The Lockwood Concern Read Online Free PDF Page A

tell any of us that she didn't like the house." "You and your brother?" "Children were children, and they stayed children till they were married. No matter what my father did or said, he was right, according to my mother, and there was to be no discussion or any criticism of anything the parents I did. And I mean no criticism, even unspoken criticism. If we didn't like something they did, and were caught making a face, we'd get a good hard slap." He rubbed his newly shaved chin. "Those fat little hands could slap." "I'm really glad we're past the age for having children. Or at least that I am." "So am I. There'll be small ones around at Christmas for years to come. And any other time we want them, but only when we want them." "Yes. That isn't exactly what I meant, but-" "Oh, I know what you meant, Geraldine. You wouldn't want the task of bringing up a young baby." "That's it. The responsibility." "I knew that. Ah." The door was opened, simultaneously with a knock. "Peter." "Good morning, sir. Maam. Heard you was stopping with us, sir. Pleasure to see you again, sir, Mr. Lockwood. How can I be of service to you, sir?" "Good morning, Peter. See that blue box with the yellow edge? Half a dozen brand-new shirts in there," said George Lockwood. "That have to go into the laundry before Mr. Lockwood wears them. Yes sir." "I know it's past the time." "Oh, I think a special effort can be made, sir. Washed and ironed, no starch, and returned to this 'ere room by no later than eight o'clock this evening, sir? Unless Mr. Lockwood has some evening shirts amongst them? There I'd be inclined to be pessimistic, sir. Sorry." "No evening shirts, Peter." "In that case, I just take the box down meself and as one might say, exert a bit of pressure, sir. Very good sir, thank you sir. Ma'am." "Thank you, Peter." "Thank you, sir." The valet left. "Thank you zah," said Geraldine. "Zah. He sounds as though he were saying czar." "I think they learn that in the British army. Well, now, my dear, what shall we do this evening? Would you like to see a show?" "You're not taking me out to lunch?" "I thought you might have plans of your own, so I think Id like to spend the day downtown." "I'm having lunch at Henri's. Mary Chadburn, if you'd like to join us." "God will bless you for being nice to Mary Chadburn, but I don't want to take anything away from your kind act. You have lunch with Mary, and there'll be a gold star in the Good Book for you." "I like Mary." "Everybody likes Mary. What could anybody possibly have against her? I'll be at Lockwood & Company most of the day." He kissed her cheek. "I'm glad you ordered the vases. They sound just right," he said, and folded his topcoat over his arm and saluted her with his hat, and left. George Lockwood's private office at Lockwood & Company was the smallest in the suite, but it was never used even temporarily by anyone else, and it was always kept ready for just such sudden, unexpected visits as that which George now paid. He went directly to his office, speaking to some of the staff on the way. As was customary, Miss Strademyer knocked on his door and asked if she could take any dictation. "Not this minute, Miss Strademyer. Maybe later. Is my brother in?" "Yes sir." "Well, I'll just go over my mail and then after I've seen my brother I may have some letters for you. After lunch, most likely. You're looking very well, for a girl that just had her appendix out." "Oh, that was in August. I've almost forgotten about it." "You should have had it done last spring, not during your vacation." "I didn't want to have it done at all, and put it off to the last minute. Even then I thought it was swimming cramps." "I told you last spring." "Oh, you were right, no doubt about it." "How is everything else with you?" "Meaning?" "Your life away from the office." "I have somebody." "Good. Who? Are you going to marry him?" "I don't know. I haven't made up my mind. I couldn't stay here if I did." "Why couldn't you?" "Obvious