(9/20) Tyler's Row Read Online Free PDF

direction. Something to do with the unification of Germany and Italy, if he remembered correctly, had brought him to that pretty pass, and now he came to think of it, he was still not much wiser on the subject, detention or no detention. But he had always felt a healthy respect for old Hale, and even now a slight tremor affected his knees at the thought of past bondage.
    'I've come about this property at Fairacre,' said Peter. He looked over his spectacles at the young man. David, Paul, John? What the deuce was the boy called?
    'Can't remember your name, I'm afraid,' he added.
    'Philip, sir.'
    'Ah, yes, Philip. Second fifteen full back.'
    'Well, no, sir. That was my brother Jack. I wasn't much good.'
    'Forget my own name next,' replied Peter cheerfully.

    'Well, I'm thinking of going ahead with Tyler's Row. Better have a survey. Sooner the better.'
    'Yes, indeed,' said Philip, with more confidence. 'You will certainly need to get moving, sir. Another gentleman is being rather pressing.'
    Peter Hale looked sternly across his spectacles.
    'Is this the truth?'
    Philip was instantly transformed into a wrong-doing first-former, despite his six feet in height.
    'Yes, sir. Honestly, sir,' he heard himself saying nervously. Heavens above, his voice seemed to have become treble again! He took a grip upon himself, and cleared his throat. Dammit, this was his office, wasn't it?
    'A gentleman already resident in Fairacre—'
    '"Living in" or "residing", if you must,' corrected Peter automatically. Philip, clinging to his precarious confidence, ignored the interruption.
    ' He is very interested in the property and has already had it surveyed. I think it's quite likely he will make us an offer. Probably in advance of the selling price.'
    'More fool him,' said Peter flatly. 'I'm not bribing anybody.'
    'Of course not, sir. But I should advise you to get a survey done immediately. I could go out myself.'
    'Do that then, Philip, will you?'
    'I'll just jot down one or two reminders.'
    He pulled a sheet of paper towards him and began to scribble diligently with his left hand.
    Terrible writing that boy always did, remembered Peter, watching his old pupil at work. Felt sure he'd be a doctor with that scrawl, but not enough brains really, nice fellow though he was. He looked at the bent head, the beautifully clean white parting, the well-shaven cheeks, and felt a warm glow. Should be able to trust him—solid chap, nice family, respectable firm. Why, young Philip might bring Tyler's Row to him eventually! He was smiling when the young man looked up.
    'You'd be happy there, sir,' he said, stating a fact, not asking a question.
    'I think we should,' agreed Peter.
    He rose and went to the door, his gaze on the linoleum.
    'Who chose this?' he asked, pointing a toe.
    'I did, sir,' said Philip proudly.
    'Pity,' said Peter, in farewell.

4. Mrs Pringle Smells Trouble
    WHO was to be the new owner of Tyler's Row? This was the question which exercised the minds of his future neighbours in Fairacre.
    Henry Mawne had been the favourite for so long that it was something of a shock to learn that he had retired from the race, and that an outsider was the winner.
    The news came to me from Mrs Pringle during the summer holidays. She spends one morning each week 'putting me to rights', as she says, and although her presence is more of a penance than a pleasure, the results of her hard work are excellent. I try to do any of my simple entertaining on Wednesday evenings. It is the one day in the week when the place really shines.
    'That sitting-room of yours wants bottoming,' said Mrs Pringle dourly. This, construed, meant that a thorough spring-cleaning was considered necessary.
    'Looks all right to me,' I replied, quailing inwardly. Mrs Pringle, bottoming anything, is one of the major forces of nature, something between a volcano and a hurricane, and certainly frightening and uncomfortable.
    'Seems to me you just lays a duster round when you feel like it. That side