Better to Eat You Read Online Free PDF Page B

bluntly, “have you thought of psychiatric help?”
    â€œGrandfather is very much opposed to that sort of thing,” said Malvina primly as her eyes wandered to a flower. “But I wonder …”
    David was feeling rather smug and proud of himself for having put her in a position where she would have to tell him the family version, when she suddenly gave him a rather roguish glance. “… whether you have a romantic interest in my little cousin?” she said.
    It was his turn to look at the flowers. Some instinct told him to be careful. He thought he wouldn’t say yes and he wouldn’t say no. He glanced at Malvina sidewise. “I am a man who’s got a book to write, Miss Lupino. Sarah is my student and I respect her intelligence. I feel sure she would do the work well and enjoy it. And I am not frightened. May I speak to your grandfather?”
    Malvina said, a little breathlessly, “I really don’t know what to say. I think I must …” She rose. David rose.
    Somebody clanged the iron gate and Dr. Perrott, coming up the steps, rose into the garden.
    â€œOh,” he said.
    â€œOh Edgar, there you are. You’ve met, I see. Will you be nice to Professor Wakeley?” said Malvina prettily. “I am going to see if possibly Grandfather will receive him. He’s come about Sarah.” The turn of her head, the flutter of her eye all hinted a warning, in spite of her surface grace and bland ease.
    Edgar Perrott nodded rather gloomily. He watched her go. He took her chair. “Where is Sarah?” he asked almost suspiciously.
    â€œOn the beach, Miss Lupino tells me.”
    â€œBeen here long?” The doctor’s eyes had lightning in them.
    â€œNot long,” said David, wondering.
    Malvina went through the glass door and into the great center room. She crossed its expanse of quiet carpeting toward the sea side. She knocked lightly on a door at the right and opened it and went through.
    This smallish room was a hexagon. It was half glass. The view was astonishing. From this lair, this lookout, this bubble on the cliff’s brow, a vast world of water and land lay visible and, through the glare-proof tinted glass, uncannily clear. The old man overlooked it all.
    The old man lay in an easy chair. Music was playing. He was sipping and nibbling. His face was craggy and sly and quite contented. “Who came in the red car, Malvina? Eh?” he said, licking his finger.
    â€œDavid Wakeley.” She spoke bluntly. “He wants to talk about Sarah. He’s very persistent, Grandfather.”
    â€œDear me,” said the old man. “Edgar’s device, the accident then, had no effect at all?”
    â€œHe makes nothing of that,” she said, her breast heaving. “He is not frightened.”
    â€œDo you mean he simply came here?”
    â€œI couldn’t refuse him at the gate. He would only have got round the rock at low tide and found Sarah on the beach. He wants to know if we have thought of a psychiatrist. Will you see him? What shall I say?” She walked up and down on the rug.
    The old man turned his lips in. “Now we knew it would happen one day, Malvina,” he soothed. “It merely means that something must be done to solve the problem of Sarah. You and Edgar have been hesitant and squeamish. I have always thought half-measures were weak measures. I am tired of them, Malvina.”
    â€œI’m tired, too,” she said. “Tired of Edgar’s mooning. Tired of watching Sarah all the time. Tired of worrying. I’d like to get away.”
    â€œIt’s been long enough,” the old man said, “since the day she came to the gate, looking so ill and wretched that our silly old Mrs. Nepper, that we had then, let her in. Since that moment I walked toward her and thought I was reprieved.” The old hands plucked at his clothing.
    â€œWhat’s to be done?” Malvina