Iwasquiteexcitedaboutthewholething.
Phillpotwasveryknowledgeableaboutperiodfurnitureandsilverandthingsofthatkind,notbecausehewasartistic—hewasentirelyasportingman—butsimplybecauseheknew.Hiswholefamilywasknowledgeable.
Ilookedoverthecatalogueatbreakfast.Elliehadcomedowninaridinghabit.Sherodemostmorningsnow—sometimesalone,sometimeswithClaudia.ShehadtheAmericanhabitofdrinkingcoffeeandaglassoforangejuiceandnothingmuchelseforbreakfast.Mytastes,nowthatIhadn’tgottorestraintheminanyway,wereverymuchthoseofaVictoriansquire!Ilikedlotsofhotdishesonthesideboard.Iatekidneysthismorningandsausagesandbaconaswell.Delicious.
“Whatareyoudoing,Greta?”Iasked.
GretasaidshewasmeetingClaudiaHardcastleatthestationatMarketChadwellandtheyweregoinguptoLondontoawhitesale.Iaskedwhatawhitesalewas.
“Doestherereallyhavetobewhiteinit?”Iasked.
Gretalookedscornfulandsaidthatawhitesalemeantasaleofhouseholdlinenandblanketsandtowelsandsheets,etc.ThereweresomeverygoodbargainsataspecialshopinBondStreetofwhichshehadbeensentacatalogue.
IsaidtoEllie,“Well,ifGretaisgoingtoLondonfortheday,whydon’tyoudriveinandmeetusattheGeorgeinBartington.Thefoodthere’sverygood,sooldPhillpotsaid.Hesuggestedyoumightcome.Oneo’clock.YougothroughMarketChadwellandthenyoutakeaturningaboutthreemilesafterthat.It’ssign-posted,Ithink.”
“Allright,”saidEllie,“I’llbethere.”
Imountedherandshewentoffridingthroughthetrees.Ellielovedriding.SheusuallyrodeuponeofthewindingtracksandcameoutontheDownsandhadagallopbeforereturninghome.IleftthesmallercarforEllieasitwaseasiertoparkandtookthebigChryslermyself.IgottoBartingtonManorjustbeforethesalebegan.Phillpotwastherealreadyandhadkeptaplaceforme
“Somequitenicestuffhere,”hesaid.“Oneortwogoodpictures.ARomneyandaReynolds.Idon’tknowifyou’reinterested?”
Ishookmyhead.Mytasteatthemomentwasentirelyformodernartists.
“Severaldealershere,”Phillpotwenton,“acoupledownfromLondon.Seethatthinmanovertherewiththepinchedlips?That’sCressington.Prettywellknown.Notbroughtyourwife?”
“No,”Isaid,“she’snotawfullykeenonsales.Anyway,Ididn’tparticularlywanthertocomethismorning.”
“Oh?Whynot?”
“There’sgoingtobeasurpriseforEllie,”Isaid.“DidyounoticeLot42?”
Hetookaglanceatthecatalogueandthenlookedacrosstheroom.
“Hm.Thatpapiermachédesk?Yes.Ratherabeautifullittlepiece.OneofthebestexamplesofpapiermachéI’veseen.Deskratherraretoo.Plentyofhanddeskstostandontables.Butthisisanearlyexample.Neverseenonequitelikeitbefore.”
ThelittlepiecewasinlaidwithadesignofWindsorCastleandthesidesofithadbouquetsofrosesandthistlesandshamrock.
“Beautifulcondition,”saidPhillpot.Helookedatmecuriously.“Ishouldn’thavethoughtitwasyourtastebut—”
“Oh,itisn’t,”Isaid.“It’salittletoofloweryandladylikeforme.ButEllielovesthestuff.It’sherbirthdaynextweekandIwantitasapresentforher.Asurprise.That’swhyIdidn’twanthertoknowIwasbiddingforittoday.ButIknowthere’snothingIcouldgiveherthatshe’dlikemore.She’llbereallysurprised.”
Wewentinandtookseatsandthesalebegan.Actually,thepieceIwantedwasrunupprettyhigh.BoththeLondondealersseemedkeenonitalthoughoneofthemwassopractisedandreservedaboutitthatyoucouldhardlynoticethealmostinfinitesimalmotionofhiscataloguewhichtheauctioneerwasobservingclosely.IboughtacarvedChippendalechairaswellwhichIthoughtwouldlookwellinourhallandsomeenormousbrocadecurtainsingoodcondition.
“Well,youseemtohaveenjoyedyourselfallright,”saidPhillpot,risingtohisfeetwhentheauctioneercompletedthemorning’ssale.“Wanttocomebackthisafternoon?”
Ishookmyhead.
“No,there’snothinginthesecondhalfofthesalethatIwant.Mostlybedroomfurnitureandcarpetsandthingslikethat.”
“No,Ididn’tthinkyou’dbeinterested.Well—”helookedathiswatch,“we’dbetterbegettingalong.IsElliemeetingusattheGeorge?”
“Yes,she’llbethere.”
“And—er—MissAndersen?”
“Oh,Greta’sgonetoLondon,”Isaid.“She’sgonetowhattheycallawhitesale.WithMissHardcastle,Ibelieve.”
“Ohyes,Claudiasaidsomethingaboutittheotherday.Priceofsheetsandthingsarefantasticnowadays.Doyouknowwhatalinenpillowcasecosts?Thirty-fiveshillings.Usedtobuy’emforsixbob.”
“You’reveryknowledgeableonhouseholdpurchases,”Isaid.
“Well,Ihearmywifecomplainingaboutthem.”Phillpotsmiled.“You’relookinginthepinkofcondition,Mike.Happyasasandboy.”
“That’sbecauseI’vegotthepapiermachédesk,”Isaid,“oratanyratethat’spartlyit.Ijustwokeupfeelinghappythismorning.Youknowthosedayswheneverythingintheworldseemsright.”
“Mm,”saidPhillpot,“becareful.That’swhat’sknownasbeingfey.”
“Fey?”Isaid.“That’ssomethingScottish,isn’tit?”
“Itcomesbeforedisaster,myboy,”saidPhillpot.“Bettercurbyourexuberance.”
“Oh,Idon’tbelievethosesillysuperstitions,”Isaid.
“Noringipsies”prophecies,eh?”
“Wehaven’tseenourgipsylately,”Isaid.“Well,notforaweekatleast.”
“Perhapsshe’sawayfromtheplace,”saidPhillpot.
HeaskedmeifI’dgivehimaliftinmycarandIsaidIwould.
“Nousetakingthetwoofthem.Youcandropmehereonyourwayback,can’tyou?WhataboutEllie,willshebebringinghercarover?”
“Yes,she’sbringingthelittleone.”
“HopetheGeorgewillputonagoodmeal,”saidMajorPhillpot.“I’mhungry.”
“Didyoubuyanything?”Iasked.“Iwastooexcitedtonotice.”
“Yes,you’vegottokeepyourwitsaboutyouwhenyou’rebidding.Havetonoticewhatthedealersaredoing.No.Imadeabidortwobuteverythingwentfarabovemyprice.”
IgatheredthatalthoughPhillpotownedenormousquantitiesoflandroundabout,hisactualincomedidnotamounttomuch.Hewaswhatyoumightdescribeasapoormanthoughalargelandowner.Onlybysellingagoodportionofhislandwouldhehavehadmoneytospendandhedidn’twanttosellhisland.Helovedit.
WegottotheGeorgeandfoundagoodmanycarsstandingtherealready.Possiblysomeofthepeoplefromtheauction.Ididn’tseeEllie’sthough.WewentinsideandIlookedaroundforherbutshehadn’tturnedupyet.However,itwasonlyjustpastone.
WewentandhadadrinkatthebarwhilewewerewaitingforEllietoarrive.Theplacewasprettycrowded.Ilookedintothediningroombuttheywerestillholdingourtable.TherewereagoodmanylocalfacesthatIknewandsittingatatablebythewindowwasamanwhosefaceseemedfamiliartome.IwassureIknewhimbutIcouldn’trememberwhenandwherewe’dmet.Ididn’tthinkhewasalocal,becausehisclothesdidn’tfitinwiththeseparts.OfcourseI’veknockedupagainstagreatmanypeopleinmytimeanditisunlikelythatIcanrememberthemalleasily.Hehadn’tbeenatthesaleasfarasIcouldremember,though,oddlyenough,therehadbeenonefacethatIthoughtI’drecognizedbutcouldn’tplace.Facesaretrickyunlessyoucanconnectupwhenandwhereyou’dseenthem.
ThepresidinggoddessoftheGeorge,rustlinginherusualblacksilkofaffectedEdwardianstylewhichshealwayswore,cametomeandsaid:
“Willyoubecomingtoyourtablesoon,Mr.Rogers?There’soneortwowaiting.”
“Mywifewillbehereinaminuteortwo,”Isaid.
IwentbacktorejoinPhillpot.IthoughtperhapsthatElliemighthavehadapuncture.
“We’dbettergoin,”Isaid,“theyseemtobegettingratherupsetaboutit.They’vegotquiteacrowdtoday.I’mafraid,”Iadded,“thatEllieisn’tthemostpunctualofpeople.”
“Ah,”saidPhillpotinhisold-fashionedstyle,“theladiesmakeapointofkeepinguswaiting,don’tthey?Allright,Mike,ifthat’sallrightbyyou.We’llgoinandstartlunch.”
Wewentintothediningroom,chosesteakandkidneypieoffthemenuandstarted.
“It’stoobadofEllie,”Isaid,“tostandusuplikethis.”IaddedthatitwaspossiblybecauseGretawasinLondon.“Ellie’sveryused,youknow,”Isaid,“toGretahelpinghertokeepappointments,remindingherofthem,andgettingheroffintimeandallthat.”
“IssheverydependentonMissAndersen?”
“Inthatway,yes,”Isaid.
Wewentoneatingandpassedfromthesteakandkidneypietoappletartwithaself-consciouspieceofphoneypastryontopofit.
“Iwonderifshe’sforgottenallaboutit,”Isaidsuddenly.
“Perhapsyou’dbetterringup.”
“Yes,IthinkI’dbetter.”
Iwentouttothephoneandrang.Mrs.Carson,thecook,answered.
“Oh,it’syou,Mr.Rogers,Mrs.Rogershasn’tcomehomeyet.”
“Whatdoyoumean,hasn’tcomehome?Homefromwhere?”
“Shehasn’tcomebackfromherrideyet.”
“Butthatwasafterbreakfast.Shecan’thavebeenridingthewholemorning.”
“Shedidn’tsayanythingdifferent.Iwasexpectingherback.”
“Whydidn’tyouringupsoonerandletmeknowaboutit?”Iasked.
“Well,Iwouldn’tknowwheretogetatyou,yousee.Ididn’tknowwhereyou’dgone.”
ItoldherIwasattheGeorgeatBartingtonandgaveherthenumber.ShewastoringupthemomentElliecameinorshehadnewsofher.ThenIwentbacktojoinPhillpot.Hesawfrommyfaceatoncethatsomethingwaswrong.
“Elliehasn’tcomehome,”Isaid.“Shewentoffridingthismorning.Sheusuallydoesmostmorningsbutitonlylastshalfanhourtoanhour.”
“Nowdon’tworrybeforeyouneedto,boy,”hesaidkindly.“Yourplaceisinaverylonelypart,youknow.Maybeherhorsewentlameandshemightbewalkingithome.Allthatmoorlandanddownsabovethewoods.There’snobodymuchinthatparttosendamessageby.”
“Ifshedecidedtochangeherplansandrideoverandseeanyone,anythinglikethat,”Isaid,“she’dhaverunghere.She’dhaveleftamessageforus.”
“Well,don’tgethetupyet,”Phillpotsaid.“Ithinkwe’dbettergonow,rightaway,andseewhatwecanfindout.”
Aswewentouttothecarpark,anothercardroveaway.InitwasthemanIhadnoticedinthediningroomandsuddenlyitcametomewhoitwas.StanfordLloydorsomeonejustlikehim.Iwonderedwhathecouldbedoingdownhere.Couldhebecomingtoseeus?Ifso,itwasoddhehadn’tletusknow.InthecarwithhimwasawomanwhohadlookedlikeClaudiaHardcastle,butsurelyshewasinLondonwithGreta,shopping.Itallflooredmerather….
AswedroveawayPhillpotlookedatmeonceortwice.Icaughthiseyeonceandsaidratherbitterly:
“Allright.YousaidIwasfeythismorning.”
“Well,don’tthinkofthatyet.Shemayhavehadafallandsprainedanankleorsomethinglikethat.She’sagoodhorse-woman,though,”hesaid.“I’veseenher.Ican’tfeelanaccidentisreallylikely.”
Isaid,“Accidentscanhappenatanytime.”
Wedrovefastandcameatlasttotheroadoverthedownsaboveourproperty,lookingaboutusaswewent.Nowandagainwestoppedtoaskpeople.Westoppedamanwhowasdiggingpeatandtherewegotthefirstnews.
“SeenariderlesshorseIhave,”hesaid.“Twohoursagomaybeorlonger.IwouldacaughtitbutitgallopedoffwhenIgotnearit.Didn’tseeanyonethough.”
“Bestdrivehome,”suggestedPhillpot,“theremaybenewsofherthere.”
Wedrovehomebuttherewasnonews.WegotholdofthegroomandsenthimofftoridethemoorlandinsearchofEllie.Phillpottelephonedhisownhouseandsentamanfromtheretoo.HeandIwentupapathtogetherandthroughthewood,theonethatEllieoftentook,andcameoutonthedownsthere.
Atfirsttherewasnothingtobeseen.Thenwewalkedalongtheedgeofthewoodnearwheresomeoftheotherpathscameoutandso—wefoundher.Wesawwhatlookedlikeahuddledheapofclothes.Thehorsehadcomebackandwasnowstandingcroppingnearthathuddledheap.Ibegantorun.PhillpotfollowedmefasterthanI’dhavethoughtamanof
Shewasthere—lyinginacrumpled-upheap,herlittlewhitefaceturneduptothesky.Isaid:
“Ican’t—Ican’t—”andturnedmyfaceaway.
Phillpotwentandkneltdownbyher.Hegotupalmostatonce.
“We’llgetholdofadoctor,”hesaid.“Shaw.He’sthenearest.But—Idon’tthinkit’sanyuse,Mike.”
“Youmean—she’sdead?”
“Yes,”hesaid,“it’snogoodpretendinganythingelse.”
“OhGod!”Isaidandturnedaway.“Ican’tbelieveit.NotEllie.”
“Here,havethis,”saidPhillpot.
Hetookaflaskoutofhispocket,unscreweditandhandedittome.Itookagooddeeppullatit.
“Thanks,”Isaid.
ThegroomcamealongthenandPhillpotsenthimofftofetchDr.Shaw.
Eighteen
ShawcameupinabatteredoldLandRover.Isupposeitwasthecarheusedforgoingtovisitisolatedfarmsinbadweather.Hebarelylookedateitherofus.HewentstraightandbentoverEllie.Thenhecameovertous.
“She’sbeendeadatleastthreeorfourhours,”hesaid.“Howdidithappen?”
Itoldhimhowshe’dgoneoffridingasusualafterbreakfastthatmorning.
“Hasshehadanyaccidentsuptothistimewhenshe’sbeenoutriding?”
“No,”Isaid,“shewasagoodrider.”
“Yes,Iknowshe’sagoodrider.I’veseenheronceortwice.She’sriddensinceshewasachild,Iunderstand.Iwonderedifshemighthavehadanaccidentlatelyandthatthatmighthaveaffectedhernerveabit.Ifthehorsehadshied—”
“Whyshouldthehorseshy?It’saquietbrute—”
“There’snothingviciousaboutthisparticularhorse,”saidMajorPhillpot.“He’swellbehaved,notnervy.Hasshebrokenanybones?”
“Ihaven’tmadeacompleteexaminationyetbutshedoesn’tseemphysicallyinjuredinanyway.Theremaybesomeinternalinjury.Mightbeshock,Isuppose.”
“Butyoucan’tdieofshock,”Isaid
“Peoplehavediedofshockbeforenow.Ifshe’dhadaweakheart—”
“TheysaidinAmericathatshehadaweakheart—somekindofweaknessatleast.”
“Hm.Icouldn’tfindmuchtraceofitwhenIexaminedher.Still,wedidn’thaveacardiograph.Anywaynopointingoingintothatnow.Weshallknowlater.Aftertheinquest.”
Helookedatmeconsideringly,thenhepattedmeontheshoulder.
“Yougohomeandgotobed,”hesaid.“You’retheonewho’ssufferingfromshock.”
Inthequeerwaypeoplematerializeoutofnowhereinthecountry,wehadthreeorfourpeoplestandingnearus,bythistime.Oneahikerwhohadcomealongfromthemainroadseeingourlittlegroup,onearosy-facedwomanwhoIthinkwasgoingtoafarmoverashortcutandanoldroadman.Theyweremakingexclamationsandremarks.
“Pooryounglady.”
“Soyoungtoo.Thrownfromherhorse,wasshe?”
“Ahwell,youneverknowwithhorses.”
“It’sMrs.Rogers,isn’tit,theAmericanladyfromTheTowers?”
Itwasnotuntileveryoneelsehadexclaimedintheirastonishedfashion,thattheagedroadmanspoke.Hegaveusinformation.Shakinghisheadhesaid:
“Imustaseenithappen.Imustaseenithappen.”
Thedoctorturnedsharplyonhim.
“Whatdidyouseehappen?”
“Isawahorseboltingacrosscountry.”
“Didyouseetheladyfall?”
“No.No,Ididn’t.ShewereridingalongthetopofthewoodswhenIsawherandafterthatI’dgotmebackturnedandIwascuttingthestonesfortheroad.AndthenIheardhoofsandIlookedupandtherewasthehorseagalloping.Ididn’tthinkthere’dbeenanaccident.Ithoughttheladyperhapshadgotoffandletgoofthehorseinsomeway.Itwasn’tcomingtowardsme,itwasgoingintheotherdirection.”
“Youdidn’tseetheladylyingontheground?”
“No,Idon’tseeverywellfar.Isawthehorsebecauseitshowedagainsttheskyline.”
“Wassheridingalone?Wasthereanyonewithher,ornearher?”
“Nobodynearher.No.Shewasallalone.Sherodenotveryfarfromme,pastme,goingalongthatway.Shewasbearingtowardsthewoods,Ithink.No,Ididn’tseeanyoneatallexceptherandthehorse.”
“Mighthavebeenthegipsywhofrightenedher,”saidtherosy-facedwoman.
Iswunground.
“Whatgipsy?When?”
“Oh,musthavebeen—well,itmusthavebeenthreeorfourhoursagowhenIwentdowntheroadthismorning.Aboutquartertotenmaybe,Isawthatgipsywoman.Theoneaslivesinthecottagesinthevillage.LeastIthinkitwasshe.Iwasn’tnearenoughtobesure.Butshe’stheonlyoneasgoesabouthereaboutsinaredcloak.Shewaswalkingupapaththroughthetrees.Somebodytoldmeasshe’dsaidnastythingstothepoorAmericanyounglady.Threatenedher.Toldhersomethingbadwouldhappenifshedidn’tgetoutofthisplace.Verythreatening,Ihearshewas.”
“Thegipsy,”Isaid.Then,bitterly,tomyself,thoughoutloud,“Gipsy’sAcre.IwishI’dneverseentheplace.”
BOOKTHREE
Nineteen
I
It’sextraordinaryhowdifficultitisformetorememberwhathappenedafterthat.Imean,thesequenceofitall.Uptothen,yousee,it’sallclearinmymind.Iwasalittledoubtfulwheretobegin,thatwasall.Butfromthenonitwasasthoughaknifefell,cuttingmylifeintotwohalves.WhatIwentontofromthemomentofEllie’sdeathseemstomenowlikesomethingforwhichIwasnotprepared.AconfusionofthrustingpeopleandelementsandhappeningswhereIwasn’tmyselfincontrolofanythinganymore.Thingshappenednottome,butallaroundme.That’swhatitseemedlike.
Everybodywasverykindtome.ThatseemsthethingIrememberbest.Istumbledaboutandlookeddazedanddidn’tknowwhattodo.Greta,Iremember,cameintoherelement.Shehadthatamazingpowerthatwomenhavetotakechargeofasituationanddealwithit.Deal,Imean,withallthesmallunimportantdetailsthatsomeonehastoseeto.Iwouldhavebeenincapableofseeingtothem.
IthinkthefirstthingIrememberedclearlyafterthey’dtakenEllieawayandI’dgotbacktomyhouse—ourhouse—thehouse—waswhenDr.Shawcamealongandtalkedtome.Idon’tknowhowlongafterthatwas.Hewasquiet,kind,reasonable.Justexplainingthingsclearlyandgently.
Arrangements.Irememberhisusingthewordarrangements.Whatahatefulworditisandallthethingsitstandsfor.Thethingsinlifethathavegrandwords—Love—sex—life—death—hate—thosearen’tthethingsthatgovernexistenceatall.It’slotsofotherpettifogging,degradingthings.Thingsyouhavetoendure,thingsyouneverthinkaboutuntiltheyhappentoyou.Undertakers,arrangementsforfunerals,inquests.Andservantscomingintoroomsandpullingtheblindsdown.WhyshouldblindsbepulleddownbecauseElliewasdead?Ofallthestupidthings!
Thatwaswhy,Iremember,IfeltquitegratefultoDr.Shaw.Hedealtwithsuchthingssokindlyandsensibly,explaininggentlywhycertainthingslikeaninquesthadtobe.Talkingratherslowly,Iremember,sothathecouldbequitesureIwastakingthemin.
II
Ididn’tknowwhataninquestwouldbelike.I’dneverbeentoone.Itseemedtomecuriouslyunreal,amateurish.TheCoronerwasasmallfussylittlemanwithpincenez.Ihadtogiveevidenceofidentification,todescribethelasttimeIhadseenEllieatthebreakfasttableandherdepartureforherusualmorningrideandthearrangementwehad
Dr.Shaw’sevidencewasquiet,inconclusive.Noseriousinjuries,awrenchedcollarboneandbruisessuchaswouldresultfromafallfromthehorse—notofaveryseriousnature,andinflictedatthetimeofdeath.Shedidnotappeartohavemovedagainaftershehadfallen.Death,hethought,hadbeenpracticallyinstantaneous.Therewasnospecificorganicinjurytohavecauseddeath,andhecouldgivenootherexplanationofitthanthatshehaddiedfromheartfailurecausedbyshock.AsfarasIcouldmakeoutfromthemedicallanguageusedElliehaddiedsimplyasaresultofabsenceofbreath—ofasphyxiaofsomekind.Herorganswerehealthy,herstomachcontentsnormal.
Greta,whoalsogaveevidence,stressedrathermoreforciblythanshehaddonetoDr.Shawbefore,thatElliehadsufferedfromsomeformofheartmaladythreeorfouryearsago.ShehadneverheardanythingdefinitementionedbutEllie’srelationshadoccasionallysaidthatherheartwasweakandthatshemusttakecarenottooverdothings.Shehadneverheardanythingmoredefinitethanthat.
Thenwecametothepeoplewhohadseenorbeeninthevicinityatthetimetheaccidenthappened.Theoldmanwhohadbeencuttingpeatwasthefirstofthem.Hehadseentheladypasshim,she’dbeenaboutfiftyyardsorsoaway.Heknewwhoshewasthoughhe’dneverspokentoher.Shewastheladyfromthenewhouse.
“Youknewherbysight?”
“No,notexactlybysightbutIknewthehorse,sir.It’sgotawhitefetlock.UsedtobelongtoMr.CareyoveratShettlegroom.I’veneverhearditanythingbutquietandwellbehaved,suitableforaladytoride.”
“Wasthehorsegivinganytroublewhenyousawit?Playingupinanyway?”
“No,itwasquietenough.Itwasanicemorning.”
Therehadn’tbeenmanypeopleabout,hesaid.Hehadn’tnoticedmany.Thatparticulartrackacrossthemoorwasn’tmuchusedexceptasashortcutoccasionallytooneofthefarms.Anothertrackcrosseditaboutamilefartheraway.He’dseenoneortwopassers-bythatmorningbutnottonotice.Onemanonabicycle,anothermanwalking.Theyweretoofarawayforhimtoseewhotheywereandhehadn’tnoticedmuchanyway.Earlier,hesaid,beforehe’dseentheladyriding,he’dseenoldMrs.Lee,orsohethought.Shewascomingupthetracktowardshimandthensheturnedoffandwentintothewoods.Sheoftenwalkedacrossthemoorsandinandoutofthewoods.
TheCoroneraskedwhyMrs.Leewasnotincourt.Heunderstoodthatshe’dbeensummonedtoattend.Hewastold,however,thatMrs.Leehadleftthevillagesomedaysago—nobodyknewexactlywhen.Shehadnotleftanyaddressbehind.Itwasnotherhabittodoso,sheoftenwentawayandcamebackwithoutnotifyinganyone.Sotherewasnothingunusualaboutthis.Infactoneortwopeoplesaidtheythoughtshe’dalreadyleftthevillagebeforethedaytheaccidenthappened.TheCoroneraskedtheoldmanagain.
“Youthink,however,thatitwasMrs.Leeyousaw?”
“Couldn’tsay,I’msure.Wouldn’tliketobecertain.Itwasatallwomanandstridingalong,andhadonascarletcloak,likeMrs.Leewearssometimes.ButIdidn’tlookparticular.IwasbusywithwhatIwasdoing.Couldhavebeenshe,itcouldhavebeensomeoneelse.Who’stosay?”
Asfortherestherepeatedverymuchwhathehadsaidtous.He’dseentheladyridingnearby,he’doftenseenherridingbefore.Hehadn’tpaidanyparticularattention.Onlylaterdidheseethehorsegallopingalone.Itlookedasthoughsomethinghadfrightenedit,hesaid.“Atleast,itcouldbethatway.”Hecouldn’ttellwhattimethatwas.Mighthavebeeneleven,mighthavebeenearlier.Hesawthehorsemuchlater,fartheraway.Itseemedtobereturningtowardsthewoods.
ThentheCoronerrecalledmeandaskedmeafewmorequestionsaboutMrs.Lee,Mrs.EstherLeeofVineCottage.
“YouandyourwifeknewMrs.Leebysight?”
“Yes,”Isaid,“quitewell.”
“Didyoutalkwithher?”
“Yes,severaltimes.Orrather,”Iadded,“shetalkedtous.”
“Didsheatanytimethreatenyouoryourwife?”
Ipausedamomentortwo.
“Inasenseshedid,”Isaidslowly,“butIneverthought—”
“Youneverthoughtwhat?”
“Ineverthoughtshereallymeantit,”Isaid.
“Didshesoundasthoughshehadanyparticulargrudgeagainstyourwife?”
“Mywifesaidsoonce.Shesaidshethoughtshehadsomespecialgrudgeagainstherbutshecouldn’tseewhy.”
“Hadyouoryourwifeatanytimeorderedheroffyourland,threatenedher,treatedherroughlyinanyway?”
“Anyaggressioncamefromherside,”Isaid.
“Didyoueverhavetheimpressionthatshewasmentallyunbalanced?”
Iconsidered.“Yes,”Isaid,“Idid.Ithoughtshehadcometobelievethatthelandonwhichwehadbuiltourhousebelongedtoher,orbelongedtohertribeorwhatevertheycallthemselves.Shehadakindofobsessionaboutit.”Iaddedslowly,“Ithinkshewasgettingworse,moreandmoreobsessedbytheidea.”
“Isee.Sheneverofferedyourwifephysicalviolenceatanytime?”
“No,”Isaid,slowly,“Idon’tthinkitwouldbefairtosaythat.Itwasall—wellallasortofgipsy’swarningstuff.‘You’llhavebadluckifyoustayhere.There’llbeacurseonyouunlessyougoaway.’”
“Didshementiontheworddeath?”
“Yes,Ithinkso.Wedidn’ttakeherseriously.Atleast,”Icorrectedmyself,“Ididn’t.”
“Doyouthinkyourwifedid?”
“I’mafraidshedidsometimes.Theoldwoman,youknow,couldberatheralarming.Idon’tthinkshewasreallyresponsibleforwhatshewassayingordoing.”
TheproceedingsendedwiththeCoroneradjourningtheinquestforafortnight.Everythingpointedtodeathbeingduetoaccidentalcausesbuttherewasnotsufficientevidencetoshowwhathadcausedtheaccidenttooccur.HewouldadjourntheproceedingsuntilhehadheardtheevidenceofMrs.EstherLee.
Twenty
ThedayaftertheinquestIwenttoseeMajorPhillpotandItoldhimpoint-blankthatIwantedhisopinion.Someonewhomtheoldpeat-cuttingmanhadtakentobeMrs.EstherLeehadbeenseengoinguptowardsthewoodsthatmorning.
“Youknowtheoldwoman,”Isaid.“Doyouactuallythinkthatshewouldhavebeencapableofcausinganaccidentbydeliberatemalice?”
“Ican’treallybelieveso,Mike,”hesaid.“Todoathinglikethatyouneedaverystrongmotive.Revengeforsomepersonalinjurycausedtoyou.Somethinglikethat.AndwhathadEllieeverdonetoher?Nothing.”
“Itseemscrazy,Iknow.Whywassheconstantlyappearinginthatqueerway,threateningEllie,tellinghertogoaway?Sheseemedtohaveagrudgeagainsther,buthowcouldshehavehadagrudge?She’dnevermetEllieorseenherbefore.WhatwasEllietoherbutaperfectlystrangeAmerican?There’snopasthistory,nolinkbetweenthem.”
“Iknow,Iknow,”saidPhillpot.“Ican’thelpfeeling,Mike,thatthere’ssomethingherethatwedon’tundertand.Idon’tknowhowmuchyourwifewasoverinEnglandprevioustohermarriage.Didsheeverliveinthispartoftheworldforanylengthoftime?”
“No,I’msureofthat.It’sallsodifficult.Idon’treallyknowanythingaboutEllie.Imean,whosheknew,whereshewent.Wejust—met.”Icheckedmyselfandlookedathim.Isaid,“Youdon’tknowhowwecametomeet,doyou?No,”Iwenton,“youwouldn’tguessinahundredyearshowwemet.”Andsuddenly,inspiteofmyself,Ibegantolaugh.ThenIpulledmyselftogether.IcouldfeelthatIwasverynearhysteria.
IcouldseehiskindpatientfacejustwaitingtillIwasmyselfagain.Hewasahelpfulman.Therewasnodoubtaboutthat.
“Wemethere,”Isaid.“HereatGipsy’sAcre.IhadbeenreadingthenoticeboardofthesaleofTheTowersandIwalkeduptheroad,upthehillbecauseIwascuriousaboutthisplace.Andthat’showIfirstsawher.Shewasstandingthereunderatree.Istartledher—orperhapsitwasshewhostartledme.Anyway,that’showitallbegan.That’showwecametolivehereinthisdamned,cursed,unluckyplace.”
“Haveyoufeltthatallalong?Thatitwouldbeunlucky?”
“No.Yes.No,Idon’tknowreally.I’veneveradmittedit.I’veneverwantedtoadmitit.ButIthinksheknew.Ithinkshe’sbeenfrightenedallalong.”ThenIsaidslowly,“Ithinksomebodydeliberatelywantedtofrightenher.”
Hesaidrathersharply,“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?Whowantedtofrightenher?”
“Presumablythegipsywoman.ButsomehowI’mnotquitesureaboutit…SheusedtolieinwaitforEllie,youknow,tellherthisplacewouldbringherbadluck.Tellhersheoughttogoawayfromit.”
“Tcha!”Hespokeangrily.“IwishI’dbeentoldmoreaboutthat.I’dhavespokentooldEsther.Toldhershecouldn’tdothingslikethat.”
“Whydidshe?”Iasked.“Whatmadeher?”
“Likesomanypeople,”saidPhillpot,“shelikestomakeherselfimportant.Shelikeseithertogivepeoplewarningsorelsetelltheirfortunesandprophesyhappylivesforthem.Shelikestopretendsheknowsthefuture.”
“Supposing,”Isaidslowly,“somebodygavehermoney.I’vebeentoldshe’sfondofmoney.”
“Yes,shewasveryfondofmoney.Ifsomeonepaidher—that’swhatyou’resuggesting—whatputthatideaintoyourhead?”
“SergeantKeene,”Isaid.“Ishouldneverhavethoughtofitmyself.”
“Isee.”Heshookhisheaddoubtfully
“Ican’tbelieve,”hesaid,“thatshewoulddeliberatelytrytofrightenyourwifetotheextentofcausinganaccident.”
“Shemayn’thavecountedonafatalaccident.Shemighthavedonesomethingtofrightenthehorse,”Isaid.“Letoffasquiborflappedasheetofwhitepaperorsomething.Sometimes,youknow,IdidfeelthatshehadsomeentirelypersonalgrudgeagainstEllie,agrudgeforsomereasonthatIdon’tknowabout.”
“Thatsoundsveryfar-fetched.”
“Thisplaceneverbelongedtoher?”Iasked.“Theland,Imean.”
“No.Gipsiesmayhavebeenwarnedoffthisproperty,probablymorethanonce.Gipsiesarealwaysgettingturnedoffplaces,butIdoubtiftheykeepupalife-longresentmentaboutit.”
“No,”Isaid,“thatwouldbefar-fetched.ButIdowonderifforsomereasonthatwedon’tknowabout—shewaspaid—”
“Areasonwedon’tknowabout—whatreason?”
Ireflectedamomentortwo.
“EverythingIsaywilljustsoundfantastic.Let’ssaythat,asKeenesuggested,someonepaidhertodothethingsshedid.Whatdidthatsomeonewant?Saytheywantedtomakeusbothgoawayfromhere.TheyconcentratedonEllie,notonme,becauseIwouldn’tbescaredinthewayElliewouldbe.Theyfrightenedhertogether—andthroughherbothofus—toleavehere.Ifso,theremustbesomereasonforwantingthelandtocomeonthemarketagain.Somebody,shallwesay,forsomereasonwantsourland.”Istopped.
“It’salogicalsuggestion,”Phillpotsaid,“butIknowofnoreasonwhyanyoneshould.”
“Someimportantmineraldeposit,”Isuggested,“thatnobodyknowsabout.”
“Hm,Idoubtit.”
“Somethinglikeburiedtreasure.Oh,Iknowitsoundsabsurd.Or—well,saytheproceedsofsomebigbankrobbery.”
Phillpotwasstillshakinghisheadbutratherlessvehementlynow.
“Theonlyotherproposition,”Isaid,“istogoonestepfartherbackasyoudidjustnow.BehindMrs.LeetothepersonwhopaidMrs.Lee.ThatmightbesomeunknownenemyofEllie’s.”
“Butyoucan’tthinkofanyoneitwouldbelikelytobe?”
“No.Shedidn’tknowanyonedownhere.ThatI’msureof.Shehadnolinkswiththisplace.”Igotup.“Thankyouforlisteningtome,”Isaid.
“IwishIcouldhavebeenmorehelpful.”
Iwentoutofthedoor,fingeringthethingthatIwascarryinginmypocket.Then,takingasuddendecision,Iturnedonmyheelsandwentbackintotheroom.
“There’ssomethingI’dliketoshowyou,”Isaid.“Actually,IwasgoingtotakeitdowntoshowSergeantKeeneandseewhathecouldmakeofit.”
Idivedintomypocketandbroughtoutastoneroundwhichwaswrappedacrumpledbitofpaperwithprintedwritingonit.
“Thiswasthrownthroughourbreakfastwindowthismorning,”Isaid.“IheardthecrashoftheglassasIcamedownthestairs.Astonewasthrownthroughthewindowoncebeforewhenwefirstcamehere.Idon’tknowifthisisthesamepersonornot.”
Itookoffthewrappingpaperandhelditoutforhim.Itwasadirty,coarsebitofpaper.Therewassomeprintingonitinratherfaintink.Phillpotputonhisspectaclesandbentoverthepieceofpaper.Themessageonitwasquiteshort.Allitsaidwas,“Itwasawomanwhokilledyourwife.”
Phillpot’seyebrowswentup.
“Extraordinary,”hesaid.“Wasthefirstmessageyougotprinted?”
“Ican’tremembernow.Itwasjustawarningtogoawayfromhere.Ican’tevenremembertheexactwordingofitnow.Anyway,itseemsprettycertainthatthatwashooligans.Thisdoesn’tseemquitethesame.”
“Doyouthinkitwasthrowninbysomeonewhoknewsomething?”
“Probablyjustabitofsillycruelmaliceintheanonymousletterclass.Yougetit,youknow,agooddealinvillages.”
Hehandeditbacktome.
“ButIthinkyourinstinctwasright,”hesaid,“totakeittoSergeantKeene.He’llknowmoreabouttheseanonymousthingsthanIshould.”
IfoundSergeantKeeneatthepolicestationandhewasdefinitelyinterested.
“There’squeerthingsgoingonhere,”hesaid.
“Whatdoyouthinkitmeans?”Iasked
“Hardtosay.Mightbejustmaliceleadinguptoaccusingsomeparticularperson.”
“ItmightbejustaccusingMrs.Lee,Isuppose?”
“No,Idon’tthinkitwouldhavebeenputthatway.Itmightbe—I’dliketothinkitwas—itmightbethatsomeonesaworheardsomething.Heardanoiseoracryorthehorseboltedrightpastsomeone,andtheysawormetawomansoonafterwards.Butitsoundsasthoughitwasadifferentwomanfromthegipsy,becauseeveryonethinksthegipsy’smixedupinthisanyway.Sothissoundsasthoughanother,anentirelydifferentwomanwasmeant.”
“Whataboutthegipsy?”Isaid.“Haveyouhadnewsofher,foundher?”
Heshookhisheadslowly.
“Weknowsomeoftheplacessheusedtogowhenshelefthere.EastAnglia,thatway.She’dfriendsthereamongthegipsyclan.She’snotbeenthere,theysay,butthey’dsaythatanyway.Theyclamup,youknow.She’sfairlywellknownbysightinthosepartsbutnobody’sseenher.Allthesame,Idon’tthinkshe’sasfarawayasEastAnglia.”
Therewassomethingpeculiaraboutthewayhesaidthewords.
“Idon’tquiteunderstand,”Isaid.
“Lookatitthisway,she’sscared.She’sgotgoodreasontobe.She’sbeenthreateningyourwife,frighteningher,andnow,say,shecausedanaccidentandyourwifedied.Thepolice’llbeafterher.Sheknowsthat,soshe’llgotoearth,asyoumightsay.She’llputasbigadistancebetweenherselfandusasshepossiblycan.Butshewon’twanttoshowherself.She’dbeafraidofpublictransport.”
“Butyou’llfindher?She’sawomanofstrikingappearance.”
“Ahyes,weshallfindhereventually.Thesethingstakealittletime.Thatis,ifitwasthatway.”
“Butyouthinkitwassomeotherway.”
“Well,youknowwhatI’vewonderedallalong.Whethersomebodywaspayinghertosaythethingsshedid?”
“Thenshemightbeevenmoreanxioustogetaway,”Ipointedout.
“Butsomebodyelsewouldbeanxioustoo.You’vegottothinkofthat,Mr.Rogers.”
“Youmean,”Isaidslowly,“thepersonwhopaidher.”
“Yes.”
“Supposingitwasa—awomanwhopaidher.”
“Andsupposingsomebodyelsehassomeideaofthat.Andsotheystartsendinganonymousmessages.Thewomanwouldbescaredtoo.Sheneedn’thavemeantthistohappen,youknow.Howevermuchshegotthatgipsywomantofrightenyourwifeawayfromthisplaceshewouldn’thavemeantittoresultinMrs.Rogers’death.”
“No,”Isaid.“Deathwasn’tmeant.Itwasjusttofrightenus.Tofrightenmywifeandtofrightenmeintoleavinghere.”
“Andnowwho’sgoingtobefrightened?Thewomanwhocausedtheaccident.Andthat’sMrs.EstherLee.Andsoshe’sgoingtocomeclean,isn’tshe?Sayitwasn’treallyherdoing.She’lladmiteventhatshewaspaidmoneytodoit.Andshe’llmentionaname.She’llsaywhopaidher.Andsomebodywouldn’tlikethatwouldthey,Mr.Rogers?”
“Youmeanthisunknownwomanthatwe’vemoreorlesspostulatedwithoutevenknowingthere’sanysuchperson?”
“Manorwoman,saysomeonepaidher.Well,thatsomeonewouldwanthersilencedprettyquickly,wouldn’tthey?”
“You’rethinkingshemightbedead?”
“It’sapossibility,isn’tit?”saidKeene.Thenhemadewhatseemedquiteanabruptchangeofsubject.“YouknowthatkindofFollyplace,Mr.Rogers,thatyou’vegotupatthetopofyourwoods?”
“Yes,”Isaid,“whatofit?MywifeandIhaditrepairedandfixedupabit.Weusedtogoupthereoccasionallybutnotveryoften.Notlatelycertainly.Why?”
“Well,we’vebeenhuntingabout,youknow.WelookedintothisFolly.Itwasn’tlocked.”
“No,”Isaid,“weneverbotheredtolockit.Therewasnothingofvalueinthere,justafewoddbitsoffurniture.”
“WethoughtitpossibleoldMrs.Leehadbeenusingitbutwefoundnotracesofher.Wedidfindthis,though.Iwasgoingtoshowittoyouanyway.”Heopenedadrawerandtookoutasmalldelicategold-chasedlighter.Itwasawoman’slighterandithadaninitialonitindiamonds.TheletterC.“Itwouldn’tbeyourwife’s,wouldit?”
“NotwiththeinitialC.No,it’snotEllie’s,”Isaid.“Shehadn’tanythingofthatkind.Andit’snotMissAndersen’seither.HernameisGreta.”
“Itwasuptherewheresomebodyhaddroppedit.It’saclassybitofgoods—costmoney.”
“C,”Isaid,repeatingtheinitialthoughtfully.“Ican’tthinkofanyonewho’sbeenwithuswhoseinitialisCexceptCora,”Isaid.“That’smywife’sstepmother.Mrs.vanStuyvesant,butIreallycan’tseeherscramblinguptotheFollyalongthatovergrownpath.Andanywayshehasn’tbeenstayingwithusforquitealongtime.Aboutamonth.Idon’tthinkI’veeverseenherusingthislighter.PerhapsIwouldn’tnoticeanyway,”Isaid.“MissAndersenmightknow.”
“Well,takeitupwithyouandshowittoher.”
“Iwill.Butifso,ifit’sCora’s,itseemsoddthatwe’veneverseenitwhenwe’vebeenintheFollylately.There’snotmuchstuffthere.You’dnoticesomethinglikethislyingonthefloor—itwasonthefloor?”
“Yes,quitenearthedivan.OfcourseanybodymightusethatFolly.It’sahandyplace,youknow,foracoupleofloverstomeetanytime.ThelocalsI’mtalkingabout.Buttheywouldn’tbelikelytohaveanexpensivethingofthiskind.”
“There’sClaudiaHardcastle,”Isaid,“butIdoubtifshe’dhaveanythingasfancyasthis.AndwhatwouldshebedoingintheFolly?”
“Shewasquiteafriendofyourwife’s,wasn’tshe?”
“Yes,”Isaid,“IthinkshewasEllie’sbestfrienddownhere.Andshe’dknowwewouldn’tmindherusingtheFollyanytime.”
“Ah,”saidSergeantKeene.
Ilookedathimratherhard.“Youdon’tthinkClaudiaHardcastlewasa—anenemyofEllie’sdoyou?Thatwouldbeabsurd.”
“Doesn’tseemanyreasonwhysheshouldbe,Iagree,butyouneverknowwithladies.”
“Isuppose—”IbeganandthenstoppedbecausewhatIwasgoingtosaywouldseemperhapsratherodd.
“Yes,Mr.Rogers?”
“IbelievethatClaudiaHardcastlewasoriginallymarriedtoanAmerican—anAmericannamedLloyd.Actually—thenameofmywife’sprincipaltrusteeinAmericaisStanfordLloyd.ButtheremustbehundredsofLloydsandanywayitwouldonlybeacoincidenceifitwasthesameperson.Andwhatwouldithavetodowithallthis?”
“Itdoesn’tseemlikely.Butthen—”hestopped.
“ThefunnythingisthatIthoughtIsawStanfordLloyddownhereonthedayofthe—theaccident—HavinglunchintheGeorgeatBartington—”
“Hedidn’tcometoseeyou?”
Ishookmyhead.
“HewaswithsomeonewholookedratherlikeMissHardcastle.Butprobablyitwasjustamistakeonmypart.Youknow,Isuppose,thatitwasherbrotherwhobuiltourhouse?”
“Doesshetakeaninterestinthehouse?”
“No,”Isaid,“Idon’tthinkshelikesherbrother’stypeofarchitecture.”ThenIgotup.“Well,Iwon’ttakeanymoreofyourtime.Tryandfindthegipsy.”
“Weshan’tstoplooking,Icantellyouthat.Coronerwantshertoo.”
Isaidgood-byeandwentoutofthepolicestation.Inthequeerwaythatsooftenhappenswhenyousuddenlymeetsomeoneyou’vebeentalkingabout,ClaudiaHardcastlecameoutofthepostofficejustasIwaspassingit.Webothstopped.Shesaidwiththatslightembarrassmentthatyouhavewhenyoumeetsomeonethat’sbeenrecentlybereaved:
“I’msoterriblysorry,Mike,aboutEllie.Iwon’tsayanymore.It’sbeastlywhenpeoplesaythingstoyou.ButIhavejust—justtosaythat.”
“Iknow,”Isaid.“YouwereverynicetoEllie.Youmadeherfeelathomehere.I’vebeengrateful.”
“TherewasonethingIwantedtoaskyouandIthoughtperhapsI’dbetterdoitnowbeforeyougotoAmerica.Ihearyou’regoingquitesoon.”
“AssoonasIcan.I’vegotalottoseetothere.”
“Itwasonly—ifyouwereputtingyourhouseonthemarketIthoughtitmightbeathingyou’dsetinmotionbeforeyouwentaway…Andifso—ifso,I’dratherliketohavethefirstrefusalofit.”
Istaredather.Thisreallydidsurpriseme.ItwasthelastthingI’dexpected.
“Youmeanyou’dliketobuyit?Ithoughtyoudidn’tevencareforthattypeofarchitecture?”
“MybrotherRudolfsaidtomethatitwasthebestthinghe’ddone.Idaresayheknows.Iexpectyou’llwantaverylargepriceforitbutIcouldpayit.Yes,I’dliketohaveit.”
Icouldn’thelpthinkingitwasodd.She’dnevershownthefaintestappreciationofourhousewhenshe’dcometoit.IwonderedasI’dwonderedonceortwicebeforewhatherlinkswithherhalf-brotherreallywere.Hadshereallyagreatdevotiontohim?SometimesI’dalmostthoughtthatshedislikedhim,perhapshatedhim.Shespokeofhimcertainlyinaveryoddway.Butwhateverheractualemotionswere,hemeantsomethingtoher.Meantsomethingimportant.Ishookmyheadslowly.
“IcanseethatyoumightthinkI’dwanttoselltheplaceandleaveherebecauseofEllie’sdeath,”Isaid.“Butactuallythat’snotsoatall.WelivedhereandwerehappyandthisistheplaceIshallrememberherbest.Ishan’tsellGipsy’sAcre—notforanyconsideration!Youcanbequitesureofthat.”
Oureyesmet.Itwaslikeakindoftusslebetweenus.Thenhersdropped.
Itookmycourageinbothhandsandspoke.
“It’snobusinessofmine,butyouweremarriedonce.WasthenameofyourhusbandStanfordLloyd?”
Shelookedatmeforamomentwithoutspeaking.Thenshesaidabruptly:
“Yes,”andturnedaway.
Twenty-one
Confusion—That’sallIcanrememberwhenIlookback.Newspapermenaskingquestions—wantinginterviews—massesoflettersandtelegrams—Gretacopingwiththem—
ThefirstreallystartlingthingwasthatEllie’sfamilywerenotaswesupposedinAmerica.ItwasquiteashocktofindthatmostofthemwereactuallyinEngland.Itwasunderstandable,perhaps,thatCoravanStuyvesantshouldbe.Shewasaveryrestlesswoman,alwaysdashingacrosstoEurope,toItaly,toParis,toLondonandbackagaintoAmerica,toPalmBeach,outWesttotheranch;here,thereandeverywhere.OntheactualdayofEllie’sdeathshehadbeennotmorethanfiftymilesaway,stillpursuingherwhimofhavingahouseinEngland.ShehadrushedovertostayinLondonfortwoorthreedaysandgonetofreshhouseagentsforfreshorderstoviewandhadbeentouringroundthecountryseeinghalfadozenonthatparticularday.
StanfordLloyd,itturnedout,hadflownoverinthesameplaneostensiblyforabusinessmeetinginLondon.ThesepeoplelearntofEllie’sdeath,notfromthecableswhichwehaddispatchedtotheUnitedStatesbutfromthepublicPress.
AnuglywrangledevelopedaboutwhereEllieshouldbeburied.Ihadassumeditwasonlynaturalthatshe’dbeburiedherewhereshehaddied.HerewheresheandIhadlived.
ButEllie’sfamilyobjectedviolentlytothis.TheywantedthebodybroughttoAmericatobeburiedwithherforebears.Wherehergrandfatherandherfather,hermotherandothershadbeenlaidtorest.Isupposeitwasnatural,really,whenonecomestothinkofit.
AndrewLippincottcamedowntotalktomeaboutit.Heputthematterinareasonableway.
“Sheneverleftanydirectionsastowhereshewishedtobeburied,”hepointedouttome.
“Whyshouldshe?”Idemandedhotly.“Howoldwasshe—twenty-one?Youdon’tthinkattwenty-oneyou’regoingtodie.Youdon’tstartthinkingthenthewayyouwanttobeburied.Ifwe’deverthoughtaboutitwe’dassumewe’dbeburiedtogethersomewhereevenifwedidn’tdieatthesametime.Butwhothinksofdeathinthemiddleoflife?”
“Averyjustobservation,”saidMr.Lippincott.Thenhesaid,“I’mafraidyou’llalsohavetocometoAmerica,youknow.There’sagreatdealofbusinessinterestsyou’llhavetolookinto.”
“Whatsortofbusiness?WhathaveIgottodowithbusiness?”
“Youcouldhaveagreatdealtodowithit,”hesaid.“Don’tyourealizethatyou’retheprincipalbeneficiaryunderthewill?”
“YoumeanbecauseI’mEllie’snextofkinorsomething?”
“No.Underherwill.”
“Ididn’tknowsheevermadeawill.”
“Ohyes,”saidMr.Lippincott.“Elliewasquiteabusinesslikeyoungwoman.She’dhadtobe,youknow.She’dlivedinthemiddleofthatkindofthing.Shemadeawilloncomingofageandalmostimmediatelyaftershewasmarried.ItwaslodgedwithherlawyerinLondonwitharequestthatonecopyshouldbesenttome.”Hehesitatedandthensaid,“IfyoudocometotheStates,whichIadvise,Ialsothinkthatyoushouldplaceyouraffairsinthehandsofsomereputablelawyerthere.”
“Why?”
“Becauseinthecaseofavastfortune,largequantitiesofrealestate,stocks,controllinginterestsinvaryingindustries,youwillneedtechnicaladvice.”
“I’mnotqualifiedtodealwiththingslikethat,”Isaid.“ReallyI’mnot.”
“Iquiteunderstand,”saidMr.Lippincott.
“Couldn’tIplacethewholethinginyourhands?”
“Youcoulddoso.”
“Wellthen,whydon’tI?”
“Allthesame,Ithinkyoushouldbeseparatelyrepresented.Iamalreadyactingforsomemembersofthefamilyandaconflictofinterestsmightarise.Ifyouwillleaveitinmyhands,Iwillseethatyourinterestsaresafeguardedbyyourbeingrepresentedbyathoroughlyableattorney.”
“Thankyou,”Isaid,“you’reverykind.”
“IfImaybeslightlyindiscreet—”helookedalittleuncomfortable—itpleasedmeratherthinkingofLippincottbeingindiscreet.
“Yes?”Isaid.
“Ishouldadviseyoutobeverycarefulofanythingyousign.Anybusinessdocuments.Beforeyousignanything,readitthoroughlyandcarefully.”
“Wouldthekindofdocumentyou’retalkingaboutmeananythingtomeifIdoreadit?”
“Ifitisnotallcleartoyou,youwillthenhanditovertoyourlegaladviser.”
“Areyouwarningmeagainstsomebodyorsomeone?”Isaid,withasuddenlyarousedinterest.
“Thatisnotatallaproperquestionformetoanswer,”saidMr.Lippincott.“Iwillgothisfar.Wherelargesumsofmoneyareconcerneditisadvisabletotrustnobody.”
Sohewaswarningmeagainstsomeone,buthewasn’tgoingtogivemeanynames.Icouldseethat.WasitagainstCora?Orhadhehadsuspicions—perhapssuspicionsofsomelongstanding—ofStanfordLloyd,thatfloridbankersofullofbonhomie,sorichandcarefree,whohadrecentlybeenoverhere“onbusiness?”MightitbeUncleFrankwhomightapproachmewithsomeplausibledocuments?Ihadasuddenvisionofmyself,apoorinnocentboob,swimminginalakesurroundedbyevillydisposedcrocodiles,allsmilingfalsesmilesofamity.
“Theworld,”saidMr.Lippincott,“isaveryevilplace.”
Itwasperhapsastupidthingtosay,butquitesuddenlyIaskedhimaquestion.
“DoesEllie’sdeathbenefitanyone?”Iasked.
Helookedatmesharply.
“That’saverycuriousquestion.Whydoyouaskthat?”
“Idon’tknow,”Isaid,“itjustcameintomyhead.”
“Itbenefitsyou,”hesaid.
“Ofcourse,”Isaid.“Itakethatforgranted.Ireallymeant—doesitbenefitanyoneelse?”
Mr.Lippincottwassilentforquitealongtime.
“Ifyoumean,”hesaid,“doesFenella’swillbenefitcertainotherpeopleinthewayoflegacies,thatissoinaminordegree.Someoldservants,anoldgoverness,oneortwocharitiesbutnothingofanyparticularmoment.There’salegacytoMissAndersenbutnotalargeoneforshehasalready,asyouprobablyknow,settledaveryconsiderablesumonMissAndersen.”
Inodded.Elliehadtoldmeshewasdoingthat.
“Youwereherhusband.Shehadnoothernearrelations.ButItakeitthatyourquestiondidnotmeanspecificallythat.”
“Idon’tknowquitewhatImeantbyit,”Isaid.“Butsomehoworother,you’vesucceeded,Mr.Lippincott,inmakingmefeelsuspicious.SuspiciousofIdon’tknowwho,orwhy.Only—well,suspicious.Idon’tunderstandfinance,”Iadded.
“No,thatisquiteapparent.LetmesayonlythatIhavenoexactknowledge,noexactsuspicionsofanykind.Atsomeone’sdeaththereisusuallyanaccountingoftheiraffairs.Thismaytakeplacequicklyoritmaybedelayedforaperiodofmanyyears.”
“Whatyoureallymean,”Isaid,“isthatsomeoftheothersquitelikelymightputafewfastonesoverandballupthingsgenerally.Getmeperhapstosignreleases—whateveryoucallthethings.”
“IfFenella’saffairswerenot,shallwesay,inthehealthystatetheyoughttobe,then—yes,possiblyherprematuredeathmightbe,shallwesay,fortunateforsomeone,wewillnamenonames,someoneperhapswhocouldcoverhistracesmoreeasilyifhehadafairlysimpleperson,ifImaysayso,likeyourselftodealwith.IwillgothatfarbutIdonotwishtospeakfurtheronthematter.Itwouldnotbeequitabletodoso.”
Therewasasimplefuneralserviceheldinthelittlechurch.IfIcouldhavestayedawayIwouldhavedoneso.Ihatedallthosepeoplewhowerestaringatmeliningupoutsidethechurch.Curiouseyes.Gretapulledmethroughthings.Idon’tthinkI’drealizeduntilnowwhatastrong,reliablecharactershewas.Shemadethearrangements,orderedflowers,arrangedeverything.IunderstoodbetternowhowElliehadcometodependuponGretaasshehaddone.Therearen’tmanyGretasintheworld.
Thepeopleinthechurchweremostlyourneighbours—some,even,thatwehadhardlyknown.ButInoticedonefacethatIhadseenbefore,butwhichIcouldnotatthemomentplace.WhenIgotbacktothehouse,Carsontoldmetherewasagentlemaninthedrawingroomwaitingtoseeme.
“Ican’tseeanyonetoday.Sendhimaway.Youshouldn’thavelethimin!”
“Excuseme,sir.Hesaidhewasarelation.”
“Arelation?”
SuddenlyIrememberedthemanI’dseeninthechurch.
Carsonwashandingmeacard.
Itmeantnothingtomeforamoment.Mr.WilliamR.Pardoe.Iturneditoverandshookmyhead.ThenIhandedittoGreta.
“Doyouknowbyanychancewhothisis?”Isaid.“HisfaceseemedfamiliarbutIcouldn’tplaceit.Perhapsit’soneofEllie’sfriends.”
Gretatookitfrommeandlookedatit.Thenshesaid:
“Ofcourse.”
“Whoisit?”
“UncleReuben.Youremember.Ellie’scousin.She’sspokenofhimtoyou,surely?”
Irememberedthenwhythefacehadseemedfamiliartome.Elliehadhadseveralphotographsinhersittingroomofhervariousrelationscarelesslyplacedabouttheroom.Thatwaswhythefacehadbeensofamiliar.Ihadseenitsofaronlyinaphotograph.
“I’llcome,”Isaid.
Iwentoutoftheroomandintothedrawingroom.Mr.Pardoerosetohisfeet,andsaid:
“MichaelRogers?Youmaynotknowmynamebutyourwifewasmycousin.ShecalledmeUncleReubenalways,butwehaven’tmet,Iknow.ThisisthefirsttimeI’vebeenoversinceyourmarriage.”
“OfcourseIknowwhoyouare,”Isaid.
Idon’tknowquitehowtodescribeReubenPardoe.Hewasabigburlymanwithalargeface,wideandratherabsent-lookingasthoughhewerethinkingofsomethingelse.Yetafteryouhadtalkedtohimforafewmomentsyougotthefeelingthathewasmoreontheballthanyouwouldhavethought.
“Idon’tneedtotellyouhowshockedandgrievedIwastohearofEllie’sdeath,”hesaid.
“Let’sskipthat,”Isaid.“I’mnotuptotalkingaboutit.”
“No,no,Icanunderstandthat.”
Hehadacertainsympatheticpersonalityandyettherewassomethingabouthimthatmademevaguelyuneasy.Isaid,asGretaentered:
“YouknowMissAndersen?”
“Ofcourse,”hesaid,“howareyou,Greta?”
“Nottoobad,”saidGreta.“Howlonghaveyoubeenover?”
“Justaweekortwo.Touringaround.”
Thenitcametome.OnanimpulseIwentin.“Isawyoutheotherday.”
“Really?Where?”
“AtanauctionsaleataplacecalledBartingtonManor.”
“Iremembernow,”hesaid,“yes,yesIthinkIrememberyourface.Youwerewithamanaboutsixtywithabrownmoustache.”
“Yes,”Isaid.“AMajorPhillpot.”
“Youseemedingoodspirits,”hesaid,“bothofyou.”
“Neverbetter,”Isaid,andrepeatedwiththestrangewonderthatIalwaysfelt,“Neverbetter.”
“Ofcourse—atthattimeyoudidn’tknowwhathadhappened.Thatwasthedateoftheaccident,wasn’tit?”
“Yes,wewereexpectingEllietojoinusforlunch.”
“Tragic,”saidUncleReuben.“Reallytragic….”
“Ihadnoidea,”Isaid,“thatyouwereinEngland.Idon’tthinkElliehadanyideaeither?”Ipaused,waitingforwhathewouldtellme.
“No,”hesaid,“Ihadn’twritten.Infact,Ididn’tknowhowmuchtimeIshouldhaveoverhere,butactuallyI’dconcludedmybusinessearlierthanIthoughtandIwaswonderingifafterthesaleI’dhavethetimetodriveoverandseeyou.”
“YoucameoverfromtheStatesonbusiness?”Iasked.
“Well,partlyyesandpartlyno.Corawantedsomeadvicefrommeononeortwomatters.Oneconcerningthishouseshe’sthinkingofbuying.”
ItwasthenthathetoldmewhereCorahadbeenstayinginEngland.AgainIsaid:
“Wedidn’tknowthat.”
“Shewasactuallystayingnotfarfromherethatday,”hesaid.
“Nearhere?Wassheinahotel?”
“No,shewasstayingwithafriend.”
“Ididn’tknowshehadanyfriendsinthispartoftheworld.”
“Awomancalled—nowwhatwashername?—Hard—something.Hardcastle.”
“ClaudiaHardcastle?”Iwassurprised
“Yes.ShewasquiteafriendofCora’s.CoraknewherwellwhenshewasintheStates.Didn’tyouknow?”
“Iknowverylittle,”Isaid.“Verylittleaboutthefamily.”
IlookedatGreta.
“DidyouknowthatCoraknewClaudiaHardcastle?”
“Idon’tthinkIeverheardherspeakofher,”saidGreta.“Sothat’swhyClaudiadidn’tturnupthatday.”
“Ofcourse,”Isaid,“shewasgoingwithyoutoshopinLondon.YouweretomeetatMarketChadwellstation—”
“Yes—andshewasn’tthere.SherangupthehousejustafterI’dleft.SaidsomeAmericanvisitorhadturnedupunexpectedlyandshecouldn’tleavehome.”
“Iwonder,”Isaid,“iftheAmericanvisitorcouldhavebeenCora.”
“Obviously,”saidReubenPardoe.Heshookhishead.“Itallseemssoconfused,”hesaid.Hewenton,“Iunderstandtheinquestwasadjourned.”
“Yes,”Isaid.
Hedrainedhiscupandgotup.
“Iwon’tstaytoworryyouanymore,”hesaid.“Ifthere’sanythingIcando,I’mstayingattheMajesticHotelinMarketChadwell.”
IsaidIwasafraidtherewasn’tanythinghecoulddoandthankedhim.Whenhehadgoneaway,Gretasaid:
“Whatdoeshewant,Iwonder?Whydidhecomeover?”Andthensharply:“Iwishthey’dallgobackwheretheybelong.”
“IwonderifitwasreallyStanfordLloydIsawattheGeorge—Ionlygotaglimpse.”
“YousaidhewaswithsomeonewholookedlikeClaudiasoitprobablywashim.PerhapshecalledtoseeherandReubencametoseeCora—whatamix-up!”
“Idon’tlikeit—allofthemmillingroundthatday.”
Gretasaidthingsoftenhappenedthatway—asusualshewasquitecheerfulandreasonableaboutit.
Twenty-two
I
TherewasnothingmoreformetodoatGipsy’sAcre.IleftGretainchargeofthehousewhileIsailedtoNewYorktowindupthingsthereandtotakepartinwhatIfeltwithsomedreadweregoingtobethemostghastlygold-platedobsequiesforEllie.
“You’regoingintothejungle,”Gretawarnedme.“Lookafteryourself.Don’tletthemskinyoualive.”
Shewasrightaboutthat.Itwasthejungle.IfeltitwhenIgotthere.Ididn’tknowaboutjungles—notthatkindofjungle.IwasoutofmydepthandIknewit.Iwasn’tthehunter,Iwasthehunted.Therewerepeopleallroundmeintheundergrowth,gunningforme.Sometimes,Iexpect,Iimaginedthings.Sometimesmysuspicionswerejustified.IremembergoingtothelawyersuppliedformebyMr.Lippincott(amosturbanemanwhotreatedmeratherasageneralpractitionermighthavedoneinthemedicalprofession).Ihadbeenadvisedtogetridofcertainminingpropertiestowhichthetitledeedswerenottooclear.
HeaskedmewhohadtoldmesoandIsaiditwasStanfordLloyd.
“Well,wemustlookintoit,”hesaid.“AmanlikeMr.Lloydoughttoknow.”
Hesaidtomeafterwards:
“There’snothingwrongwithyourtitledeeds,andthereiscertainlynopointinyoursellingthelandinahurry,asheseemstohaveadvisedyou.Hangontoit.”
IhadthefeelingthenthatI’dbeenright,everybodywasgunningforme.TheyallknewIwasasimpletonwhenitcametofinance.
Thefuneralwassplendidand,Ithought,quitehorrible.Gold-plated,asIhadsurmised.Atthecemetery,massesofflowers,thecemeteryitselflikeapublicparkandallthetrimmingsofwealthymourningexpressedinmonumentalmarble.Elliewouldhavehatedit,Iwassureofthat.ButIsupposeherfamilyhadacertainrighttoher.
FourdaysaftermyarrivalinNewYorkIhadnewsfromKingstonBishop.
ThebodyofoldMrs.Leehadbeenfoundinthedisusedquarryonthefarsideofthehill.Shehadbeendeadsomedays.Therehadbeenaccidentstherebefore,andithadbeensaidthattheplaceoughttobefencedin—butnothinghadbeendone.AverdictofAccidentalDeathhadbeenbroughtinandafurtherrecommendationtotheCounciltofencetheplaceoff.InMrs.Lee’scottageasumofthreehundredpoundshadbeenfoundhiddenunderthefloorboards,allinone-poundnotes.
MajorPhillpothadaddedinapostscript,“I’msureyouwillbesorrytohearthatClaudiaHardcastlewasthrownfromherhorseandkilledouthuntingyesterday.”
Claudia—killed?Icouldn’tbelieveit!Itgavemeaverynastyjolt.Twopeople—withinafortnight,killedinaridingaccident.Itseemedlikeanalmostimpossiblecoincidence.
II
Idon’twanttodwellonthattimeIspentinNewYork.Iwasastrangerinanalienatmosphere.IfeltallthetimethatIhadtobewaryofwhatIsaidandwhatIdid.TheElliethatIhadknown,theElliethathadbelongedpeculiarlytomewasnotthere.IsawhernowonlyasanAmericangirl,heiresstoagreatfortune,surroundedbyfriendsandconnectionsanddistantrelatives,oneofafamilythathadlivedthereforfivegenerations.Shehadcomefromthereasacometmighthavecome,visitingmyterritory.
Nowshehadgonebacktobeburiedwithherownfolk,towhereherownhomewas.Iwasgladtohaveitthatway.Ishouldn’thavebeeneasyfeelingherthereintheprimlittlecemeteryatthefootofthepinewoodsjustoutsidethevillage.No,Ishouldn’thavebeeneasy.
“Gobackwhereyoubelong,Ellie,”Isaidtomyself.
Nowandagainthathauntinglittletuneofthesongsheusedtosingtoherguitarcameintomymind.Irememberedherfingerstwangingthestrings.
EveryMornandeveryNightSomeareborntoSweetDelight
andIthought“Thatwastrueofyou.YouwereborntoSweetDelight.YouhadSweetDelightthereatGipsy’sAcre.Onlyitdidn’tlastverylong.Nowit’sover.You’vecomebacktowhereperhapstherewasn’tmuchdelight,whereyouweren’thappy.Butyou’reathomehereanyway.You’reamongyourownfolk.”
IwonderedsuddenlywhereIshouldbewhenthetimecameformetodie.Gipsy’sAcre?Itcouldbe.Mymotherwouldcomeandseemelaidinmygrave—ifshewasn’tdeadalready.ButIcouldn’tthinkofmymotherbeingdead.Icouldthinkmoreeasilyofdeathformyself.Yes,she’dcomeandseemeburied.Perhapsthesternnessofherfacewouldrelax.Itookmythoughtsawayfromher.Ididn’twanttothinkofher.Ididn’twanttogonearherorseeher.
Thatlastisn’tquitetrue.Itwasn’taquestionofseeingher.Itwasalwayswithmymotheraquestionofherseeingme,ofhereyeslookingthroughme,ofananxietythatsweptoutlikeamiasmaembracingme.Ithought:“Mothersarethedevil!Whyhavetheygottobroodovertheirchildren?Whydotheyfeeltheyknowallabouttheirchildren?Theydon’t.Theydon’t!Sheoughttobeproudofme,happyforme,happyforthewonderfullifethatI’veachieved.Sheought—”ThenIwrenchedthoughtsawayfromheragain.
HowlongwasIoverintheStates?Ican’tevenremember.Itseemedanageofwalkingwarily,ofbeingwatchedbypeoplewithfalsesmilesandenmityintheireyes.Isaidtomyselfeveryday,“I’vegottogetthroughthis.I’vegottogetthroughthis—andthen.”ThosewerethetwowordsIused.Usedinmyownmind,Imean.Usedthemeverydayseveraltimes.Andthen—Theywerethetwowordsofthefuture.IusedtheminthesamewaythatIhadonceusedthoseothertwowords.Iwant….
EveryonewentoutoftheirwaytobenicetomebecauseIwasrich!UnderthetermsofEllie’swillIwasanextremelyrichman.Ifeltveryodd.IhadinvestmentsIdidn’tunderstand,shares,stocks,property.AndIdidn’tknowintheleastwhattodowiththemall.
ThedaybeforeIwentbacktoEnglandIhadalongconversationwithMr.Lippincott.Ialwaysthoughtofhimlikethatinmymind—asMr.Lippincott.He’dneverbecomeUncleAndrewtome.ItoldhimthatIthoughtofwithdrawingthechargeofmyinvestmentsfromStanfordLloyd.
“Indeed!”Hisgrizzledeyebrowsrose.HelookedatmewithhisshrewdeyesandhispokerfaceandIwonderedwhatexactlyhis“indeed”meant.
“Doyouthinkit’sallrighttodothat?”Iaskedanxiously.
“Youhavereasons,Ipresume?”
“No,”Isaid,“Ihaven’tgotreasons.Afeeling,that’sall.IsupposeIcansayanythingtoyou?”
“Thecommunicationwillbeprivileged,naturally.”
“Allright,”Isaid,“Ijustfeelthathe’sacrook!”
“Ah.”Mr.Lippincottlookedinterested.“Yes,Ishouldsayyourinstinctwaspossiblysound.”
SoIknewthenthatIwasright.StanfordLloydhadbeenplayinghanky-pankywithEllie’sbondsandinvestmentsandalltherestofit.IsignedapowerofattorneyandgaveittoAndrewLippincott.
“You’rewilling,”Isaid,“toacceptit?”
“Asfarasfinancialmattersareconcerned,”saidMr.Lippincott,“youcantrustmeabsolutely.Iwilldomybestforyouinthatrespect.Idon’tthinkyouwillhaveanyreasontocomplainofmystewardship.”
Iwonderedexactlywhathemeantbythat.Hemeantsomething.Ithinkhemeantthathedidn’tlikeme,hadneverlikedme,butfinanciallyhewoulddohisbestformebecauseIhadbeenEllie’shusband.Isignedallnecessarypapers.HeaskedmehowIwasgoingbacktoEngland.Flying?Isaidno,Iwasn’tflying,Iwasgoingbysea.“I’vegottohavealittletimetomyself,”Isaid.“Ithinkaseavoyagewilldomegood.”
“Andyouaregoingtotakeupyourresidence—where?”
“Gipsy’sAcre,”Isaid.
“Ah.Youproposetolivethere.”
“Yes,”Isaid.
“Ithoughtperhapsyoumighthaveputitonthemarketforsale.”
“No,”Isaid,andthenocameoutratherstrongerthanImeant.Iwasn’tgoingtopartwithGipsy’sAcre.Gipsy’sAcrehadbeenpartofmydream,thedreamthatI’dcherishedsinceI’dbeenacallowboy.
“IsanybodylookingafteritwhileyouhavebeenawayintheStates?”
IsaidthatI’dleftGretaAndersenincharge.
“Ah,”saidMr.Lippincott,“yes.Greta.”
Hemeantsomethinginthewayhesaid“Greta”butIdidn’ttakehimuponit.Ifhedislikedher,hedislikedher.Healwayshad.Itleftanawkwardpause,thenIchangedmymind.IfeltthatI’dgottosaysomething.
“ShewasverygoodtoEllie,”Isaid.“Shenursedherwhenshewasill,shecameandlivedwithusandlookedafterEllie.I—Ican’tbegratefulenoughtoher.I’dlikeyoutounderstandthat.Youdon’tknowwhatshe’sbeenlike.Youdon’tknowhowshehelpedanddideverythingafterElliewaskilled.Idon’tknowwhatI’dhavedonewithouther.”
“Quiteso,quiteso,”saidMr.Lippincott.Hesoundeddrierthanyoucouldpossiblyimagine.
“SoyouseeIoweheralot.”
“Averycompetentgirl,”saidMr.Lippincott.
Igotupandsaidgood-byeandIthankedhim.
“Youhavenothingforwhichtothankme,”saidMr.Lippincott,dryasever.
Headded,“Iwroteyouashortletter.IhavesentitbyairmailtoGipsy’sAcre.Ifyouaregoingbyseayouwillprobablyfinditwaitingthereonarrival.”Thenhesaid,“Haveagoodvoyage.”
Iaskedhim,ratherhesitantly,ifhe’dknownStanfordLloyd’swife—agirlcalledClaudiaHardcastle.
“Ah,youmeanhisfirstwife.NoInevermether.ThemarriageIbelievebrokeupquitesoon.Afterthedivorce,heremarried.Thattooendedindivorce.”
Sothatwasthat.
WhenIgotbacktomyhotelIfoundacable.ItaskedmetocometoahospitalinCalifornia.Itsaidafriendofmine,RudolfSantonix,hadaskedforme,hehadnotlongtoliveandhewishedtoseemebeforehedied.
IchangedmypassagetoalaterboatandflewtoSanFrancisco.Hewasn’tdeadyet,buthewassinkingveryfast.Theydoubted,theysaid,ifhewouldrecoverconsciousnessbeforehedied,buthehadaskedformeveryurgently.Isatthereinthathospitalroomwatchinghim,watchingwhatlookedlikeashellofthemanIknew.He’dalwayslookedill,he’dalwayshadakindofqueertransparencyabouthim,adelicacy,afrailness.Helaynowlookingadeadly,waxenfigure.Isattherethinking:“Iwishhe’dspeaktome.Iwishhe’dsaysomething.Justsomethingbeforehedies.”
Ifeltsoalone,sohorriblyalone.I’descapedfromenemiesnow,I’dgottoafriend.Myonlyfriend,really.Hewastheonlypersonwhoknewanythingaboutme,exceptMum,butIdidn’twanttothinkofMum.
OnceortwiceIspoketoanurse,askedheriftherewasn’tanythingtheycoulddo,butsheshookherheadandsaidnoncommittally:
“Hemightrecoverconsciousnessormightnot.”
Isatthere.Andthenatlasthestirredandsighed.Thenurseraisedhimupverygently.HelookedatmebutIdidn’tknowwhetherherecognizedmeornot.Hewasjustlookingatmeasthoughhelookedpastmeandbeyondme.Thensuddenlyadifferencecameintohiseyes.Ithought,“Hedoesknowme,hedoesseeme.”HesaidsomethingveryfaintlyandIbentoverthebedsoastocatchit.Buttheydidn’tseemwordsthathadanymeaning.Thenhisbodyhadasuddenspasmandtwitch,andhethrewhisheadbackandshoutedout:
“Youdamnedfool…Whydidn’tyougotheotherway?”
Thenhejustcollapsedanddied.
Idon’tknowwhathemeant—orevenifheknewhimselfwhathewassaying.
SothatwasthelastIsawofSantonix.Iwonderifhe’dhaveheardmeifIhadsaidanythingtohim?I’dliketohavetoldhimoncemorethatthehousehe’dbuiltmewasthebestthingIhadintheworld.Thethingthatmatteredmosttome.Funnythatahousecouldmeanthat.Isupposeitwasasortofsymbolismaboutit.Somethingyouwant.Somethingyouwantsomuchthatyoudon’tquiteknowwhatitis.Buthe’dknownwhatitwasandhe’dgivenittome.AndI’dgotit.AndIwasgoinghometoit.
Goinghome.That’sallIcouldthinkaboutwhenIgotontheboat.Thatandadeadlytirednessatfirst…Andthenarisingtideofhappinessoozingupasitwerefromthedepths…Iwasgoinghome.Iwasgoinghome….
Homeisthesailor,homefromtheseaAndthehunterhomefromthehill…Twenty-three
I
Yes,thatwaswhatIwasdoing.Itwasallovernow.Thelastofthefight,thelastofthestruggle.Thelastphaseofthejourney.
Itseemedsolongagotothetimeofmyrestlessyouth.Thedaysof“Iwant,Iwant.”Butitwasn’tlong.Lessthanayear…
Iwentoveritall—lyingthereinmybunk,andthinking.
MeetingEllie—ourtimesinRegent’sPark—ourmarriageintheRegistrar’sOffice.Thehouse—Santonixbuildingit—thehousecompleted.Mine,allmine.Iwasme—me—measIwantedtobe.AsI’dalwayswantedtobe.I’dgoteverythingI’dwantedandIwasgoinghometoit.
BeforeIleftNewYorkI’dwrittenoneletterandsentitoffbyairmailtogetthereaheadofme.I’dwrittentoPhillpot.SomehowIfeltthatPhillpotwouldunderstand,thoughothersmightn’t.
Itwaseasiertowritethantotellhim.Anyway,he’dgottoknow.Everyonehadgottoknow.Somepeopleprobablywouldn’tunderstand,butIthoughthewould.He’dseenforhimselfhowcloseEllieandGretahadbeen,howElliehaddependedonGreta.Ithoughthe’drealizehowI’dcometodependuponheralso,howitwouldbeimpossibleformetolivealoneinthehousewhereI’dlivedwithEllieunlesstherewassomeonetheretohelpme.Idon’tknowifIputitverywell.Ididmybest.
“I’dlikeyou,”Iwrote,“tobethefirsttoknow.You’vebeensokindtous,andIthinkyou’llbetheonlypersontounderstand.Ican’tfacelivingaloneatGipsy’sAcre.I’vebeenthinkingallthetimeI’vebeeninAmericaandI’vedecidedthatassoonasIgethomeI’mgoingtoaskGretatomarryme.She’stheonlypersonIcanreallytalktoaboutEllie,yousee.She’llunderstand.Perhapsshewon’tmarryme,butIthinkshewill…Itwillmakeeverythingasthoughtherewerethethreeofustogetherstill.”
IwrotetheletterthreetimesbeforeIcouldgetittoexpressjustwhatIwantedtosay.Phillpotoughttogetittwodaysbeforemyreturn.
IcameupondeckaswewereapproachingEngland.Ilookedoutasthelandcamenearer.Ithought,“IwishSantonixwaswithme.”Ididwishit.Iwishedhecouldknowhoweverythingwasallcomingtrue.EverythingI’dplanned—everythingI’dthought—everythingI’dwanted.
I’dshakenoffAmerica,I’dshakenoffthecrooksandthesycophantsandallthewholelotofthemwhomIhatedandwhomIwasprettysurehatedmeandlookeddownonmeforbeingsolowclass!Iwasbackintriumph.IwascomingbacktothepinetreesandthecurlingdangerousroadthatmadeitswayupthroughGipsy’sAcretothehouseonthehilltop.Myhouse!IwascomingbacktothetwothingsIwanted.Myhouse—thehousethatI’ddreamedof,thatI’dplanned,thatI’dwantedaboveeverything.Thatandawonderfulwoman…I’dknownalwaysthatI’dmeetonedayawonderfulwoman.Ihadmether.I’dseenherandshe’dseenme.We’dcometogether.Awonderfulwoman.I’dknownthemomentIsawherthatIbelongedtoher,belongedtoherabsolutelyandforalways.Iwashers.Andnow—atlast—Iwasgoingtoher.
NobodysawmearriveatKingstonBishop.ItwasalmostdarkandIcamebytrainandIwalkedfromthestation,takingaroundaboutsideroad.Ididn’twanttomeetanyofthepeopleinthevillage.Notthatnight….
ThesunhadsetwhenIcameuptheroadtoGipsy’sAcre.I’dtoldGretathetimeI’darrive.Shewasupthereinthehousewaitingforme.Atlast!We’ddonewithsubterfugesnowandallthepretences—thepretenceofdislikingher—Ithoughtnow,laughingtomyself,ofthepartI’dplayed,apartI’dplayedcarefullyrightfromthebeginning.DislikingGreta,notwantinghertocomeandstaywithEllie.Yes,I’dbeenverycareful.Everyonemusthavebeentakeninbythepretence.Irememberedthequarrelwe’dfakedupsothatEllieshouldoverhearit.
GretahadknownmeforwhatIwasthefirstmomentwemet.We’dneverhadanysillyillusionsabouteachother.Shehadthesamekindofmind,thesamekindofdesiresasIhad.WewantedtheWorld,nothingless!WewantedtobeontopoftheWorld.Wewantedtofulfileveryambition.Wewantedtohaveeverything,denyourselvesnothing.IrememberedhowI’dpouredoutmyhearttoherwhenIfirstmetherinHamburg,tellinghermyfrenzieddesireforthings.Ihadn’tgottoconcealmyinordinategreedforlifefromGreta,shehadthesamegreedherself.Shesaid:
“Forallyouwantoutoflifeyou’vegottohavemoney.”
“Yes,”Isaid,“andIdon’tseehowI’mgoingtogetit.”
“No,”saidGreta,“youwon’tgetitbyhardwork.You’renotthekind.”
“Work!”Isaid.“I’dhavetoworkforyears!Idon’twanttowait.Idon’twanttobemiddle-aged.”Isaid,“YouknowthestoryaboutthatchapSchliemannhowheworked,toiled,andmadeafortunesothathecouldhavehislife’sdreamcometrueandgotoTroyanddigitupandfindthegravesofTroy.Hegothisdreambuthehadtowaittillhewasforty.ButIdon’twanttowaittillI’mamiddle-agedman.Old.Onefootinthegrave.IwantitnowwhenI’myoungandstrong.Youdotoo,don’tyou?”
“Yes.AndIknowthewayyoucandoit.It’seasy.Iwonderyouhaven’tthoughtofitalready.Youcangetgirlseasilyenough,can’tyou?Icanseethat.Icanfeelit.”
“DoyouthinkIcareaboutgirls—oreverhavereally?There’sonlyonegirlIwant,”Isaid.“You.Andyouknowthat.Ibelongtoyou.IknewitthemomentIsawyou.IknewalwaysthatI’dmeetsomeonelikeyou.AndIhave.Ibelongtoyou.”
“Yes,”saidGreta,“Ithinkyoudo.”
“Webothwantthesamethingsoutoflife,”Isaid.
“Itellyouit’seasy,”saidGreta.“Easy.Allyou’vegottodoistomarryarichgirl,oneoftherichestgirlsintheworld.Icanputyouinthewayofdoingthat.”
“Don’tbefantastic,”Isaid.
“It’snotfantastic,it’llbeeasy.”
“No,”Isaid,“that’snogoodtome.Idon’twanttobethehusbandofarichwife.She’llbuymethingsandwe’lldothingsandshe’llkeepmeinagoldencage,butthat’snotwhatIwant.Idon’twanttobeatied-upslave.”
“Youneedn’tbe.It’sthesortofthingthatneedn’tlastforlong.Justlongenough.Wivesdodie,youknow.”
Istaredather.
“Nowyou’reshocked,”shesaid.
“No,”Isaid,“I’mnotshocked.”
“Ithoughtyouwouldn’tbe.Ithoughtperhapsalready?”Shelookedatmeinquiringly,butIwasn’tgoingtoanswerthat.Istillhadsomeself-preservationleft.Therearesomesecretsonedoesn’twantanyonetoknow.Notthattheyweremuchinthewayofsecrets,butIdidn’tliketothinkofthem.Ididn’tliketothinkofthefirstone.Sillythough.Puerile.Nothingthatmattered.Ihadhadaboy’spassionforaclassywristwatchthataboy…afriendofmineatschool—hadbeengiven.Iwantedit.Iwanteditbadly.Ithadcostalotofmoney.Arichgodfatherhadgivenittohim.Yes,Iwantedthat,butIdidn’tthinkI’deverhaveachanceofgettingit.Thentherewasthedaywewentskatingtogether.Theicewasn’tstrongenoughtobear.Notthatwethoughtofitbeforehand.Itjusthappened.Theicecracked.Iskatedacrosstohim.Hewashangingon.Hehadgonethroughaholeandhewashangingontotheicewhichwascuttinghishands.Iwentacrosstopullhimout,ofcourse,butjustasIgotthereIsawtheglintofthewristwatch.Ithought“Supposinghegoesunderanddrowns.”Ithoughthoweasyitwouldbe….
Itseemedalmostunconsciously,Ithink,thatIunfastenedthestrap,grabbedthewatchandpushedhisheadunderinsteadoftryingtopullhimout…Justheldhisheadunder.Hecouldn’tstrugglemuch,hewasundertheice.Peoplesawandcametowardsus.TheythoughtIwastryingtopullhimout!Theygothimoutinduecourse,withsomedifficulty.Theytriedartificialrespirationonhimbutitwastoolate.IhidmytreasureawayinaspecialplacewhereIkeptthingsnowandthen.ThingsIdidn’twantMumtoseebecauseshe’daskmewhereIgotthem.Shecameacrossthatwatchonedaywhenshewasfoolingaboutwithmysocks.Askedmeifthatwasn’tPete’swatch?Isaidofcourseitwasn’t—itwasoneI’dswoppedwithaboyatschool.
IwasalwaysnervouswithMum—Ialwaysfeltsheknewtoomuchaboutme.Iwasnervouswithherwhenshefoundthewatch.Shesuspected,Ithink.Shecouldn’tknow,ofcourse.Nobodyknew.Butsheusedtolookatme.Inafunnyway.EverybodythoughtI’dtriedtorescuePete.Idon’tthinksheeverthoughtso.Ithinksheknew.Shedidn’twanttoknow,buthertroublewasthatsheknewtoomuchaboutme.Ifeltabitguiltysometimes,butitworeoff,fairlysoon.
Andthenlateron,whenIwasincamp.Itwasduringourmilitarytrainingtime.ChapcalledEdandIhadbeentoasortofgamblingplace.I’dhadnoluckatall,losteverythingIhad,butEdhadwonapacket.HechangedhischipsandheandIwerecominghomeandhewasstuffedupwithnotes.Hispocketswerebulgingwiththem.Thenacoupleoftoughscameroundthecornerandwentforus.Theywereprettyhandywiththeflickknivesthey’dgot.IgotcutinthearmbutEdgotapropersortofstab.Hewentdownunderit.Thentherewasanoiseofpeoplecoming.Thetoughshookedit.IcouldseethatifIwasquick…Iwasquick!Myreflexesareprettygood—IwrappedahandkerchiefroundmyhandandIpulledouttheknifefromEd’swoundandIstucktheknifeinagainacoupleoftimesinbetterplaces.Hegaveagaspandpassedout.Iwasscared,ofcourse,scaredforasecondortwoandthenIknewitwasgoingtobeallright.SoIfelt—well—naturallyIfeltproudofmyselfforthinkingandactingquick!Ithought“PooroldEd,healwayswasafool.”Ittookmenotimeatalltotransferthosenotestomyownpocket!Nothinglikehavingquickreflexes,seizingyouropportunity.Thetroubleistheopportunitiesdon’tcomeveryoften.Somepeople,Isuppose,getscaredwhentheyknowthey’vekilledsomeone.ButIwasn’tscared.Notthistime.
Mindyou,it’snotathingyouwanttodotoooften.Notunlessitmightbereallyworthyourwhile.Idon’tknowhowGretasensedthataboutme.Butshe’dknown.Idon’tmeanthatshe’dknownthatI’dactuallykilledacoupleofpeople.ButIthinksheknewtheideaofkillingwouldn’tshockorupsetme.Isaid:
“What’sallthisfantasticstory,Greta?”
Shesaid,“Iaminapositiontohelpyou.IcanbringyouintouchwithoneoftherichestgirlsinAmerica.Imoreorlesslookafterher.Ilivewithher.Ihavealotofinfluenceoverher.”
“Doyouthinkshe’dlookatsomeonelikeme?”Isaid.Ididn’tbelieveitforamoment.Whyshouldarichgirlwhocouldhaveherpickofanyattractive,sexymanshelikedgoforme?
“You’vegotalotofsexappeal,”saidGreta.“Girlsgoforyou,don’tthey?”
IgrinnedandsaidIdidn’tdotoobadly.
“She’sneverhadthatkindofthing.She’sbeenlookedaftertoowell.Theonlyyoungmenshe’sbeenallowedtomeetareconventionalkids,bankers’sons,tycoons’sons.She’sgroomedtomakeagoodmarriageinthemoneyedclass.They’reterrifiedofhermeetinghandsomeforeignerswhomightbeafterhermoney.Butnaturallyshe’skeeneronpeoplelikethat.They’dbenewtoher,somethingshe’sneverseenbefore.You’vegottomakeabigplayforher.You’vegottofallinlovewithheratfirstsightandsweepheroffherfeet!It’llbeeasyenough.She’sneverhadanyonetomakearealsexyapproachtoher.Youcoulddoit.”
“Icouldtry,”Isaiddoubtfully.
“Wecouldsetitup,”saidGreta.
“Herfamilywouldstepinandstopit.”
“Notheywouldn’t,”saidGreta,“theywouldn’tknowanythingaboutit.Notuntilitwastoolate.Notuntilyou’dgotmarriedsecretly.”
“Sothat’syouridea.”
Sowetalkedaboutit.Weplanned.Notindetail,mindyou.GretawentbacktoAmerica,butshekeptintouchwithme.Iwentonwithvariousjobs.I’dtoldheraboutGipsy’sAcreandthatIwantedit,andshesaidthatwasjustfineforsettinguparomanticstory.WelaidourplanssothatmymeetingwithElliewouldtakeplacethere.GretawouldworkEllieupabouthavingahouseinEnglandandgettingawayfromthefamilyassoonasshecameofage.
Ohyes,wesetitup.Gretawasagreatplanner.Idon’tthinkIcouldhaveplannedit,butIknewIcouldplaymypartallright.I’dalwaysenjoyedplayingapart.Andsothat’showithappened.That’showImetEllie.
Itwasfun,allofit.Madfunbecauseofcoursetherewasalwaysarisk,therewasalwaysadangerthatitwouldn’tcomeoff.ThethingthatmademereallynervouswerethetimesthatIhadtomeetGreta.Ihadtobesure,yousee,thatInevergavemyselfaway,bylookingatGreta.Itriednottolookather.WeagreeditwasbestthatIshouldtakeadisliketoher,pretendjealousyofher.Icarriedthatoutallright.Irememberthedayshecamedowntostay.Westagedaquarrel,aquarrelthatElliecouldhear.Idon’tknowwhetherweoverdiditabit.Idon’tthinkso.SometimesIwasnervousthatElliemightguessorsomething,butIdon’tthinkshedid.Idon’tknow.Idon’tknowreally.IneverdidknowaboutEllie.
ItwasveryeasytomakelovetoEllie.Shewasverysweet.Yes,shewasreallysweet.JustsometimesIwasafraidofherbecauseshedidthingssometimeswithouttellingme.AndsheknewthingsthatIneverdreamtsheknew.Butshelovedme.Yes,shelovedme.Sometimes—IthinkIlovedhertoo….
Idon’tmeanitwaseverlikeGreta.GretawasthewomanIbelongedto.Shewassexpersonified.IwasmadeforherandIhadtoholdmyselfin.Elliewassomethingdifferent.Ienjoyedlivingwithher,youknow.Yes,thatsoundsveryqueernowIthinkbacktoit.Ienjoyedlivingwithherverymuch.
I’mputtingthisdownnowbecausethisiswhatIwasthinkingthateveningwhenIarrivedbackfromAmerica.WhenIarrivedbackontopoftheworld,havinggotallI’dlongedforinspiteoftherisks,inspiteofthedangers,inspiteofhavingdoneaprettygoodmurder,thoughIsayitmyself!
Yes,itwastricky,Ithoughtonceortwice,butnobodycouldtell,notthewaywe’ddoneit.Nowtheriskswereover,thedangerswereoverandhereIwascominguptoGipsy’sAcre.ComingasI’dcomeuptoitthatdayafterI’dfirstseentheposteronthewalls,andgoneuptolookattheruinsoftheoldhouse.Comingupandroundingthebend—
Andthen—itwasthenIsawher.ImeanitwasthenIsawEllie.JustasIcameroundthecorneroftheroadinthedangerousplacewheretheaccidentshappened.Shewasthereinthesameplacejustwhereshe’dbeenbefore,standingintheshadowofthefirtree.Justasshe’dstood,whenshe’dstartedalittleasshesawmeandI’dstarted,seeingher.Therewe’dlookedateachotherfirstandI’dcomeupandspokentoher,playedthepartoftheyoungmanwho’sfallensuddenlyinlove.Playeditjollywelltoo!Oh,ItellyouI’mafineactor!
ButIhadn’texpectedtoseehernow…Imean,Icouldn’tseehernow,couldI?ButIwasseeingher…Shewaslooking—lookingstraightatme.Only—therewassomethingthatfrightenedme—somethingthatfrightenedmeverymuch.Itwas,yousee,justasthoughshedidn’tseeme—ImeanIknewshecouldn’treallybethere.Iknewshewasdead—butIsawher.ShewasdeadandherbodywasburiedinthecemeteryintheU.S.A.Butallthesameshewasstandingunderthefirtreeandshewaslookingatme.No,notatme.Shewaslookingasthoughsheexpectedtoseemeandtherewasloveinherface.ThesamelovethatIhadseenoneday,onedaywhenshe’dbeenpluckingthestringsofherguitar.Thatdaywhenshe’dsaidtome,“Whatwereyouthinkingof?”AndIsaid,“Whydoyouaskme?”andshesaid,“Youwerelookingatmeasthoughyoulovedme.”I’dsaidsomethingsillylike“OfcourseIloveyou.”
Istoppeddead.Istoppeddeadthereintheroad.Iwasshaking.Isaidoutloud:
“Ellie.”
Shedidn’tmove,shejuststayedthere,looking…Lookingstraightthroughme.That’swhatfrightenedmebecauseIknewifIthoughtforaminuteI’dknowwhyshedidn’tseeme,andIdidn’twanttoknow.No,Ididn’twanttoknowthat.IwasquitesurethatIdidn’twanttoknowthat.LookingstraightattheplacewhereIwas—notseeingme.Iranthen.Iranlikeacowarduptherestoftheroadtowherethelightswereshininginmyhouse,untilIpulledmyselfoutofthesillypanicthatIwasin.Thiswasmytriumph.I’dgothome.Iwasthehunterhomefromthehills,backtomyhouse,backtothethingsthatI’dwantedmorethananythingintheworld,tothewonderfulwomanwhomIbelongedtobodyandsoul.
Andnowwe’dgetmarriedandwe’dliveintheHouse.We’dgetallwe’dplayedfor!We’dwon—Wonhandsdown!
Thedoorwasn’tlatched.Iwentin,stampingmyfeet,andthroughtheopendoorofthelibrary.AndtherewasGretastandingbythewindowwaitingforme.Shewasglorious.ShewasthemostgloriousandthemostlovelythingI’deverseen.ShewaslikeaBrünnhilde,asuperValkyriewithshininggoldenhair.Shesmeltandlookedandtastedofsex.
Icamestraightintoherarms,asailorhomefromtheseatowherehebelonged.Yes,itwasoneofthemostwonderfulmomentsofmylife.
II
Presentlywecamedowntoearth.Isatdownandsheshovedasmallpileofletterstowardsme.IpickedoutalmostautomaticallyonewithanAmericanstamp.ItwastheairmailletterfromLippincott.Iwonderedwhathe’dputinit,whyhe’dhadtowritemealetter.
“Well,”saidGretawithadeepsatisfiedsigh,“we’vemadeit.”
“V-Dayallright,”Isaid.
Webothlaughed,laughedwildly.Therewaschampagneonthetable.Iopeneditandwedranktoeachother.
“Thisplaceiswonderful,”Isaid,lookinground.“It’smorebeautifulthanIrememberit.Santonix—ButIhaven’ttoldyou.Santonixisdead.”
“Ohdear,”saidGreta,“whatapity.Sohereallywasill?”
“Ofcoursehewasill.Ineverwantedtothinkso.Iwentandsawhimwhenhewasdying.”
Gretagavealittleshiver.
“Ishouldn’tliketodothat.Didhesayanything?”
“Notreally.HesaidIwasadamnedfool—Ioughttohavegonetheotherway.”
“Whatdidhemean—whatway?”
“Idon’tknowwhathemeant,”Isaid.“Isupposehewasdelirious.Didn’tknowwhathewastalkingabout.”
“Well,thishouseisafinemonumenttohismemory,”saidGreta.“Ithinkwe’llsticktoit,don’tyou?”
Istaredather.“Ofcourse.DoyouthinkI’mgoingtoliveanywhereelse?”
“Wecan’tlivehereallthetime,”saidGreta.“Notalltheyearround.Buriedinaholelikethisvillage?”
“Butit’swhereIwanttolive—it’swhereIalwaysmeanttolive.”
“Yes,ofcourse.Butafterall,Mike,we’vegotallthemoneyintheworld.Wecangoanywhere!WecangoallovertheContinent—we’llgoonsafariinAfrica.We’llhaveadventures.We’llgoandlookforthings—excitingpictures.We’llgototheAngkorVat.Don’tyouwanttohaveanadventurouslife?”
“Well,Isupposeso…Butwe’llalwayscomebackhere,won’twe?”
Ihadaqueerfeeling,aqueerfeelingthatsomethinghadgonewrongsomewhere.That’sallI’deverthoughtof.MyHouseandGreta.Ihadn’twantedanythingelse.Butshedid.Isawthat.Shewasjustbeginning.Beginningtowantthings.Beginningtoknowshecouldhavethem.Ihadasuddencruelforeboding.Ibegantoshiver.
“What’sthematterwithyou,Mike—you’reshivering.Haveyoucaughtacoldorsomething?”
“It’snotthat,”Isaid.
“What’shappened,Mike?”
“IsawEllie,”Isaid.
“Whatdoyoumean,yousawEllie?”
“AsIwaswalkinguptheroadIturnedthecornerandthereshewas,standingunderafirtree,lookingat—Imeanlookingtowardsme.”
Gretastared.
“Don’tberidiculous.You—youimaginedthings.”
“Perhapsonedoesimaginethings.ThisisGipsy’sAcreafterall.Elliewasthereallright,looking—lookingquitehappy.Justlikeherselfasthoughshe’d—she’dalwaysbeenthereandwasalwaysgoingtobethere.”
“Mike!”Gretatookholdofmyshoulder.Sheshookme.“Mike,don’tsaythingslikethat.Hadyoubeendrinkingbeforeyougothere?”
“No,IwaitedtillIgotheretoyou.Iknewyou’dhavechampagnewaitingforus.”
“Well,let’sforgetEllieanddrinktoourselves.”
“ItwasEllie,”Isaidobstinately.
“Ofcourseitwasn’tEllie!Itwasjustatrickofthelight—somethinglikethat.”
“ItwasEllie,andshewasstandingthere.Shewaslooking—lookingformeandatme.Butshecouldn’tseeme.Greta,shecouldn’tseeme.”Myvoicerose.“AndIknowwhy.Iknowwhyshecouldn’tseeme.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
ItwasthenthatIwhisperedforthefirsttimeundermybreath:
“Becausethatwasn’tme.Iwasn’tthere.TherewasnothingforhertoseebutEndlessNight.”ThenIshoutedoutinapanic-strickenvoice,“SomeareborntoSweetDelight,andsomeareborntoEndlessNight.Me,Greta,me.
“Doyouremember,Greta,”Isaid,“howshesatonthatsofa?Sheusedtoplaythatsongonherguitar,singingitinhergentlevoice.Youmustremember.
“‘Everynightandeverymorn,’”Isangitundermybreath,“‘Sometomiseryareborn.Everymornandeverynightsomeareborntosweetdelight.’That’sEllie,Greta.Shewasborntosweetdelight.‘Someareborntosweetdelight,someareborntoendlessnight.’That’swhatMumknewaboutme.SheknewIwasborntoendlessnight.Ihadn’tgotthereyet.Butsheknew.AndSantonixknew.HeknewIwasheadingthatway.Butitmightn’thavehappened.Therewasjustamoment,justonemoment,thetimeElliesangthatsong.Icouldhavebeenquitehappy,couldn’tI,really,marriedtoEllie?IcouldhavegoneonbeingmarriedtoEllie.”
“No,youcouldn’t,”saidGreta.“Ineverthoughtyouwerethetypeofpersonwholostyournerve,Mike.”Sheshookmeroughlybytheshoulderagain.“Wakeup.”
Istaredather.
“I’msorry,Greta.WhathaveIbeensaying?”
“IsupposetheygotyoudownoverthereintheStates.Butyoudidallright,didn’tyou?Imean,alltheinvestmentsareallright?”
“Everything’sfixed,”Isaid.“Everything’sfixedforourfuture.Ourglorious,gloriousfuture.”
“Youspeakveryqueerly.I’dliketoknowwhatLippincottsaysinhisletter.”
Ipulledhislettertowardsmeandopenedit.Therewasnothinginsideexceptacuttingfromapaper.Notanewcutting,itwasoldandratherrubbed.Istareddownatit.Itwasapictureofastreet.Irecognizedthestreet,withratheragrandbuildinginthebackground.ItwasastreetinHamburgwithsomepeoplecomingtowardsthephotographer.Twopeopleintheforefrontwalkingarminarm.TheywereGretaandmyself.SoLippincotthadknown.He’dknownallalongthatIalreadyknewGreta.Somebodymusthavesenthimthiscuttingsometime,probablywithnonefariousintention.JustamusedperhapstorecognizeMissGretaAndersenwalkingalongthestreetsofHamburg.HehadknownIknewGretaandIrememberedhowparticularlyhehadaskedmewhetherIhadmetornotmetGretaAndersen.Ihaddeniedit,ofcourse,buthe’dknownIwaslying.Itmusthavebegunhissuspicionofme.
IwassuddenlyafraidofLippincott.Hecouldn’tsuspect,ofcourse,thatI’dkilledEllie.Hesuspectedsomething,though.Perhapshesuspectedeventhat
“Look,”IsaidtoGreta,“heknewwekneweachother.He’sknownitallalong.I’vealwayshatedthatoldfoxandhe’salwayshatedyou,”Isaid.“Whenheknowsthatwe’regoingtomarry,he’llsuspect.”ButthenIknewthatLippincotthadcertainlysuspectedGretaandIweregoingtomarry,hesuspectedthatwekneweachother,hesuspectedperhapsthatwewerelovers.
“Mike,willyoustopbeingapanic-strickenrabbit?Yes,that’swhatIsaid.Apanic-strickenrabbit.Iadmiredyou.I’vealwaysadmiredyou.Butnowyou’refallingtopieces.You’reafraidofeveryone.”
“Don’tsaythattome.”
“Well,it’strue.”
“Endlessnight.”
Icouldn’tthinkofanythingelsetosay.Iwasstillwonderingjustwhatitmeant.Endlessnight.Itmeantblackness.ItmeantthatIwasn’ttheretobeseen.Icouldseethedeadbutthedeadcouldn’tseemealthoughIwasliving.Theycouldn’tseemebecauseIwasn’treallythere.ThemanwholovedElliewasn’treallythere.He’denteredofhisownaccordintoendlessnight.Ibentmyheadlowertowardstheground.
“Endlessnight,”Isaidagain.
“Stopsayingthat,”Gretascreamed.“Standup!Beaman,Mike.Don’tgiveintothisabsurdsuperstitiousfancy.”
“HowcanIhelpit?”Isaid.“I’vesoldmysoultoGipsy’sAcre,haven’tI?Gipsy’sAcre’sneverbeensafe.It’sneverbeensafeforanyone.Itwasn’tsafeforEllieanditisn’tsafeforme.Perhapsitisn’tsafeforyou.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Igotup.Iwenttowardsher.Ilovedher.Yes,Ilovedherstillwithalasttensesexualdesire.Butlove,hate,desire—aren’ttheyallthesame?Threeinoneandoneinthree.IcouldneverhavehatedEllie,butIhatedGreta.Ienjoyedhatingher.Ihatedherwithallmyheartandwithaleapingjoyouswish—Icouldn’twaitforthesafeways,Ididn’twanttowaitforthem,Icamenearertoher.
“Youfilthybitch!”Isaid.“Youhateful,glorious,golden-hairedbitch.You’renotsafe,Greta.You’renotsafefromme.Doyouunderstand?I’velearnttoenjoy—toenjoykillingpeople.IwasexcitedthedaythatIknewElliehadgoneoutwiththathorsetoherdeath.Ienjoyedmyselfallthemorningbecauseofkilling,butI’venevergotnearenoughtokillinguntilnow.Thisisdifferent.Iwantmorethanjustknowingthatsomeone’sgoingtodiebecauseofacapsuletheyswallowedatbreakfasttime.Iwantmorethanpushinganoldwomanoveraquarry.Iwanttousemyhands.”
Gretawasafraidnow.She,whomI’dbelongedtoeversinceImetherthatdayinHamburg,metherandgoneontopretendillness,tothrowupmyjob,tostaytherewithher.Yes,I’dbelongedtoherthen,bodyandsoul.Ididn’tbelongtohernow.Iwasmyself.IwascomingintoanotherkindofkingdomtotheoneI’ddreamedof.
Shewasafraid.IlovedseeingherafraidandIfastenedmyhandsroundherneck.Yes,evennowwhenIamsittingherewritingdownallaboutmyself(which,mindyou,isaveryhappythingtodo)—towriteallaboutyourselfandwhatyou’vebeenthroughandwhatyoufeltandthoughtandhowyoudeceivedeveryone—yes,it’swonderfultodo,yesIwaswonderfullyhappywhenIkilledGreta….
Twenty-four
Thereisn’treallyverymuchtosayafterthat.Imean,thingscametoaclimaxthere.Oneforgets,Isuppose,thattherecan’tbeanythingbettertofollow—thatyou’vehaditall.Ijustsatthereforalongtime.Idon’tknowwhenTheycame.Idon’tknowwhetherTheyallcameatonce…Theycouldn’thavebeenthereallalongbecausetheywouldn’thaveletmekillGreta.InoticedthatGodwastherefirst.Idon’tmeanGod,I’mconfused,ImeanMajorPhillpot.I’dlikedhimalways,he’dbeennicetome.HewasratherlikeGodinsomeways,Ithink.ImeanifGodhadbeenahumanbeingandnotsomethingsupernatural—upintheskysomewhere.Hewasaveryfairman,veryfairandkind.Helookedafterthingsandpeople.Triedtodohisbestforpeople.
Idon’tknowhowmuchhe’dknownaboutme.IrememberedthecuriouswayhelookedatmethatmorninginthesaleroomwhenhesaidthatIwas“fey.”IwonderwhyhethoughtIhappenedtobefeythatday.
ThenwhenweweretherewiththatlittlecrumpledheaponthegroundthatwasEllieinherridinghabit…IwonderifheknewthenorhadsomeideathatI’dhadsomethingtodowithit.
AfterGreta’sdeath,asIsayIjustsatthereinmychair,staringdownatmychampagneglass.Itwasempty.Everythingwasveryempty,veryemptyindeed.Therewasjustonelightthatwe’dswitchedon,GretaandI,butitwasinthecorner.Itdidn’tgivemuchlightandthesun—Ithinkthesunmusthavesetalongtimeago.Ijustsatthereandwonderedwhatwasgoingtohappennextwithasortofdullwonder.
Then,Isuppose,thepeoplebegancoming.Perhapsalotofpeoplecameatonce.Theycameveryquietly,ifso,orelseIwasn’thearingornoticinganybody
PerhapsifSantonixhadbeentherehewouldhavetoldmewhattodo.Santonixwasdead.He’dgoneadifferentwaytomyway,sohewouldn’tbeanyhelp.Nobodyreallywouldbeanyhelp.
AfterabitInoticedDr.Shaw.HewassoquietIhardlyknewhewasthereatfirst.Hewassittingquitenearme,justwaitingforsomething.AfterawhileIthoughthewaswaitingformetospeak.Isaidtohim:
“I’vecomehome.”
Therewereoneortwootherpeoplemovingsomewherebehindhim.Theyseemedtobewaiting,tobewaitingforsomethingthathewasgoingtodo.
“Greta’sdead,”Isaid.“Ikilledher.Iexpectyou’dbettertakethebodyaway,hadn’tyou?”
Somebodysomewhereletoffaflashbulb.Itmusthavebeenapolicephotographerphotographingthebody.Dr.Shawturnedhisheadandsaidsharply:
“Notyet.”
Heturnedhisheadroundbacktomeagain.Ileanedtowardshimandsaid:
“IsawEllietonight.”
“Didyou?Where?”
“Outsidestandingunderafirtree.ItwastheplaceIfirstsawher,youknow.”Ipausedamomentandthensaid,“Shedidn’tseeme…Shecouldn’tseemebecauseIwasn’tthere.”AndafterawhileIsaid,“Thatupsetme.Itupsetmeverymuch.”
Dr.Shawsaid,“Itwasinthecapsule,wasn’tit?Cyanideinthecapsule?That’swhatyougaveElliethatmorning?”
“Itwasforherhayfever,”Isaid,“shealwaystookacapsuleasapreventativeagainstherallergywhenshewentriding.GretaandIfixeduponeortwoofthecapsuleswithwaspstufffromthegardenshedandjoinedthemtogetheragain.WediditupintheFolly.Smart,wasn’tit?”AndIlaughed.Itwasanoddsortoflaugh,Ihearditmyself.Itwasmorelikeaqueerlittlegiggle.Isaid,“You’dexaminedallthethingsshetook,hadn’tyou,whenyoucametoseeherankle?Sleepingpills,theallergycapsules,andtheywereallquiteallright,weren’tthey?Noharminanyofthem.”
“Noharm,”saidDr.Shaw.“Theywerequiteinnocent.”
“Thatwasrathercleverreally,wasn’tit?”Isaid.
“You’vebeenquiteclever,yes,butnotcleverenough.”
“AllthesameIdon’tseehowyoufoundout.”
“Wefoundoutwhentherewasaseconddeath,thedeathyoudidn’tmeantohappen.”
“ClaudiaHardcastle?”
“Yes.ShediedthesamewayasEllie.Shefellfromherhorseinthehuntingfield.Claudiawasahealthygirltoo,butshejustfellfromherhorseanddied.Thetimewasn’tsolongthere,yousee.Theypickedherupalmostatonceandtherewasstillthesmellofcyanidetogoby.Ifshe’dlainintheopenairlikeEllieforacoupleofhours,there’dhavebeennothing—nothingtosmell,nothingtofind.Idon’tseehowClaudiagotthecapsule,though.Unlessyou’dleftonebehindintheFolly.ClaudiausedtogototheFollysometimes.Herfingerprintswerethereandshedroppedalighterthere.”
“Wemusthavebeencareless.Fillingthemwasrathertricky.”
ThenIsaid:
“YoususpectedIhadsomethingtodowithEllie’sdeath,didn’tyou?Allofyou?”Ilookedroundattheshadowyfigures.“Perhapsallofyou.”
“Veryoftenoneknows.ButIwasn’tsurewhetherwe’dbeabletodoanythingaboutit.”
“Yououghttocautionme,”Isaidreprovingly.
“I’mnotapoliceofficer,”saidDr.Shaw.
“Whatareyouthen?”
“I’madoctor.”
“Idon’tneedadoctor,”Isaid.
“Thatremainstobeseen.”
IlookedatPhillpotthen,andIsaid:
“Whatareyoudoing?Comeheretojudgeme,topresideatmytrial?”
“I’monlyaJusticeofthePeace,”hesaid.“I’mhereasafriend.”
“Afriendofmine?”Thatstartledme.
“AfriendofEllie’s,”hesaid.
Ididn’tunderstand.NoneofitmadesensetomebutIcouldn’thelpfeelingratherimportant.Allofthemthere!Policeanddoctor,ShawandPhillpotwhowasabusymaninhisway.Thewholethingwasverycomplicated.Ibegantolosecountofthings.Iwasverytired,yousee.Iusedtogettiredsuddenlyandgotosleep….
Andallthecomingandgoing.Peoplecametoseeme,allsortsofpeople.Lawyers,asolicitor,Ithink,andanotherkindoflawyerwithhimanddoctors.Severaldoctors.TheybotheredmeandIdidn’twanttoanswerthem.
OneofthemkeptaskingmeiftherewasanythingIwanted.Isaidtherewas.IsaidtherewasonlyonethingIwanted.IsaidIwantedaballpenandalotofpaper.Iwanted,yousee,towriteallaboutit,howitallcametohappen.IwantedtotellthemwhatI’dfelt,whatI’dthought.ThemoreIthoughtaboutmyself,themoreinterestingIthoughtitwouldbetoeverybody.BecauseIwasinteresting.IwasareallyinterestingpersonandI’ddoneinterestingthings.
Thedoctors—onedoctor,anyway—seemedtothinkitwasagoodidea.Isaid:
“Youalwaysletpeoplemakeastatement,sowhycan’tIwritemystatementout?Someday,perhaps,everybodycanreadit.”
Theyletmedoit.Icouldn’twriteverylongonend.Iusedtogettired.Somebodyusedaphraselike“diminishedresponsibility”andsomebodyelsedisagreed.Allsortsofthingsyouhear.Sometimestheydon’tthinkyou’reevenlistening.ThenIhadtoappearincourtandIwantedthemtofetchmemybestsuitbecauseIhadtomakeagoodfigurethere.Itseemedtheyhadhaddetectiveswatchingme.Forsometime.Thosenewservants.Ithinkthey’dbeenengagedorputonmytrailbyLippincott.TheyfoundouttoomanythingsaboutmeandGreta.Funny,aftershewasdeadIneverthoughtofGretamuch…AfterI’dkilledhershedidn’tseemtomatteranymore.
ItriedtobringbackthesplendidtriumphantfeelingthatI’dhadwhenIstrangledher.Buteventhatwasgoneaway….
Theybroughtmymothertoseemequitesuddenlyoneday.Thereshewaslookingatmefromthedoorway.Shedidn’tlookasanxiousassheusedtolook.Ithinkallshelookednowwassad.Shehadn’tmuchtosayandnorhadI.Allshesaidwas:
“Itried,Mike.Itriedveryhardtokeepyousafe.Ifailed.IwasalwaysafraidthatIshouldfail.”
Isaid,“Allright,Mum,itwasn’tyourfault.IchosetogothewayIwanted.”
AndIthoughtsuddenly,“That’swhatSantonixsaid.Hewasafraidforme,too.Hehadn’tbeenabletodoanythingeither.Nobodycouldhavedoneanything—exceptperhapsImyself…Idon’tknow.I’mnotsure.ButeverynowandthenIremember—IrememberthatdaywhenElliesaidtome,‘Whatareyouthinkingofwhenyoulookatmelikethat?’andIsaid,‘Likewhat?’Shesaid,‘Asthoughyoulovedme.’IsupposeinawayIdidloveher.Icouldhavelovedher.Shewassosweet,Ellie.Sweetdelight….”
IsupposethetroublewithmewasthatIwantedthingstoomuch,always.Wantedthem,too,theeasyway,thegreedyway.
Thatfirsttime,thatfirstdayIcametoGipsy’sAcreandmetEllie.AsweweregoingdowntheroadagainwemetEsther.Itputitintomyheadthatday,thewarningshegaveEllie,putitinmyheadtopayher.Iknewshewasthekindwhowoulddoanythingformoney.I’dpayher.She’dstartwarningEllieandfrighteningher,makingherfeelthatshewasindanger.IthoughtitmightmakeitseemmorepossiblethenthatElliehaddiedfromshock.Thatfirstday,Iknownow,I’msureofit,Estherwasreallyfrightened.ShewasreallyfrightenedforEllie.Shewarnedher,warnedhertogoaway,havenothingtodowithGipsy’sAcre.Shewaswarningher,ofcourse,tohavenothingtodowithme.Ididn’tunderstandthat.Elliedidn’tunderstandeither.
WasitmeElliewasafraidof?Ithinkitmusthavebeenthoughshedidn’tknowitherself.Sheknewtherewassomethingthreateningher,sheknewtherewasdanger.Santonixknewtheevilinme,too,justlikemymother.Perhapsallthreeofthemknew.Ellieknewbutshedidn’tmind,sheneverminded.It’sodd,veryodd.Iknownow.Wewereveryhappytogether.Yes,veryhappy.IwishI’dknownthenthatwewerehappy…Ihadmychance.Perhapseveryonehasachance.I—turnedmybackonit.
Itseemsodd,doesn’tit,thatGretadoesn’tmatteratall?
Andevenmybeautifulhousedoesn’tmatter.
OnlyEllie…AndElliecanneverfindmeagain—EndlessNight…That’stheendofmystory—
Inmyendisthebeginning—that’swhatpeoplearealwayssaying
Butwhatdoesitmean?
Andjustwheredoesmystorybegin?Imusttryandthink….
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEHERCULEPOIROTMYSTERIES
MatchyourwitswiththefamousBelgiandetective.
TheMysteriousAffairatStylesTheMurderontheLinksPoirotInvestigatesTheMurderofRogerAckroydTheBigFourTheMysteryoftheBlueTrainPerilatEndHouseLordEdgwareDiesMurderontheOrientExpressThreeActTragedyDeathintheCloudsTheA.B.C.MurdersMurderinMesopotamiaCardsontheTableMurderintheMewsandOtherStoriesDumbWitnessDeathontheNileAppointmentwithDeathHerculePoirot’sChristmasSadCypressOne,Two,BuckleMyShoeEvilUndertheSunFiveLittlePigsTheHollowTheLaborsofHerculesTakenattheFloodTheUnderdogandOtherStoriesMrs.McGinty’sDeadAftertheFuneralHickoryDickoryDockDeadMan’sFollyCatAmongthePigeonsTheClocksThirdGirlHallowe’enPartyElephantsCanRememberCurtain:Poirot’sLastCase
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEMISSMARPLEMYSTERIES
JointhelegendaryspinstersleuthfromSt.MaryMeadinsolvingmurdersfarandwide.
TheMurderattheVicarageTheBodyintheLibraryTheMovingFingerAMurderIsAnnouncedTheyDoItwithMirrorsAPocketFullofRye4:50FromPaddingtonTheMirrorCrack’dACaribbeanMysteryAtBertram’sHotelNemesisSleepingMurderMissMarple:TheCompleteShortStoryCollection
THETOMMYANDTUPPENCEMYSTERIES
Jumponboardwiththeentertainingcrime-solvingcouplefromYoungAdventurersLtd.
TheSecretAdversaryPartnersinCrimeNorM?BythePrickingofMyThumbsPosternofFate
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Don’tmissasingleoneofAgathaChristie’sstand-alonenovelsandshort-storycollections.
TheManintheBrownSuitTheSecretofChimneysTheSevenDialsMysteryTheMysteriousMr.QuinTheSittafordMysteryParkerPyneInvestigatesWhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?MurderIsEasyTheRegattaMysteryandOtherStoriesAndThenThereWereNoneTowardsZeroDeathComesastheEndSparklingCyanideTheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStoriesCrookedHouseThreeBlindMiceandOtherStoriesTheyCametoBaghdadDestinationUnknownOrdealbyInnocenceDoubleSinandOtherStoriesThePaleHorseStaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStoriesEndlessNightPassengertoFrankfurtTheGoldenBallandOtherStoriesTheMousetrapandOtherPlaysTheHarlequinTeaSet
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Sheistheauthorofeightycrimenovelsandshort-storycollections,nineteenplays,twomemoirs,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameMaryWestmacott.
ShefirsttriedherhandatdetectivefictionwhileworkinginahospitaldispensaryduringWorldWarI,creatingthenowlegendaryHerculePoirotwithherdebutnovelTheMysteriousAffairatStyles.WithTheMurderintheVicarage,publishedin1930,sheintroducedanotherbelovedsleuth,MissJaneMarple.Additionalseriescharactersincludethehusband-and-wifecrime-fightingteamofTommyandTuppenceBeresford,privateinvestigatorParkerPyne,andScotlandYarddetectivesSuperintendentBattleandInspectorJapp.
ManyofChristie’snovelsandshortstorieswereadaptedintoplays,films,andtelevisionseries.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.Amongherbest-knownfilmadaptationsareMurderontheOrientExpress(1974)andDeathontheNile(1978),withAlbertFinneyandPeterUstinovplayingHerculePoirot,respectively.OnthesmallscreenPoirothasbeenmostmemorablyportrayedbyDavidSuchet,andMissMarplebyJoanHicksonandsubsequentlyGeraldineMcEwanandJuliaMcKenzie.
ChristiewasfirstmarriedtoArchibaldChristieandthentoarchaeologistSirMaxMallowan,whomsheaccompaniedonexpeditionstocountriesthatwouldalsoserveasthesettingsformanyofhernovels.In1971sheachievedoneofBritain’shighesthonorswhenshewasmadeaDameoftheBritishEmpire.Shediedin1976attheageofeighty-five.Heronehundredandtwentiethanniversarywascelebratedaroundtheworldin2010.
www.AgathaChristie.com
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THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSet
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMewsandOtherStories
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderdogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’d
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStoryCollection
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
AGATHACHRISTIE?ENDLESSNIGHT?.Copyright?2011AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.EndlessNightwasfirstpublishedin1967.
ENDLESSNIGHT.Copyright?1968.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinse-books.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataisavailableuponrequest.
ISBN978-0-06-207351-8
EPubEdition?MAY2011ISBN:978-0-06-200664-6
1112131415
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TableofContents
Cover
TitlePage
Dedication
Epigraph
BookOne
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
BookTwo
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
BookThree
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-one
ChapterTwenty-two
ChapterTwenty-three
ChapterTwenty-four
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Copyright
AboutthePublisher