Beggars and Choosers Read Online Free PDF Page A

sure that Sali changes trains safely without losing her luggage.’
    â€˜I most certainly will, sir.’
    The coachman appeared with a porter. Sali’s trunk, hatbox and bags were loaded on to a trolley, and she, Mansel and her father were swept up with the crowds on to the platform. The train was in and a few minutes later she found herself leaning out of the window waving her handkerchief to her father who grew into a smaller, more solitary figure as the train drew out of the station.
    â€˜This business in Cardiff?’ Sali asked. Mansel had bribed the guard to keep their carriage clear of other passengers.
    â€˜Is very urgent.’ He sat next to her on the bench seat.
    â€˜How urgent?’
    â€˜Urgent enough to make me want to hold your hand all the way to Cardiff. But your father warned me that we have to part like cousins. We don’t want to make any of your fellow students on the Swansea platform suspicious.’
    â€˜My fellow students won’t be, but it might be a little difficult with certain other people,’ Sali murmured, as the door to the corridor opened. ‘Harriet, how nice of you to join us.’
    â€˜Yes, how nice.’ Mansel gritted his teeth and forced a smile.
    â€˜The stupid guard told me that this carriage was reserved. It’s quite a coincidence seeing you both on the train. You going to Swansea as well, Mansel?’ Harriet took the seat opposite them.
    â€˜Cardiff on business. I timed the train so I could help Sali with her luggage.’
    â€˜How considerate. But then, if you are only going to Cardiff, what time train are you getting back?’
    â€˜The ten o’clock.’ He beamed as her face fell. ‘I have a gentleman-only dinner in my club.’
    â€˜I was hoping to have another chat with you about my Bible Circle.’
    â€˜I am afraid it will have to wait until some other time, Miss Hopkins. I promised to help Miss Watkin Jones revise her knowledge of mathematics for her forthcoming examinations.’ He turned to Sali. ‘Now, what can you tell me about Pythagoras?’

Chapter Two
    â€˜Please, Mari, I need to know how Father died.’ Sali turned her dry-eyed, anguished face to the housekeeper. ‘All Aunt Edyth could tell me when she brought me home from college was that he had been killed in an accident in the pit. Mother bursts into tears or faints every time I go into her room. Geraint, Gareth and Llinos don’t know any more than I do and Uncle Morgan tells me to be quiet every time I try to ask him about it.’
    Afraid to look her young mistress in the eye lest her own grief surface yet again, Mari brushed an imaginary speck of dust from the back of one of the oak-framed, upholstered, dining chairs. ‘Mr James told Tomas it was down to one of the new compressed-air, disc coal-cutters the master had brought in.’ She dabbed a tear from her eye with a sodden black cotton handkerchief, before returning it to her skirt pocket. ‘Not that any of the miners are blaming your father, mind; there aren’t many pit owners concerned enough about the men to put in machines to lessen their load.’
    â€˜Did the engine break down?’ Sali pressed.
    â€˜Mr James said the engineer thought a bearing failed, sparking the engine and setting off a pocket of firedamp. A new seam cut only last week was destroyed in the explosion and nine miners, four of them firemen, were taken with the master. When Mr James called yesterday –’
    â€˜Mr James called?’ Sali broke in urgently.
    â€˜Mr James and Mrs James have been to the house every day, along with most of the town.’
    â€˜Then why haven’t we seen them?’ Sali questioned in bewilderment.
    â€˜Your Uncle Morgan gave Tomas, Robert and the parlour maids, strict instructions not to admit anyone, only to take in visiting cards, condolence letters and flowers. They were told to say that the family were too upset to