The Old Jest Read Online Free PDF Page B

knows.’
    â€˜Knows,’ repeated Nancy with contempt.
    â€˜We have to take good care of him. Anyway, he’ll be better tomorrow. I can tell.’
    In the hall the telephone rang. One long jangling ring and then a pause. Nancy got up and went out to answer it. As she picked the receiver from its stand, the bell jangled again.
    â€˜Hello.’
    It was Harry.
    â€˜Oh, hello.’ She tried not to sound too pleased to hear his voice.
    â€˜Where did you go? It was fearfully rude of you to bolt like that. Honestly, Nancy.’
    â€˜I just went. Impelled? Compelled? Which word should I use?’
    â€˜You’re such a bad child at times.’
    â€˜I thought you’d be better off without me … so … I went home.’
    â€˜Without a word.’
    â€˜There’d have been such a fiddledeedee. Anyway I felt like a lonely ant lurking among all those flowers.’
    â€˜Tut!’
    â€˜I’m sure you were better off without me. Admit it.’
    â€˜I stayed for supper.’
    â€˜There you are. That couldn’t have happened if I’d been there.’
    â€˜She was alone …’
    â€˜Yes.’
    There was a pause. Mrs Burke in the post office coughed impatiently as she listened to their silence.
    â€˜It was about the theatre I rang.’
    â€˜Oh yes.’
    â€˜How about tomorrow night? That suits Maeve. Would it suit you?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Sure?’
    â€˜Oh yes. Thank you. Thank you.’
    â€˜Shouldn’t you ask Mary?’
    â€˜That’ll be all right.’
    â€˜Very well then. Can you come up in the train and meet me at the office? College Street. We’ll have a quick bite to eat. I’ll bring the motor up and I can drive you home. Tell Mary you’ll be all right.’
    â€˜That sounds lovely.’
    â€˜Six at the office. It’s Riders to the Sea , by the way.’
    â€˜Yes, I know.’
    â€˜That all right?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Well …’
    â€˜Well …’
    Mrs Burke coughed again.
    â€˜See you tomorrow.’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Goodbye.’
    â€˜Goodbye.’
    She put the receiver back on the stand and turned the handle to let Mrs Burke know that the call was over … as if she didn’t know already. She stood in the darkness for a moment listening to the sound of his voice murmuring inside her head.
    â€˜Who?’ called Aunt Mary from the dining room.
    Nancy moved.
    â€˜Harry.’
    Aunt Mary was polishing the old man’s face with a table napkin.
    â€˜He’s taking me to the Abbey tomorrow night.’
    â€˜That’ll be nice.’
    â€˜Riders to the Sea.’
    â€˜Do take care of the Black and Tans and … trouble …’
    â€˜And Maeve,’ said Nancy.
    â€˜Pretty girl.’ Aunt Mary dropped the crumpled napkin on to the table. ‘Tiresome, I find.’
    â€˜It’s a birthday present.’
    â€˜Just take care. I suppose he’ll take care of you really. He’s dropped off to sleep. I think I’ll bring him into the drawing room. He always likes that window.’
    â€˜I think I’m in love with Harry.’
    Aunt Mary leant down and took the brake off the wheelchair.
    â€˜What nonsense!’
    A cloud moved across the sun and for a moment the room was dim.
    â€˜It isn’t nonsense to me.’
    â€˜Maybe not, dear. I expect you just have a crush on him. That happens you know. It’s not love, though. Love is damn big, pet, don’t consider it yet awhile. Anyway, Harry wouldn’t be the right sort of person for you.’
    The cloud moved on and the sun made patterns of brilliance on the floor and wall. Nancy didn’t say a word.
    â€˜I don’t mean he isn’t nice pet. He really is … he’s just not amazing in any way.’
    â€˜He’s beautiful. Amazingly beautiful.’
    Aunt Mary grasped hold of the handles and began to push the chair across