Part 11 (2/2)
Somehow this piece of news cheered Cressida up.
”Oh, do you think so?”
She would have liked to have pursued the matter but they had arrived at
Charity's home and Jolly came out to drive the car round to the garage
for her and beg them to hurry inside.
”Mrs. Jolly's got the coffee ready, Mevrouw, and there's a good fire in the small sitting-room.”
There was a great deal to talk about; Christmas-and things to do with
the children during the school holidays.
”Tyco's family come over for Christmas and of course we'll have a party. You'll come...?”
”Will I? Supposing the ter Beemstras want to go out? There'll be the
children to mind.””They'll come too. Baby's nurse will come and our housemaid ismarvelous with children and we can pop in and out. They have a room toplay in and their own food. Tyco says they've always done it, and theycome and join the grown-ups when the presents are handed out.”
”Won't it be a bit much for you?”
Charity poured more coffee. The? No, no. Besides, there's you and
Tyco's sisters and Mrs. Jolly and the ter Beemstras. It'll be greatfun. ”She glanced at Cressida.”I'm sorry Aldrik won't be here. He's splendid with children.” She sighed.
”I suppose if Nicola succeeds in getting him to marry her she'll have lots of nasty little Nicolas...”
”She doesn't look as if she would like even one.”
”That won't suit Aldrik; he told me once that he would like a large
family when he married.”
She got up.
”Come and see the nursery, it's all ready the girls helped me and we've
had such fun. Tyco keeps bringing home teddy bears and rattles...” They spent a pleasant hour while Cressida admired everything before going to Charity's bedroom to go through her wardrobe and try on her hats. They went downstairs for lunch presently and just as they reached the hall the front door opened and Tyco and Aldrik came in.
”h.e.l.lo, darling Cressida too.” Tyco kissed his wife, ”Aldrik's on the way to Janslum; I've brought him home for lunch.”
Charity lifted her face for Aldrik's kiss.
”How very nice, and here's Cressida, spending her day off with us.”
Cressida offered a hand and smiled up at him, aware of a deep delight at seeing him again. He took it in his own large one and bent and kissed her cheek.
”This is an unexpected pleasure,” he told her, and Tyco, his arm around his wife, winked at her.
”I have been wondering how you have been getting on.”
Cressida had gone rather pink. She had enjoyed the kiss but it mustn't be allowed to go to her head, she reflected.
”I'm very happy,” she told him.
”Everyone is kind and the children are dears.”
She came to a halt, wis.h.i.+ng very much to tell him every detail of her days. That would bore him, she thought, so instead she asked politely, ”I hope you haven't been too busy?”
The doctor, who had been out of his bed for most of the night after a long day at Amsterdam Hospital, a.s.sured her that he hadn't been at all busy, and Tyco suggested that they might all go to the drawing-room and have a drink before lunch.
”Teile and Letizia will be here in a few minutes,” said Charity.
”Mrs. Jolly's gone to fetch them.”
Lunch was a very cheerful meal; Christmas was near enough for it to be the main topic of conversation and the twins could talk of nothing else, but presently Tyco said, ”Well, I've a couple of patients to see and I said I'd look in at the hospital. I'll drop these two off as I go. Tell Jolly to fetch them after school, my love, will you? I'll be back about five o'clock.” The children went to get their outdoor things and as Charity got up too he said, ”And you'll put your feet up, darling.”
”While you're doing that,” said Aldrik casually, ”I'll take Cressida over to Janslum. It will give her the chance to see something of the country.”
Charity was b.u.t.toning the twins into their coats and Cressida got up to help her. She said over her shoulder, ”It's most kind of you.
Doctor, but I shall be very happy to stay here and read or something while Charity rests. ”
”Oh, I'm not being kind.” He spoke carelessly.
”Tyske my housekeeper has made specula as and I won't be able to eat all of them; besides, the dogs are there I brought them up with me last night. ”
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