Beggars May Sing

by Sara Seale

  "Absolutely translucent," grinned Sebastian, breaking into sugary arpeggios. "Julie's been walking on air ever since the Napiers called. After all the fusses, she's got a Gale to thank for that! She and Victor have been looking like turtle-doves all day."

  "I'd give a lot to know if they'll marry," Gina said slowly. "I don't think Julie ought to marry the Swann."

  "Why not?"

  "Oh—I don't think she can realize certain things about him."

  "Well, that's her look-out. I should have thought he was fairly obvious."

  "She can't know."

  "Can't know what?"

  "Oh—just certain things."

  "What's the matter, Ginny? You look as though you've seen a ghost!" he said, and she gave herself a little shake.

  "Do I? Witch-like, I suppose," she said with a short laugh. "Sebastian, Julie thinks it's time I got married."

  "Married? You?" Sebastian gave a gnomish chuckle, and performed a flourish in the treble. "My poor Ginny, you're not adult!"

  "One can't go on being adolescent for ever," said Gina in a queer little voice. "I became adult quite three months ago. It isn't a bit pleasant, I assure you. I'm of a marriage-able age. I'm nearly twenty."

  He stopped playing and stared at her. "Well, supposing you are—who is there to marry?" he demanded at last,

  She shrugged. "No one."

  He thought for a moment. "You don't think you're in love with Evan Hunter, do you?" he said incredulously.

  "I don't think I'm in love with anyone," she replied frankly "But it's something at least to be attracted by the man you marry."

  "Then you are thinking of marrying him?"

  "He hasn't asked me. But he's clearly Julie's choice."

  "Rubbish!" Sebastian began to play Paupers' Parade fiercely. "Didn't I tell you before that you won't attract very young men?"

  "But I do attract Evan," said Gina meekly.

  "For a moment, because he sees you looking clean and tidy suddenly, but that won't last. The Sprat's his mark."

  "Well, I've got to marry someone."

  "Don't be in such a hurry. When I come down from Oxford, we'll set up house together, and be rid of the whole bunch of them. That's the best thing for you, darling."

  III

  The cold weather held. Every pond in the district was frozen hard, and skating parties took place every day.

  Gina, completely recovered, spent all her time on the ice with Evan and Sebastian as constant companions. It became Evan's principal aim in life to give Sebastian the slip, so that he might have Gina to himself, and he became quite clever at depositing her brother safely at one pond, while he quietly carried her away to another. But Sebastian was not the only person he had to contend with. Gina became suddenly popular by reason of her skating excellence, and she was much in demand as a partner.

  Then came the evening of the Pratts' dance.

  The Pratts had certainly done things in style.

  "It looks like a film star's wedding," murmured Philippa, as they mounted the stairs to shake hands with their host and hostess.

  There were hot-house flowers banked high in every possible place, their strong, sickly scent already becoming slightly overpowering. A first-class band was playing in the ballroom, and the crush of people was terrific.

  Nancy, standing beside her parents, looked as lovely as a face-cream advertisement. Her white fluffy frock was new and expensive, and she eyed her feminine guests with pleasure as she recognized gowns worn upon other occasions. But Gina, coming up the stairs in a frock of tawny organza which emphasized the rich tones of her hair, was a suddenly disturbing sight, since Evan was in close attendance. Nancy experienced the unusual sensation that her own dress was obvious, that Gina's jade necklace, shoes, and bag were clever touches, and that she should herself have worn coloured shoes instead of white ones, which would get dirty after a few dances.

  It was difficult to dance with any pleasure since the room was much too crowded, and after several attempts Evan and Gina gave it up, and went in search of a quiet sitting-out place.

  "Well, Gina?"

  "Well, Evan?"

  He laughed, then looked at her with such undisguised admiration that she smiled.

  "You're wonderful in that frock," he told her. "It's new, isn't it?"

  She nodded. "Julie gave it to me for the charity ball, but I wouldn't wait till then to wear it."

  "You know, it's so queer to think that you like clothes as much as any other girl."

  "Oh? Why?"

  "I don't know." He laughed and looked a little sheepish. "I used to think of you as a tomboy, I'm afraid. You did grow up awfully suddenly, Gina."

  She was silent a moment, then she said quietly, "I never had very nice things before. You can't be feminine when you're still treated like a schoolgirl."

  "Poor little Ginny! But that's all over now, isn't it? Someone's spread themselves on clothes for you."

  "That was Julie. She must have spent a lot of money. I don't frightfully like it, but still—I suppose I am her responsibility."

  "A very sweet responsibility. I wish—"

  "Evan—I haven't a penny to my name," she said quickly, and wondered why she had said it.

  "I know." He looked across at her, his eyes gentian blue and suddenly serious. "You like me a little, don't you, Gina?"

  "A very great deal."

  "Then mayn't I—"

  "Oh, Evan, don't let's be serious," she said suddenly. "Another time we'll sit and be very grave and thoughtful, but tonight—" She broke off and looked at him with eyes that were suddenly very bright.

  He appeared a little puzzled. "But sometime, Gina dear, I want to talk to you seriously," he said.

  She felt a small thrill of excitement at his words, and not altogether understanding her own impulse to put him off, said with a little laugh:

  "As seriously as you like, Evan darling, but not now. All this"—she spread out her hands, indicating the mass of flower decoration around them—"besides, it's Nancy's dance."

  "What's that got to do with it?"

  "I don't know, but you might. Come and let's find ices."

  She jumped up and took him by the hand, pulling him to his feet.

  "You're marvellous," he said inarticulately, and flinging one arm round her waist went with her towards the door, which opened at the same moment to admit Nancy and her partner, who happened to be Victor.

  "Oh!" Nancy was taken off her guard. She forgot to pose, and her blue eyes filled with sudden tears as she looked at Evan, his arm round Gina, both of them flushed and laughing.

  "Hullo, Nancy!" said Gina a little awkwardly. "Your dance is lovely."

  Nancy's little airs and graces came back to her with a rush, and she dimpled and tossed her curls.

  "I'm so glad you're enjoying it, Gina dear," she said sweetly, then turned to Evan reproachfully. "You haven't asked me for a dance yet, Evan, and I'm your hostess," she said.

  He flushed scarlet and fumbled guiltily for his programme. "Didn't I? My dear, I'm sure I must have," he stammered, looking extremely uncomfortable. "I suppose—well, of course you're completely booked up now. I'm terribly disappointed."

  "I'm sure you must be. But if you really want to dance with me you can have this one. It's about all I've got left." She took his arm with a small proprietary gesture, and smiled at Victor. "I'm sorry, Mr. Swann. Perhaps Gina will sit out with you. She's rather good at it. Don't forget, Gina, everyone's to be in the ballroom at twelve o'clock. There's a New Year surprise."

  She left the room with Evan, and Victor stood grinning down at Gina.

  "Shame, Gina! Snatching the poor little girl's young man," he said ponderously. "I should never have thought you had it in you. No wonder little Nancy doesn't love you."

  "Shall we go back to the ballroom?" asked Gina stiffly.

  "Where's your hurry?" he returned, planting himself in the doorway. "What's wrong with having a little rest up here? It's hot downstairs with all those people
and flowers and central heating."

  "Very well." She sat down at once and stared in front of her.

  "Oh, come! You might make yourself a little pleasant," he protested. "You looked unbending enough with young Hunter when we came in. I bet you didn't mind a kiss or two from him."

  "I'm not in the habit of kissing men at all," said Gina icily.

  "I thought not. The sooner that state of affairs is remedied, the better, my dear. I'm not really repulsive, you know."

  Before she had time to resist, he had pulled her to her feet and had kissed her swiftly on the lips.

  "There! That wasn't so bad, was it?" he said with quite genuine concern.

  She stood looking at him, dragging the back of her hand across her mouth. "I think you're the most loathesome individual I've ever had the misfortune to meet," she said in a clear, biting voice.

  A curious expression passed across his florid face. "You look grand in a temper, Red-Head!" he said, quite un-disturbed, and she ran out of the room and left him.

  As she went down the stairs, the heavy atmosphere rose to meet her in stupefying clouds. The scent of the flowers made her feel a little faint. She found Sebastian looking lost and ill at ease in his new tail-coat, and said urgently:

  "Be a dear, and come back in the car with me, and then bring it back here. I'm dying to go home."

  "Feeling queer?"

  "A bit. It's this ghastly atmosphere and—" She had a sudden quite unaccountable impression of Mark left alone in the house, while they all enjoyed themselves at his expense.

  "Right you are, Ginny! I'm bored to tears myself. I think it's a god-awful party, but then I never could bear dances. Come on."

  Sebastian, delighted, pushed his way through the crowd, and Gina managed to fetch her coat without being too conspicuous, and they escaped unobtrusively into the frosty night. It had begun to snow 'again since they had first arrived, and the soft flakes stung their hot faces with an icy touch as they looked for their car. They extricated it from the others with some difficulty, then Gina took the wheel and they turned their backs happily upon the Pratt mansion.

  IV

  Mark didn't hear the front door open and close. It was the sound of his own door-handle turning which made him look up from his book to see Gina standing on the threshold.

  "Back already?" he exclaimed, glancing at his watch. "Why, it isn't eleven yet!"

  She stood there looking at him with a curious expression on her face.

  "Are you 'alone? Where are the others?"

  "Yes, I'm alone. Do you mind? Sebastian took the car back," she said slowly. She came into the room, shutting the door quietly behind her, and went over to the fire. "Mayn't I have a party with you?" she asked meekly.

  "Of course, my dear. I'm delighted to have you. But weren't you enjoying yourself?" he said, looking 'a little puzzled.

  "Not very much. Besides, we'd left you here all alone."

  "Was that your reason for returning?"

  "Partly. No one should be alone on New Year's Night." She knelt down on the rug, and her amber skirts billowed delicately around her.

  He stood watching her, trying to read her grave little profile. "That was perfectly charming of you," he said then. "But you're full of charming gestures towards me, Gina."

  She smiled. "Not always." She turned round 'abruptly to face him, the corners of her mouth tilted in sudden sweetness. "I am friends, Mark," she said, and waited a little expectantly.

  "Bless you, you funny child!" he said affectionately, 'and pulled a chair up close to her. "I suppose you've left shoals of disconsolate young men behind you."

  "Not shoals," she said, and tossed him her programme.

  He raised his eyebrows interrogatively as he looked at it. There were a few illegible initials at the end, but Evan's signature was scrawled right across the first half.

  "Did you quarrel? Is that why you came home?" he asked, and there was a slight strain in his voice which she didn't notice.

  She laughed, and shook her glowing head. "No. I told you one of the reasons. Well—? Aren't you going to ask me if I'm going to marry Evan? Everyone does."

  "Meaning Julie?"

  She nodded, and watched him a little anxiously.

  "May I ask you if you love him?" Mark said diffidently.

  Her green eyes narrowed with sudden mirth. "Oh, Mark, you are priceless!" she cried. "No one has bothered up till now to inquire into that side of the affair, and if they did, I'm sure they wouldn't have your finer feelings."

  Mark, wondering if he had been rather pompous, said seriously, "But no one has a right to pry, Gina dear. That sort of confidence should be given freely or not at all."

  "How nice you are! Well, what do you want me to tell you? That I'm deliriously in love with Evan?"

  "Are you?" he said, evading her question.

  She thought a moment, then gave a slight shrug. "I don't know. No—not deliriously. But if—I don't know."

  "Has he asked you to marry him?"

  "No. But he wants to."

  "And you want to accept him?"

  "Well—I've got to marry somebody, and Evan is so heavenly to look at. That ought to be a great help in marriage."

  "No help at all," he replied shortly. "Now listen to me, Gina. Don't let yourself be rushed into marriage because Julie wishes it. She has wrong ideas altogether. Besides, you're both very young. Do you really think that young man would satisfy you for long?"

  "Well, of course, that's the one doubt," she said seriously. "Sebastian always told me that I wouldn't attract very young men, but I don't know—it's all very difficult. But Mark"—she turned a grave face towards him—"I do appreciate that you can't support me for ever."

  "Did Julie tell you that too?" There was a curious expression in his grey eyes.

  "She needn't really have bothered," Gina said a little ruefully. "I have plenty of perception really."

  "Far too much," he exclaimed, and there was an edge to his voice. "Gina—" he leant forward, studying her upturned face "—can't you ever forget this wretched association of money between us? I understand your sensitiveness about it, and although I think you have a very exaggerated idea of the situation, I like that in you. But I often wish you had more of Sebastian's casual spirit towards money."

  "Perhaps that's why I'm like this," she said in a low voice.

  "Well, my dear, will you please listen to me very seriously when I ask you never to do anything so incredibly foolhardy as to marry any man for the sake of relieving me of what you choose to call a burden. Pay no 'attention to Julie. She doesn't always act for the best. Do you understand?"

  She nodded. "Um. But I do like Evan, anyhow."

  He leant back in his chair again. "That's another matter, of course," he said a little wearily. "But if you're really serious, you must wait until he has finished with Cambridge. His time's nearly up there now, and he must get started properly in his profession before he can think of marrying."

  She sat back on her heels in the circle of firelight, and looked at him tenderly.

  "You're a dear, Judge," she said slowly. "And to think there was a time when I didn't like you!"

  "So you admit it now!"

  "Yes. But I didn't know you then. I think you're a frightfully big person." She bent forward with a swift sudden movement, and taking one of his hands, brought it impulsively to her lips. She felt him tremble, then stiffen, and she drew back a little ashamed. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

  "Sorry!" His arm instinctively went round her shoulders, and he pressed her to him gently. "I told you before, Gina, you are full of charming gestures towards me."

  He just touched the top of her head with his lips, and, 'as on that first and only occasion, she flung her arms round his neck like a child, and kissed him back. But this time, no sooner had she done it than she sprang to her feet, and wave upon wave of brilliant colour flooded her face. She thought she would never stop blushing, and Mark, after watching a little curiously, had to laugh.


  To tide over her embarrassment, he suggested that they should have a supper-party by the fire to see in the New Year together.

  "Like last time—with champagne?" she cried with pleasure.

  "With champagne, you little tippler!" he said, and they went out to the kitchen quarters to rummage for food.

  All the servants were out, and they made havoc with Sweeny's neat pantry, trying to find plates and glasses. Gina laid a small table in the study, while Mark went down to the cellar to fetch the wine.

  Mark uncorked the champagne with a flourish, and they sat down to their supper. Gina had lighted candles in old Georgian candlesticks, 'and had even found the remains of the Christmas crackers with which to make the table gay. At twelve o'clock they toasted each other and drank to the coming year, while the village bells suddenly pealed out in the snowy night.

  "All good things to you, Gina!" Mark said, raising his glass.

  "And to you," she replied. "I hope you get your dearest wish."

  She thought he looked at her a little oddly over the rim of his glass.

  "My dearest wish is so bound up with you that it may not be wise for me to get it," he said cryptically when he had drunk the toast.

  "If it's anything I can give you, Mark" she began eagerly.

  "Perhaps one day," he said with a smile, and held a cracker out to her.

  By one o'clock, Gina, curled up on the floor by Mark's chair, had dropped to sleep, her head against his knee. He knew he ought to wake her and send her up to bed, but the pleasure of having her near him was too great. He sat watching the firelight play on the tumbled hair which half hid her sleeping face, and wondered about the future.

  Julie, coming in a little later, stood in the doorway and took in the scene with a slow deliberate gaze. She saw the pushed-back table, with its still burning candles, and the litter of soiled plates and gaily-coloured cracker papers; Gina, abruptly awakened, and struggling into a less intimate position; and Julie's mouth curved in a smile that was not amused.

  "Quite a little party," she said with a drawl, and came into the room. "Pol Roger, too. Evidently an occasion."