A Star Looks Down Part 15

"Good.

' It was only afterwards, when she was getting ready for bed after a pleasant evening in the sitting room, talking idly and listening to the record player, that she remembered, that although he had offered a day off he had at the same time taken it for granted that she would spend some hours of it helping him with his shopping, although upon reflection, she had to admit that she didn't mind in the least.

It was a fine morning again; she put on a jersey dress of a deep mauve which matched her eyes and went down to breakfast, where she was forced to sit under the reproachful gaze of four pairs of eyes.

They were not jealous other going out with their uncle.

Dirk was quick to explain, but they would miss her, a remark which touched her very much.

It was better when the profess or sat himself down with an apology for being late and the remark that if they behaved themselves he had a treat in store for them.

All the same, the little group looked glum when it a.s.sembled to wish them good-bye as they got into the car.

Beth, settling herself beside the profess or, said: "This is smas.h.i.+ng, but I feel frightfully guilty about leaving the children after all, it is Sat.u.r.day.

' "As you say, it is Sat.u.r.day your Sat.u.r.day too, Beth, and if I heard aright, you have been their constant companion for the whole week.

' "I enjoyed it," she a.s.sured him.

"You like them?

' "Immensely.

' "So do I I envy Mar tina and Dirk they married young.

' "You should marry.

Profess or.

' She added, "Someone suitable, of course.

' "How unpleasant that sounds!

You consider that I have reached an age when a suitable marriage is all that is left for me?

' "Heavens, no.

I'm not sure exactly how old you are, but William said thirty-five that's not in the least old just right, in fact.

' "But I do not wish to make a suitable marriage.

Miss Partridge a tepid love and a well ordered life with no ups and down; I would wish for fun, a few healthy quarrels and a love to toss me to the skies.

' He turned to look at her, smiling, so that she knew that his words weren't meant to be taken seriously.

"Would you consider yourself to be a suitable wife for me, little Partridge?

' She frowned down her small, beaky nose at him; it didn't matter what he chose to call her, it sounded endearing; and thai was a piece of nonsense, she told herself sternly.

"Don't be ridiculous," she made her voice severe.

"Your wife should be very pretty--no, more than that, beautiful, and wear gorgeous clothes and be charming too.

She would have to be interested in your work and run your house-houses--perfectly without bothering you about silly little things, and be a super hostess, too.

' She had become quite carried away.

"She sounds like a dead bore to me.

One day, Beth, I will tell you exactly what kind of wife I intend to marry.

' It was absurd to feel so unhappy.

"Oh, you have someone in mind?

' and then, because she couldn't bear to talk about this dream girl of his, she changed the subject abruptly.

"What do you want to buy?

' "You shall know very shortly, dear girl.

' She was looking about her.

"We're going to Shepton Mallett?

That's the turning to Lamyott, if we go a little further we shall pa.s.s Chifney.

' She smiled widely at him.

"How kind of you to remember, we can get a lovely view as we go past.

' But they didn't go past; he slowed the car as they went through the village to turn in through the well-remembered gates and halt in front of the house.

She turned to look at him, not smiling now.

"Oh, why.

' she began.

"You will see, Beth.

Come along.

' He got out of the car and helped her out too, and with a hand under her arm, walked across the gravel to the door and knocked while she stood beside him, not knowing what to say, looking about her at the familiar garden; it was still beautifully kept--her stepbrother would make sure of that; he might not love Chifney, but it was his now and he loved his own image as the squire.

The door opened and she turned to face Mrs Trugg, and at the sight of that well remembered face with its wrinkles and boot b.u.t.ton eyes, she cried: "Oh, Truggy!

' and flung herself into the old woman's arms.

"Miss Beth!

Dearie me, what a sight for sore eyes.

' She turned those same eyes, very sharp now, on to the profess or, adding: "Good day to you, sir.

You'll both come in?

' She held the door wide and they both went inside, the profess or's hand still cupping her elbow.

"Oh, Truggy," said Beth in a soft voice, 'how super to see you again.

I suppose my stepbrother and his wife are home?

' "Yes, love.

' Mrs Trugg beamed at her, puffing a little, for she was a stout little woman.

"And this gentleman?

' she prompted.

"Oh, I'm so sorry.

' Beth looked at him apologetically, 'it was seeing Truggy.

Profess or, this is Mrs Trugg who's been housekeeper here for years and years and is my friend.

Truggy, this is Profess or van Zeust from Holland.

' Mrs Trugg took the hand he held out.

"Fancy that now--a foreign gentleman," and Beth, reading the kind old face like an open book, added hastily: "The profess or is a consultant surgeon at St Elmer's, Truggy--he lectures in London but he lives in Holland.

I'm looking after his sister's children for a week or two.

' Mrs Trugg accepted this statement with a placid: "Fancy that now, and very nice too, Miss Beth--a change from all those nasty operations.

Now take the profess or into the small sitting-room, dearie, and I'll fetch your brother.

' The room hadn't been changed.

Beth went over to look out of the window and asked without looking round: "Why have you brought me here?

I didn't want to come--I said.

' He didn't say anything, and she went on looking out at the garden, quite at a loss, and didn't turn round again until the door opened and Philip came in; he hadn't changed either; he was older, of course, but just as sour as she remembered him to be.

He greeted her with chilly politeness, as though she were a complete stranger, shook hands with the profess or when she introduced them, and after making some meaningless remark about the weather, said: "Of course I know of you.

Profess or-you own Caundle Bubb house, do you not?

Quite a showplace, I believe.

' He sounded patronizing.

"Is it?

--I had no idea.

' The profess or was at his silkiest and Beth saw Philip frown angrily as she went forward to greet her sister in-law, who shook hands limply and looked her up and down.

"My dear Elizabeth," she remarked in a high penetrating voice, 'that dress is at least five years old," a remark which set Beth's cheeks burning, although she choked back the retort bubbling on her tongue and introduced the profess or in a wooden voice.

He shook hands with his hostess and then dropped an arm round Beth's shoulders.

"Beth looks delightful in that colour," he observed gently, at the same time dismissing the other woman's expensive jersey suit with the faintest curl of his lip, so that Beth, quite diverted by this behaviour, wanted to laugh.

"You must be wondering why we are here.

' His voice was courteous, although he managed to convey at the same time the idea that he didn't care less whether they wondered or not.

"You have a mare.

Beauty, I believe, and a pony.

Sugar.

I have four nephews and nieces, anxious to ride, and I am looking for quiet mounts for them; I believe that they would be most suitable for that purpose.

I should be glad if you would sell them to me.

' Beth drew a sharp breath and felt the pressure of the profess or's hand on her shoulder.

"They must be a good age," he added, 'but of course they'll not be overworked.

My own mounts are too lively for children.

' Philip's voice was sharp.

"I presume Elizabeth put you up to this.