Mavis Belfrage Read Online Free PDF Page A

because though I’m for the Labour Party I’m definitely moderate. Do you remember the arguments we had about that Colin?”
    â€œYes,” said Colin drily.
    â€œThen he went to university – Cambridge, no less. What did Cambridge do to you, Colin?
    â€œEducated me.”
    â€œLook at him now! He won’t voice an opinion. Doesn’targue. Refuses to vote. And spends his spare time playing with toy bricks.”
    â€œI don’t understand why people in this country think their opinions matter,” murmured Colin, working on his city walls. “The Labour Party refuse to fight the stock exchange. The Tories refuse to fight the unions. The radical demonstrators link arms with the police and sing
Auld Lang Syne
. I refuse to feel angry about this. Like most of us I would hate a civil war with starvation, looting and machine-guns fired out of bedroom windows. Our political system is a means of using up energy which might change things. Political opinions are hobbies, like mine –” (he glanced with satisfaction at the towers of Glonda) “– exactly like mine.”
    â€œO!” cried Mavis flinging her book down, “I wish I could shake and shake you till you came
alive
!”
    Colin looked at her with an obstinate little smile. Bill said plaintively, “Don’t talk like that Mavis, it hurts my head. Colin, precisely when can I attack Glonda?”
    â€œWhen it’s complete.”
    â€œBut you keep changing bits! I don’t mind preparing an attack if I’ve a date to work toward but you won’t give me one.”
    â€œRight. The fifth of November. Our war will start on the fifth of November. That gives us plenty of time.”
    â€œDon’t depend on it Bill,” said Mavis, “we may not be here by then. And now it’s your bedtime.”
    She went on reading. The three males stared at her, Bill sullen, Gordon quizzical, Colin horrified. Gordon stood up saying, “How about hot chocolate and toast before you go Bill?
I’m
having some.”
    â€œAll right,” said Bill in a subdued voice. He gatheredhis book and tracings, put them on the tea table and asked if he could leave them there till tomorrow. Neither Mavis nor Colin answered so he followed Gordon to the kitchen.
    Colin sat on the sofa facing Mavis who looked brightly back. He said, “What’s wrong?”
    â€œI’m leaving, Colin. I came to live in your house – not your father’s.”
    â€œTwo thirds of it is mine!”
    â€œOnly legally.”
    â€œWe … must talk about this later.”
    â€œTalk all you like. It won’t change me.”
9
    At seven o’clock next morning Gordon, dressed for work, was boiling an egg in the kitchen when Colin, unshaven and morose, entered wearing dressing-gown and slippers. Gordon said, “Get yourself a mug – there’s tea in the pot,” and put another egg into simmering water.
    â€œI’m tired,” said Colin, yawning and pouring.
    â€œI’m not surprised. The noise kept
me
awake till two thirty.”
    â€œWhat did you hear?”
    â€œNothing distinct – just a man and woman arguing.”
    â€œWe’ll have to leave, Dad,” said Colin, sighing.
    â€œWho’s we?”
    â€œMavis, me and Bill. You see –”
    â€œDon’t explain!” said Gordon quickly. “Nothing needsexplaining. But
you’re
not leaving. I can’t pay for this house on my own you know.”
    â€œI’d still pay my share of it –”
    â€œWhat! And the rent for somewhere else? And support a woman like Mavis?”
    â€œI’ll manage it,” said Colin with obstinate calm. “Mavis has her Social Security allowance.”
    â€œShe won’t have it if the pair of you share the same lodgings. And how will I feel living alone in a house this size? All I need is a room and kitchen near the shop, Colin, somewhere with a