Part 21 (1/2)

delicate cups.

As she handed him a cup she observed: ”T didn't know it would be.

it's rather grand.

' He glanced round him.

”Is it?

I've lived here all my life and it's just home to me--I hope it will be to you.

' She answered him seriously.

”It's very beautiful.

I think when I've got over my--my awe, I shall like it very much.

Will you tell me about Al?

How did he get here?

' Sarre crossed his long legs and stretched out comfortably.

”He was here ten years ago, chauffeuring his employer; there was an

accident and he was badly injured and came into the hospital.

His employer wasn't hurt and returned home, leaving Al behind.

He said at the time that he would keep in touch and when Al was fit,

see that he got safely back to England.

He even promised him his job back, but although we tried to contact

him, we never found him, so when Al was more or less fit, I took him on.

He has to have osteopathy regularly and he can't drive a car for any

length of time, otherwise he's pretty fit.

He's most useful around the house.

' Alethea poured more coffee.

”And Mrs McCrea?

' ”My mother went to school with a Scottish girl and when they married

they visited each other regularly.

My mother took an instant liking to Mrs McCrea on one visit and a year

or two later, when her husband died suddenly, she came over here to see if she would like to live with us; she's been here ever since.

' ”And is your nanny Dutch?

' ”Yes--a local woman and devoted to the children.

She speaks our language to them as well as Dutch.

' ”Your language?

' ”We have our own language in Groningen, just as they do in Fries land.

It's quite different, but I expect you'll pick up a few words quickly enough.

' He got up.

”You'd like to go to your room?

' He tugged the bell rope by the elaborate old-fas.h.i.+oned stove.

”T must put in half an hour's work going through my post and telephoning the hospital.

You'll be all right?

' The chill returned and she reminded herself, quite unwarrantably, that of course Sarre had work to do, she could hardly expect him to neglect it in order to entertain her.

She followed Mrs McCrea up the staircase, along a gallery and into a room leading from it.