Encounters: stories Read Online Free PDF Page B

really
    It puts us in such an impossible position. Surely you must see."
    "I see quite well,"she assured him."You and she both breathe and have your being in an atmosphere of conspiracy; it's your natural element, of course. To force you into the straighter, broader courses of the uncomplex would be as cruel as to upset a bowl with gold-fish in it and leave them gasping on the tablecloth. Ooh!"She sat back on her heels and ruefully beheld her grimy fingers.

    Maurice tried his hardest to endure her. She heard him breathing heavily.
    "It's really quite unnecessary to have a fire,"she soliloquised."But it makes a point in a room, I always think. Keeps one in countenance. Humanises things a bit. Makes a centre point for"
    She became incoherent. Maurice's irritation audibly increased. They were both conscious of the oppression of the darkening, rain-loud room.
    "You're forcing our hands rather,"said Maurice.
    "Forcing you into the banality of meeting each other sanely and normally in my drawing-room, with no necessity to converse in allusions, insinuations, and doubles-entendres? With me blessing you both and beaming sympathetically on you from afar? Bullying you into that?...
    ''I'm sorry!"she flashed round on him, impenitently.
    "You don't understand,"he winced, and looked round him for his hat."I think it would be best for me to go."
    "I suppose I mustn't keep you,"she

    conceded widi polite reluctance."But I think you really ought to see Veronica. She has—she will have something of particular importance to say to you. I shall go, of course."
    "Oh, don't!"
    "But surely?"
    "There's nothing we can keep from you. And it makes it easier for both of us—as things are."
    "But do you never want to be alone with her?"
    Maurice considered.
    "I don't believe,"said Penelope, swiftly,"that you two have ever been alone together for a second since your—acquaintanceship —began."
    "No,"said Maurice, sombrely."There have always been outsiders."
    "Audiences,"murmured Penelope.
    "I beg your pardon?"
    "Oh, nothing. Well, you'll be alone this afternoon. I'm going out,"she said with firmness.
    "But don't you understand?"
    "Oh, I understand the strain will be

    colossal—would have been. But thereVe been developments—suddenly. Veronica'll have a great deal to tell you. Has it never occurred to you she might get free after all? There'll be heaps to say,"she said, significantly.
    "For heaven's sake!"He threw up
    his hands again and paced the room in agitation, stumbling over stools.
    "That was why I pulled up just now,"she continued."Seemed hard, perhaps, apathetic and unsympathetic when you were talking all that about awfulness, refined irony, frustration, and things. I was thinking how soon you'd—if you only knew—— And then you told me I was losing my imagination."
    "For which I have already begged your pardon,"said Maurice, patiently.
    Penelope rose from the hearthrug and threw herself on to the Chesterfield. Maurice turned to her with a goaded expression, and she regarded him with shining eyes. Then the door opened with a jerk, and Veronica entered stiffly, with a rustle of agitation.
    Maurice drew back into the shadow, and

    Veronica hesitated for a moment in the centre of the room, then groped out her hands towards Penelope, as though she could see little in this sudden gloom.
    "Tell me,"she cried, without preliminaries,"you, you heard from Victor?"
    Penelope, who had risen, glanced across at Maurice. He took his cue.
    "Veronica!"he quavered huskily.
    Veronica's shoulders twitched. She turned on him in the dusk like a wild thing, with an expression that was almost baleful.
    "You!"she said.
    "Er—yes,"admitted Maurice."I'd simply no idea that I should... I just came in. By chance, you know."
    "It's just as well, isn't it?"interposed Penelope."We've—you've simply got to talk things out, Veronica; tell him. Show him Victor's letter."She moved towards the door.
    "Don't go!"shrieked Veronica."You've got to explain to him. I