Part 16 (1/2)
”And John and Miriam--I don't know where they are.”
He found it difficult to talk to Helen, and as he sat down in the armchair he searched his mind for a remark. ”I thought people always ironed on Tuesdays,” he said at last.
”Some people do. These are just odd things.”
”Eliza does. She makes us have cold supper. And on Mondays. It's too bad.”
”But there can't be much to do for you.”
”I don't know. There's was.h.i.+ng on Monday, and on Sunday she goes to church--so she says.”
Helen changed her iron and worked on. She moved rhythmically and her bare forearms were small and shapely, but Daniel did not look at her. He seemed to be interested in the wrinkled boots he wore, and occasionally he uttered a sad; ”Puss, Puss,” to the cat sleeping before the fire. A light breeze was blowing outside and Helen sometimes paused to look through the open window.
”Our poplars are getting their leaves,” she said. ”It's strange that I have never seen your garden. Are there any trees in it?”
He sat like a half-empty sack of grain, and slowly, with an effort, he raised his head. ”What did you say?”
”Have you any trees in your garden?”
”There's a holly bush in the front and one of those thin trees that have berries--red berries.”
”A rowan! Oh, I'm glad you have a rowan!” She looked as though he had made a gift to her.
He was born to ask questions. ”Why?” he said, with his first gleam of interest.
”Oh, I like them. Is there a garden at the back?”
”Apple-trees,” he sighed. ”No fruit.”
”They must want pruning. You know, gardening would do you good.”
He shook his head. ”Too long in the back.”
”And Zebedee hasn't time?”
”No, he hasn't time.” Daniel was wondering where Miriam was, and how long Rupert would be, and though Helen knew she wearied him, she went on serenely.
”Is he very busy now?”
”Yes.”
”I can't think why people get ill in the spring, just when the lovely summer's coming. Does he get called up at night?”
”I suppose so.” He was growing tired of this. ”But when I'm in bed, I'm asleep, you know.”
”Ah, that's nice for you,” Helen said with a touch of irony as she carefully pulled out the lace of a dainty collar. ”Isn't he rather lonely when you are up here?”
”Lonely!” Daniel's mouth dropped wider and while he tried to answer this absurd question adequately, Rupert entered the room.
”I told you to meet me outside the Bull, you old idiot.”