(3/20) Storm in the Village Read Online Free PDF Page A

first wife just doesn't come into the picture now, poor soul!'
    'I do see that really,' admitted Isobel, 'but I'm here alone such a lot that I think too much and imagine things. You see, I've always had people round me—at school, at college, and then when I taught with you at Fairacre. The day seems quite long with George over at the school, and although I'm terribly busy with Malcolm and the house and meals—somehow one's mind goes rattling on, and I get these idiotic ideas.'
    It was the first time that I had realised the possibility of young wives being lonely, but I saw now, in a flash, that that very simple circumstance was, possibly, the reason for a number of troubles in early married life. Isobel went on to tell me more.
    'And then, of course, I worry far too much about our finances. When I was earning, I bought anything I took a fancy to—within reason—and if I were short at the end of the month, well, that was my own affair and I took the consequences. But now I feel that it is George's money, and that I must use it to the best advantage for the three of us. It really is shattering at times! And there are so many things I see when I go to Caxley—pretty things, you know, like flowers and china and blouses and bracelets—that I would have bought for myself before, and had no end of a thrill from—but now, I feel it's extravagant and go without, and it is distinctly depressing!'
    I was becoming more enlightened, each minute, about the terrific adjustments that a young female of independent means has to make when she throws aside her comfortable job and takes on the manifold duties of a wife and mother.
    'And another thing,' continued Mrs Annett, now in full spate, 'I enjoyed teaching and knew that I could do it well. I felt sure of myself—but now, I can't tell whether I'm making a good job of housekeeping or not. There's no one to tell me if I am, and, I must say, I feel full of doubts.'
    'Don't forget,' I said, 'that you've suddenly taken on about six skilled jobs and have got to learn them all at the same time. Catering, cooking, looking after Malcolm, keeping George happy, laundry work, entertaining, and all the rest of housekeeping will take months and years to learn. I think you're doing jolly well. The only thing is—I feel you do it all for twenty-four hours out of the twenty-four, seven days a week, and have no time to stand away from the job and see how nicely it's getting along.'
    'I suppose that's it, really. It's impossible for us both to go out together unless we get a reliable sitter-in, and Malcolm's a bit of a handful at the moment, so we don't do it often. But I do miss the orchestra!'
    'Then I'll come definitely every orchestra night,' I promised. 'I should have thought of it before. It's the least a godmother can do.'
    Mrs Annett's face lit up.
    'Do you mean it? Won't it be an awful tie to you? I'd just love to go, but I feel it's too much to ask anyone.' She broke off suddenly.
    'Listen!'
    We sat rigidly, mouths open. I could hear nothing but the gentle gurgling of the rain down an outside guttering, and an occasional patter on the pane.
    'He's stopped jumping!' said Malcolm's mother, leaping to her feet. 'Let's go and cover him up.'
    Collapsed, face downward, at the end of his cot lay Malcolm Annett. With bated breath we turned back his blankets, scooped the warm bundle to the right end, and covered him up all over again. This time he lay still, and we tip-toed downstairs again, leaving him to his slumbers.

    When I returned home, I found that a note had been put through the door. It said—
    'FAIRACRE FLOWER SHOW
    A committee meeting of the above will be held in the school at 7 o'clock on Friday next, March 30th.
    Your attendance is requested.'
    'Well, Tibby,' I said to the cat, who was curling round my legs luxuriously, 'that'll be a nice comfortable evening, cramped up in small wooden desks.'
    But, as it happened, Fate decided otherwise.
    The rain which had been so torrential on the