The Nutmeg Tree Read Online Free PDF Page A

indeed), “I shan’t come tonight. I told you before, I’m going out to my daughter.”
    â€œAll right,” said Fred regretfully.
    He understood. He was a perfect gentleman. Removing his arm from her waist he gave her no more support (hand under elbow) than the motion of the boat absolutely required. So, decorously, they went up on deck to the chaperonage of Ma.
    Julia was sad. She felt that if only things had been different, they could have had a really lovely time.
    4
    In the Paris train, which was three-parts empty, the Genocchios, with Julia, occupied two adjoining compartments. In the first lay Ma, who after being supported through the Customs had immediately collapsed again, and who was still being ministered to by Joe, Jack, Bob, and Willie; the other, Julia and Fred had all to themselves. This situation was less dangerous than it seemed, for every now and then one of the lesser Genocchios would come in to report progress, or to smoke a cigarette; but even in their solitary interludes Fred’s behaviour was now impeccable. He talked quietly and seriously, chiefly about money, and displayed a most becoming family pride. The Genocchios, he would have Julia know, were no mere buskers; Italian by origin, they had come over, if not exactly with the Conqueror, at any rate in the reign of Charles II. They had play-bills to prove it. There was a play-bill bearing their name in the Victoria and Albert Museum. He, Fred, as a nipper, had been taken to see it by his father and uncle—both notable artists; and it was his own grandfather who had actually presented it. There wasn’t another family in the profession—except, of course, the great Lupinos—who could show a record to touch it. Julia listened entranced, nor did her interest wane when from the past Fred worked up to the present. He spoke of money in the Bank, of a freehold house at Maida Vale; for in addition to being artists, the Genocchios were also shrewd. Not one, in two hundred years, had been buried by the parish. They had had their ups and downs, of course (and what family hadn’t? Look at the Bourbons!); but for the last century neither a roof of their own, nor money in the Bank, had ever been lacking.…
    â€œYou must make grand husbands,” said Julia sincerely.
    â€œWe do. And when we marry, we stick. No chopping and changing. Why, Ma wouldn’t be with us now, if Dad hadn’t died six months ago. She couldn’t seem to get over it, and then she took a fancy to come along, and we thought it might brighten her up. But it was a mistake,” finished Fred gloomily. “Her stomach was always a bit weak.”
    He relapsed into silence, evidently preoccupied with professional troubles. Julia, to distract him, enquired after the rising generation; but his gloom only deepened.
    â€œBob and Willie are married all right, but they’ve only a couple of girls between them. Nice bright little kids too, but apart from the name you don’t often get a woman acrobat first-class. They’re learning dancing.” Fred sighed. “I ought to marry myself. But there was a girl, six years ago …”
    Julia pressed his hand. She couldn’t help it, and he took it as meant.
    â€œShe fell into the net all right, but something twisted. I think she wished there hadn’t been a net. Anyway, she died three months after, and for a bit I hated the whole business.”
    â€œI wonder you didn’t chuck it,” said Julia.
    â€œChuck it?” He looked at her in surprise. “Of course I didn’t chuck it. But it upset me, if you know what I mean. I don’t say I’ve never looked at a woman since, because I have; but marrying ’em was different.”
    â€œI don’t suppose,” said Julia gently, “she’d have wanted you not to …”
    â€œShe didn’t. Just when she was going, she said, ‘Give my love to your wife, Fred’—just like