by Henry Green
Raunce answered with what appeared to be reluctance.
'He said the company would not meet the claim I'm sorry to tell Madam.'
'Not meet the claim? Really Raunce this is too detestable. Are you sure?'
'Yes Madam.'
'It's not the money I'm worried about, the thing had memories for me that money couldn't buy. No what I'm thinking is that I shan't get any insurance company to insure me if we don't get this cleared up. Oh how aggravating you all of you are. Why the whole thing's distasteful. Here am I have got to suffer because you can't control your pantry boy. You do see that don't you Raunce? Then tell me this. What on earth would you advise me to do now?'
'Well Madam if I may say so Albert is a good lad. In fact I can't believe he can know the least thing. If you would give me another few days Madam I'm positive I can sift to the bottom of it for you.'
However Mrs Tennant decided that she must see Albert for herself. As Raunce went to fetch the lad she called him back.
'But what are you thanking God for that I'm here if things are in the state they're in?' she asked.
'It's the uncertainty,' he replied straight out and went.
Mrs Tennant did not have a satisfactory little talk with Bert. He readily explained that he had told the assessor he'd got it but he would not admit to her that he had the ring. He just stood there upright and yellow, refusing to answer most of the time. She told him it was despicable to take refuge in silence but this had no effect, any more than it did when she meaningly said she would have to think it over. Indeed he chose that moment to say he wished to give in his notice.
'I won't accept it,' she said at once.
He could not have thought of this for his jaw dropped in a ludicrous look of surprise.
'It wouldn't be fair to you Albert, not with this hanging over you.'
'I want to be a air gunner'm,' he blurted out.
'Stuff and nonsense. Speak to Raunce and ask him to get some sense into you. I'm very displeased. I'm very displeased indeed and I shall have to consider what I'm going to do. Run along at once. You've stolen a ring and now you want to-be a hero. Yes that's all. Run along.'
He did not cry as he went to the servants' hall, he shook with rage. He was repeating to himself 'I won't ever speak to one of 'em in this bloody 'ouse not ever again.'
Meantime Raunce had hurried back to his room where Edith was waiting. 'Any sign yet?' he asked urgent. She shook her head. She was biting her nails.
'Why don't you change your mind an' let me 'ave a go at that precious lad?' he appealed. 'Honest Edie dear we've no time. Mrs T.'s just sent for my Albert. There's no tellin' what 'e'll say. He's just a bundle of nerves that kid. Because if we don't find the ring this afternoon we'll be in a proper pickle.'
'I tell you you'll never get anything out of them children by fright. I understand them and you don't.'
'That's all fine and dandy,' Raunce answered, 'but there's nothing come of your method these last two days and now I warn you it's desperate dear,' he appealed. 'Lord but I do wish you'd never found the object.'
'What lies on your mind so Charley?' she asked. 'You're that nervous you've got me upset. You tell me this then you tell me the other till I'm all confused.'
'Look this is the way I see the situation,' he explained. 'I must've been crazy not to tumble it in the first place. The minute Mrs Welch's Albert goes to cash in on that ring an' they ask the kid where he got a valuable like it, all 'e'll say is that 'e found what you'd hid away. He'll drag you in see?'
'But listen,' she objected, 'the young ladies'd never allow him.'
'Allow him?' Raunce echoed intense, 'but how could they prevent it? There's one thing about evacuees,' he said. 'No matter what the homes are they've come from they're like fiends straight up from hell honey after they've been a month or more down in the country districts. And comin' as 'e does from that woman's sister before 'e even left London, – well what else can you expect? There's only one language those little merchants understand an' that's a kind of morse spelt out with a belt on their backsides.'
'No Charley,' she appealed looking up at him round-eyed from where she sat in his chair, 'you leave me my own way till nightfall at any rate. Because I know Miss Evelyn and Miss Moira like I've read them in a book. If they get frighted then there's nothing in this world will make them say a word.' Came a knock on the door. 'This is it' And Miss Moira entered.
'Oh hullo Mr Raunce,' the child said, standing as though uncertain.
'Hullo Miss Moira,' he said very loud.
'Are you come about our secret?' Edith asked. The little girl nodded. 'Then you can tell in front of Mr Raunce, he's in it along with us,' she explained. But Miss Moira stood hands behind her back, shifting from one foot to the other, and looked from Raunce to Edith then back again.
'Tell Edith,' the maid gently persuaded.
'I got it,' Miss Moira piped at last.
'You got what darlin'?' Edith asked through Raunce's heavy breathing.
'Why your wedding present of course,' the child replied. 'Just what you said you wanted. But from me, not from Evelyn or Albert. It's my special present,' she explained.
'Oh isn't that kind,' Edith exclaimed softly. 'When can I see it?'
'Here,' the child said. And she whipped out another of Mrs Tennant's rings heavy with uncut rubies worth perhaps two hundred pounds.
'Christ,' Raunce muttered half under his breath. Edith let the thing drop through her fingers and began to cry. Her crying was genuine, even became noisy.
'Now Miss Moira if I was you I'd run along,' Raunce began, stepping awkwardly up to Edith. But Edith clutched his arm in such a grip he took it for a warning. Then she held her arms out blind to the child who ran into them.
'Why darling Edith don't cry,' she said, 'darling don't, darling.'
'It's Albert,' Edith wailed, 'Albert and me'd set our hearts on the blue one.'
'Then why ever didn't you say?' Miss Moira asked with her lips at Edith's ear. 'I won't be a minute.'
'You'll take this one back,' Edith said beginning to recover. 'You won't let your grandma know it's been missed.'
Miss Moira grabbed the ruby ring. 'Of course not,' she said.
'She's about this minute, Miss Moira. You'll never let her catch sight of you?' Raunce asked. Edith clutched his arm again so that he kept silent.
'You do fuss so,' the child pouted. 'Goodbye for now.'
'And you'll let me have my blue one?' Edith begged. 'We've made our minds up to have that, honest we have dear.'
'Don't be so terribly impatient,' Miss Moira replied reproving. 'I told you I won't be a minute. And it's a great lot to do for anyone even if it is a wedding present,' she added as though bitter, and then was gone.
'Oh my Christ,' Raunce uttered, 'did you ever know the like?'
'Hush dear don't swear everything'll come right in a jiffy,' Edith answered as she began to dry her face. 'But where did the child come across those rubies?'
'Where else but in Mrs T.'s room,' Raunce answered gloomy. 'Even when she goes over to London they lie there open in a drawer. Will that child bring the blue one d'you suppose?'
'It's all right now don't worry,' Edith said.
'I hope,' he said. 'An' so that's what you told Miss Moira,' he went on. 'You're deep you are. Which Albert is it you're goin' to be wife to? Mine or Mrs Welch's?'
'Don't be silly it was yours I told her of course.'
'I don't get that,' he pointed out. 'I mean I don't see the reason.'
'I had to so she could understand. I've been obliged to do a lot I didn't like.'
'Women are deep,' he said. He bent down and kissed her. She put her arms slack about his neck. She did not kiss him. He straightened up.
'And now where are we?' he asked beginning to pace up and down. 'Before we're much older we'll be caught with all her bloody jewellery in this room red 'anded.'
'Be quiet,' Edith said. 'Ring or no ring I don't aim for Mrs Tennant to find me if she thought to
come through this way to the kitchen. But it'll be all right now you'll see. Miss Moira'll fetch the right ring this time. I worship that child,' she added. Raunce halted when he heard this. He looked at her almost in alarm.
After she had done with Charley's Albert Mrs Tennant went straight upstairs, took off her hat, washed her hands, murmured to herself 'better get it over,' came down again and went to the kitchen by a way which did not lead through the pantry.
The cook lumbered to her feet on Mrs Tennant's entry.
'Well mum I do 'ope you had a enjoyable visit and that the young gentleman was in good health as well as in good spirits in spite of this terrible war,' Mrs Welch said.
'You are a dear, Mrs Welch,' Mrs T. replied. 'D'you know you're the first person has greeted me since I got back as though they had ever seen me before, not counting Michael. I don't count him. You can't believe these Irishmen can you?'
Mrs Welch let out a deep, cavernous chuckle. She behaved like an established favourite.
'Gawd save us from 'em, they're foreigners after all,' she announced. 'What's more I won't allow my girls to have nothing to do with 'em,' she announced, beginning to grow mysterious.
'I'm sure you're right,' Mrs Tennant agreed brightly.
'Now it's strange your mentioning that mum but I had an example only the other day,' Mrs Welch went on fast. 'I happened to be stood by the larder windows when I 'ad a terrible stench of drains very sudden. Quite took my breath away. Just like those Irish I said to myself as I stood there, never to clean a thing out.'
'You don't imagine...?' Mrs Tennant began to ask. She sat down on a kitchen chair.
'A terrible stench of drains,' Mrs Welch repeated. 'And me that had thought we were goin' to have them all up while you was away with Mrs Jack.'
'The drains?' Mrs Tennant echoed.
'That's what was said,' Mrs Welch insisted.
'Who said? I never gave orders.'
'No mum I'd be the last to say you did seein' you knew nothing. Only when that lovely cluster ring you had was lost, an' what a terrible thing to 'appen, there was one or two did mention that takin' 'em up was the only thing.'
'Down the drain?' Mrs Tennant cried. 'How fantastic.'
'Ah I could've told them they'd never get away with that,' Mrs Welch rejoined as though triumphant. 'Fantastic's the word beggin' your pardon. Down the plumbin' indeed when it was all the time right where I'll be bound it is this moment if it's not already been come upon.'
'No,' Mrs Tennant said guarded, 'there's no trace.'
'Ah there you are,' Mrs Welch replied profound.
'Now Mrs Welch I don't think we shall get anywhere like this,' Mrs Tennant gently expostulated.
'Just as you please mum,' the cook answered calm. 'And what would you fancy for your luncheon?'
'That is to say what I really came for was to ask your advice,' Mrs Tennant countered, looking again to make sure the kitchen door was shut.
'I shouldn't think twice about the stench of drains,' Mrs Welch put in, 'that was likely nothin' really. Probably the way the wind lay or something.'
'I haven't had you with me all these years without getting to know when I'm to take you seriously,' Mrs Tennant replied. 'No it's about Albert'
'Albert?' Mrs Welch echoed with a set look on her face. ' 'Ave they been on to you about Albert?'
'Well you know he's admitted it.'
'Admitted what I'd like to be told?' cried Mrs Welch.
'Why he did to me only a quarter of an hour ago.'
'What about?' Mrs Welch asked grim.
'Well what we've been discussing, my sapphire cluster ring,' Mrs Tennant answered.
'Your lovely sapphire cluster,' Mrs Welch echoed anguished. 'Why the lyin' lot of... no I won't say it, that would be too good for em.
'D'you think the others have had a part in this then?'
'I don't think. I know mum,' Mrs Welch announced.
'But they would hardly have told him what to say to incriminate himself?'
'Criminal?' Mrs Welch replied, her voice rising. 'That's just it mum. For this is what those two are, that Raunce and his Edith. I don't say nothin' about their being lain all day in each other's arms, and the best part of the night too very likely though I can't speak to the night time, I must take my rest on guard and watch as I am while it's light outside, lain right in each other's arms,' she resumed, 'the almighty lovers they make out they are but no more than fornicators when all's said and done if you'll excuse the expression, where was I? Yes. "Love" this an' "dear" that, so they go on day and night yet they're no better than a pair of thieves mum, misappropriatin' your goods behind your back.'
'Mrs Welch,' Mrs T. protested rising to her feet with a deep look of distaste. 'I won't listen,' she was going on but the cook interrupted.
'I'm sorry mum but you must allow me my say. There's been insinuations made and it's only right I should have the privilege to cast 'em back in the teeth of those that's made it. They're like a pair of squirrels before the winter layin' in a store with your property mum against their marriage if they ever find a parson to be joined in matrimony which I take leave to doubt. And it's not your ring alone. Did you ever look to the cellar mum? Why you hadn't been gone over into England more than a few hours when I chanced to look into that jar where I keep my waterglass. I was just goin' over my stores as I do regular every so often. Believe it or not there was above a quart gone. So I made my enquiry. You'll never credit this'm. It seems that Edith has been makin' away with the peacock's eggs to store them. There you are. But that's child's play. Listen to this.'
'Peacock's eggs? Whatever for?'
'Because they're starvin' over the other side the ordinary common people are begging your pardon mum.'
'Really Mrs Welch,' Mrs Tennant began again peremptory.
'I'm sorry I'm sure,' the cook insisted, 'but a few dozen eggs and a gallon or two of that stuff is child's play. Take the dead peacock. Stuffed 'im in my larder Raunce did all a'crawlin' with maggots over the lovely bit of meat I'd got for their supper. And what for you'll ask? As well you might. Ah you'd never believe their wickedness. It's to set that I R A, man Conor against me, that devil everyone's afeared for their life of in this place. And they're in it the two of them over your corn that's fed to the birds, Raunce an' that mad Irishman is. Like it was over the gravel between Raunce again an' Michael. The diabolical plunderers,' she said and paused to take breath, her face a dark purple.
'I'm not going to listen. I shall leave you till you're in a fit state. ...' Mrs Tennant insisted wearily but Mrs Welch cut her short by shambling forward between her mistress and the door.
'Yet when they grow bold to come forward with their lying tales,' she went on, and grew hoarse, 'when they say cruel lies about the innocent, their fingers winkin' with your rings once your back is turned, then the honest shan't stay silent. If I should let myself dwell on what they told you, that my Albert, my sister's own son, so much as set eyes on that ring of yours or anything which belongs to you an' you don't know how to look after, then that's slander and libel, that there is, which is punishable by law.'
'All this is too absurd,' Mrs Tennant said cold. 'What's more I shouldn't be a bit surprised if you hadn't been drinking. I've wondered now for some time. In any case it never was a question of your Albert but of the pantry boy.'
'Gin?' Mrs Welch cried, 'I've not come upon any yet in this benighted island and you'll excuse me mum but I know who was intended, which Albert...'
'Now then,' Mrs Tennant cut her short in a voice that carried Jane and Mary went crimson outside, began to giggle. 'Out of my way.' Mrs Welch leant back against the dresser. Her face was congested. She was in difficulty with her breathing.
'An' my pots and pans,' she began once more but this time in a mutter.
'We won't say any more about this,' Mrs Tennant went on, 'but if I ever find you like it another time you'll go on the next boat d'you hear me, even if I have to cook for the whole lot of you myself. Good mornin' to you. Oh
I forgot what I really came about,' she added turning back. 'Mr Jack's been given embarkation leave now so Mrs Jack is bringing him home by the day boat to-morrow.' And on that she left.
As she came out of that swing door which bounded Mrs Welch's kingdom she found Raunce waiting bent forward in obvious suspense and excitement.
'It's been recovered Madam,' he announced.
'What has Arthur?'
'Why your sapphire ring Madam.'
'Thank you,' she said as though she had not heard. Taking it from him she slipped it on a finger. As she walked away she said half under her breath but loud enough for him to hear,
'And now perhaps you'll tell me what I'm to say to the Insurance Company?'
He was absolutely stunned. His jaw hung open.
'Oh Raunce,' she called over her shoulder. He stood up straight Perhaps he simply could not make a sound.
'Who found it?' she asked.
He seemed to pull himself together.
'It was Edith,' he answered at random and probably forgot at once whom he had named.
Even then she had the last word. She turned round when she was some way off down the passage.
'Oh Raunce,' she said, 'I'm afraid your luncheon to-day may be burned,' gave a short laugh, then was gone.
Young Mrs Tennant came into the Red Library where her mother-in-law was seated at the desk which had a flat sloping top of rhinoceros hide supported on gold fluted pillars of wood.
'Where's Jack?' she asked.
'Fishing of course dear.'
'I shouldn't have thought there was enough water in the river.'
'Oh Violet,' Mrs Tennant replied, 'that reminds me. Ask tomorrow if I've told Raunce the servants can't have any more baths, so that I shan't forget. Or not more than one a week anyway until we can be sure the wells won't go dry.'
'I will. Was he always as fond of fishing?'
'Always. But tell me Violet. Oughtn't we to do something about him in the evenings? Get someone over I mean. Another man so that he needn't sit over his port alone.'
'But who is there now they've stopped the petrol?' the young woman asked. 'Anyway I'd have thought a girl would have been better.'
'Oh no we don't want anything like that do we? In any case they're all Roman Catholics. No I was thinking of Captain Davenport?'