Something Light Read Online Free PDF

reputation, but I’m through. I’ve had enough of being a good sort. I’ve had enough of being man’s best friend. From now on, they’ll have to take Airedales. I’m sorry to disappoint you, and thanks for my tea.”
    She brushed the cake crumbs from her fingers and rose. (She really felt adequately fed until next morning.) She powdered her nose standing, and moved definitely towards the door.
    â€œLouisa!” cried F. Pennon desperately.
    She knew better than to turn. He would be looking too much like an abandoned Sealyham. How infinitely preferable if he were!—then she could simply take him home.
    â€œIt’s not only on my account,” implored F. Pennon desperately, “it’s on Enid’s. I know she’s a married woman—”
    Louisa paused.
    It suddenly struck her how extraordinarily few married women she knew. In fact she knew very few women at all, and those mostly of the Pammy type—without a wedding ring among them. Freddy’s Enid had not only married once, but within the first months of widowhood was about to marry again. Louisa’s own aim now being matrimony—if not with F. Pennon, then with another—it struck her that from a woman so eminently nubile she might well pick up a few tips.
    â€œOh, okay,” said Louisa. “When do we go?”
    6
    â€œYou know what?” said the milkman. “That chap Ibsen’s dead.”
    â€œI know,” said Louisa.
    â€œI didn’t; my Auntie told me,” said the milkman. “Also while never chaining herself to railings she did once black a gentleman’s eye.”
    â€œThose were the days,” said Louisa.
    The milkman considered her with more attention.
    â€œSince you mentioned it yourself, you do look a bit jaded. What about another spot of cream?”
    â€œNo, thanks,” said Louisa. “In fact, you needn’t leave anything for a week.”
    â€œSaving money or going on holiday?” inquired the milkman.
    â€œNeither,” said Louisa. “Summer school.”
    â€”She hesitated. Whether as a buffer between old Freddy and his beloved, or as a picker of that beloved’s brains, she was pretty well assured of a week’s good grub. She was still resolved to give Number Ten the go-by; she simply recognized that the idea of his peering fruitlessly outside the door each morning might spoil her appetite; and on second thoughts ordered yoghurt as usual.

Chapter Four
    1
    â€œAnd this,” said F. Pennon, “is Miss Datchett, who’s staying with us for a bit.”
    Was he flushed with triumph, or merely feeling the heat? The afternoon was so warm, Louisa couldn’t decide—and indeed spared him but the briefest glance, so eager was she to observe the woman he’d worshiped for twenty years, and whom he’d just been to fetch from Bournemouth West station.
    Enid Anstruther was small, slight, blonde and faded. Her age was more difficult to be precise about: on the facts, Louisa had worked her out at about forty, at which age a woman today is still young, and Mrs. Anstruther in manner at least was positively girlish; but this very girlishness had the effect of making her seem older. As she jumped out of the car, and ran up the loggia steps, Louisa, observing these pretty, girlish movements, had to tell herself not to be a cat.
    â€œBut how nice!” cried Mrs. Anstruther warmly.
    â€”At least it was big of her, or at any rate she was a very quick thinker. A small gloved hand flew out and patted at Louisa’s in a kind little gesture of acceptance. The latter, always dispassionate about her own appearance, was uncontrollably reminded of a recent First Prize Amateur Snap; of a robin making friends with a lurcher.
    â€œName’s Louisa.—You’ll get on together,” promised F. Pennon optimistically. “Now then: Enid’s had a long journey, she’ll want to lie down.”
    Mrs. Anstruther