Stormspell Read Online Free PDF

importunate.'
    Ruth ladled stew on to plates. 'Celeste is— friendly, that's all.' She defended the black woman reluctantly, but her father was not appeased.
    'She's too friendly.' he declared, taking the plate Ruth offered him. 'And I don't want her influence rubbing off on you.'
    'Oh. Daddy . . .'
    Ruth concentrated on the chowder, but its appetising flavour was like sawdust in her mouth. Her appetite was practically non-existent, and she started when her father suddenly covered one of her hands with his.
    'Listen to me. Ruth.' he urged gently. 'I know you still think and feel like a child, but you're growing up. In a little while you'll be a young woman.' He waited until she looked up at him, and then went on: 'And while Mr Howard's here. I think you ought to pay a little more attention to your appearance.'
    'My appearance?' Ruth's eyes widened.
    'Yes.' Then, seeing the confusion in her face. Professor Jason hastened on: 'Oh, don't misunderstand me, my dear. I don't want you to behave any differently from the way you have always done. It's just that—well, those shorts you're wearing, for example. They're a little skimpy, don't you think?'
    'They're too small.' Ruth conceded, her embarrassment at this discussion increasing as she contemplated what Dominic Howard's reactions might have been, and her father seized on the admission.
    'That's what I mean.' he exclaimed, squeezing her fingers. 'I think a nice frock—or perhaps a skirt and blouse—would look infinitely more suitable, don't you?' He smiled. 'I suggest you get changed immediately after lunch.'
    'But, Daddy—'
    'Now don't be tiresome. Ruth,' Professor Jason interrupted her wearily. 'Just do as I ask. and don't argue. As soon as you're ready, let me know.'
    'You're not eating any more?'
    Ruth looked up at him anxiously as he pushed back his chair and got to his feet, and Professor Jason shook his head.
    'I'll sit on the verandah for a while.' he said, finding it an obvious effort to open the door, and Ruth watched him leave with a helpless sense of guilt.
    Her own appetite had disappeared completely, and when Celeste returned to clear the table, she looked with disapproval at the scarcely-touched plates.
    'Is something wrong?' she demanded, clattering them on to a tray. 'You don't like my clam chowder any more?'
    The chowder was delicious.' Ruth assured her unhappily. 'We just weren't—hungry, that's all.'
    Well. I hope Mr Howard isn't so fussy.' retorted Celeste, impaling her with a malevolent stare.
    'Seems to me like he's old enough to think for himself.'
    'Oh, Celeste…'
    Ruth had no wish to get embroiled in an argument with the black woman, and with an awkward pat on the woman's shoulder, she made good her escape.
    It was only as she started along the hall to get changed that she remembered Dominic Howard was occupying her room. Her father had obviously overlooked that fact. too. and she turned reluctantly back towards the verandah, realising he would have to sanction her remaining as she was.
    But when she emerged into the dappled shade of the verandah, she found her father was asleep. His efforts that morning had evidently exhausted him. and she was half relieved that nature had taken its natural course. Rest was what he needed, and unwilling to disturb him. she turned back into the house.
    In the hall, she hesitated. She could hear Celeste clattering about in the kitchen, expunging her frustration in her own way. and she knew if she joined her she would be drawn into the conflict. She could return to her studies, of course, but the prospect of translating Latin cases did not appeal to her, and besides, the little room was stuffy in the afternoons.
    She could sit in the living room, of course, or go and help the boys from the village who were clearing the beach. She could even offer her services to Tomas. who tended the vegetable garden for them and was presently at work restoring the ravages of the storm, but none of these alternatives appealed to her.