“Therewasatelephonecallforyou,fromEngland,”Olympiabegan;shatteredtofeelhowshetrembledinwardly.

ThetremblingturnedtostillnessasshesawWaldohaltandturntolookatherwithsuddenlyalerteyes.

“England?”hequestioned,andwhenOlympiarealizedthathewasnotgoingtosayanymorethanthat,shewenton,“Itwasawoman,agirlIimagine,byhervoice—itwaspretty…”Olympiaswallowedtheangershehadbeennursingalldayandwentonsteadily.“Thegirlwasanxioustospeaktoyou,shedidn’tknowwhoIwas,butshetoldmenottotellyourwife.”

Heregardedhergravely,hisfaceimpassive.“Itakeitshedidn’tgivehername?”

“No.Thegirlsaidyouknewhernumber,”shereplied,andinthesmallsilencethatfellbetweenthem,sheasked,“Waldo,whoisshe?”

RomancereadersaroundtheworldweresadtonotethepassingofBettyNeelsinJune2001.Hercareerspannedthirtyyears,andshecontinuedtowriteintoherninetiethyear.Tohermillionsoffans,Bettyepitomizedtheromancewriter,andyetshebeganwritingalmostbyaccident.Shehadretiredfromnursing,butherinquiringmindstillsoughtstimulation.Hernewcareerwasbornwhensheheardaladyinherlocallibrarybemoaningthelackofgoodromancenovels.Betty’sfirstbook,SisterPetersinAmsterdam,waspublishedin1969,andsheeventuallycompleted134books.Hernovelsofferareassuringwarmththatwasverymuchapartofherownpersonality.Shewasawonderfulwriter,andshewillbegreatlymissed.Herspiritandgenuinetalentwillliveoninallherstories.

THEBESTOFBETTYNEELS

THEENDOFTHERAINBOW

CONTENTS

CHAPTERONE

CHAPTERTWO

CHAPTERTHREE

CHAPTERFOUR

CHAPTERFIVE

CHAPTERSIX

CHAPTERSEVEN

CHAPTEREIGHT

CHAPTERNINE

CHAPTERONE

ASNEERINGMARCHWINDWASblowingdownPrimroseHillRoad,drivingeveryoneandeverythingbeforeit,buttherewasonebattlingfigurestrugglingintoitsteeth—ayoungwoman,hurryingalongatagreatrate,herheadbent,herhair,whippedoutofherhead-scarf,blowingaroundherface.Presentlysheturneddownasideroadandpausingonlytotuckherhairawayoutofhereyes,hurriedon,fasternowinitscomparativeshelter.Itwasapleasantenoughstreet,linedwithtall,late-Victorianhouses,nicelymaintainedstill,eachwithitsnarrowrailed-offareastepsleadingtoabasement,andeach,too,withitsheavyfrontdoor,bearinganimpressivebrassknocker.Halfwayalongthesesuperiordwellingsthegirlstopped,dartedupthesteps,putdownthebasketwhichshewascarrying,openedthedoorwithsomedifficulty,whiskedupthebasketandwentinside.

Thehallsheenteredwaschillyandratherdim,withapolishedlinoleumfloorandatable,flankedbytwochairs,againstonewall.Therewasahandsomevaseonthetable,empty,andascrupulouslycleanashtray.Thestairswerecoveredwithlinotoo,andalthougheverythingwasspotlesslycleanandfreefromdust,itheldneitherwarmthnorwelcome.Thegirlpausedonlylongenoughtoclosethedoorbehindherbeforecrossingthehallandmakingherwaydownthestairsbeyondasmallarchwayattheback.Shehadreachedthebottomandhadherhandonadoorinthenarrowdarkpassagebeyondwhenshewashaltedbyavoice.Itcalledsharplyfromthefloorabove:‘Olympia,comehereatonce!’

Thegirlputherbasketdownandwentupstairsagain,openedoneofthemassivemahoganydoorsinthehall,shutitquietlybehindher,andwaitednearit,lookingacrossthecarpetedfloortowhereherauntsatatherdesk.MissMariaRandlewasalargewoman,approachingmiddle-agebutstillhandsomedespitehersevereexpression.Shelookedupbrieflynow.‘Youhavebeengonealongtime,’sheobservedcoldly.

‘Therewasagooddealofshopping…’‘Nonsense—whenIwasagirlofyourage,Ithoughtnothingoftwicethe

amountIaskyoutodo.’Shesighed,‘Butthere,youarehardlycapableofanormalgirl’swork;ifIhadknownwhenIadoptedyou,gaveyouagoodhome

andeducatedyouatsuchexpense,thatyouwouldrepaymeinsuchanungratefulfashion,Iwouldhavethoughttwiceaboutit.’

Olympiahadhearditallbefore;shesighedsoundlessly,andherfacetookonthewoodenexpressionwhichconcealedherhurtfeelingsandwhichherauntreferredtoasmulish.Itwasapleasantface,althoughithadnostartlinggoodlooks;greyeyes,nicelyfringed,ashortstraightnose,awide,softlycurvedmouthandadeterminedchindidn’tquiteadduptoprettiness.Herhairwasawarmbrown,hangingroundhershouldersratheruntidily;itcaughtMissRandle’sannoyedeyeandenabledhertovoiceanothergrievance.‘Andyourhair!’shedeclaredseverely.‘Surelyyoucandosomethingaboutit?You’readisgrace—ifanyofthedoctorsweretoseeyoulikethisI’msureIdon’tknowwhattheywouldthink.’

Olympiasaidnothingatall;shewasperfectlywellawarethatherauntknewaswellasshedidthatthedoctorsonlysawherwhenshewasinuniform,herhairsmoothedbackintoaneatbununderaplaincap.Maybeherauntrememberedthistoo,forshedidn’tpursuethematterfurther,but:‘Youareondutyintenminutes—leavetheshoppinginthekitchen,andseethatyou’renotlate.Youmusttryandrememberthatmystaffareexpectedtobepunctual,andthatincludesyou,Olympia.’Shefrownedheavily.‘Sucharidiculousname,’sheaddedcrossly.

AgainOlympiasaidnothing;sheratherlikedhername,althoughshewasawarethatherappearancehardlyjustifiedit.Sheshould,shehadalwaysfelt,havebeenavoluptuousblonde,andstrikinglybeautiful,insteadofwhichshewasalittleontheshortsideandthinwithit,herfeatureswerepleasantlyordinaryandherhair,softandlongthoughitwas,andtendingtocurlnicelyattheendswhenitwasgiventhechance,wasusuallytooseverelydressed.Butherparentswerenottohaveknownthatwhenshewasborn—probablyshehadbeenaveryprettybaby,andsincetheyhadbothdiedinamotoraccidentbeforeshecouldtoddle,theyhadneverknownhowwrongtheywere.

Shewentquietlyfromtheroom,tooktheshoppingtothekitchenwhereshehandeditovertoMrsBlair,thehard-workeddailycook,andreturnedtoherroomtochangeintouniform.

Theroomwaslikethehall,bareandcleanandchilly.Sheshiveredalittleasshetookoffherthings,donnedthebluedressandwhiteapron,fastenedthebluepetershambeltroundherlittlewaist,andfinallysmoothedherhairintoitsdemurebununderhercap.Shehadacoupleofminutestosparestillbeforesheneededtogoonduty,andthethoughtcrossedhermindthatacupofcoffeewouldbenice;butMrsBlairwasalreadycross;bythetimeshecouldcoaxherintogivingheracupitwouldbetoolate.Shetiedthelacesofthesensibleblack

shoesherauntinsisteduponandwentbackupstairs.Thenursinghomecateredfortwentypatients,anditwasalwaysfull;a

numberoftheroomsheldthreebeds,insomecasestwo,andonthefirstfloortherewerethreesingle-beddedrooms,commandinghighfeesforthatveryreason,andusuallyinhabitedbywealthypatientswhodemandedagreatdealofattention,andbecausetheycouldpay,usuallygotit,howevertrivial.

Olympiapassedthesethreedoorsnowandenteredasmallcupboardofaroomwhereamiddle-agedwomaninnurse’suniformwassitting.ShelookedupasOlympiawentinandsmiled.‘I’vejustmadeapotoftea,’shegreetedher.‘Ibetyouhadtospendyouroffdutyshopping,’andatOlympia’snod:‘Ithoughtasmuch—andnowyou’reondutyuntileighto’clockthisevening.’Sheproducedtwomugs.‘It’sreallytoobad;ifIdidn’tneedthemoneysobadlyandlivealmostonthedoorstep,I’dbetemptedtotrymylucksomewhereelseinprotest,butmuchgoodthatwoulddo;you’dgetallmyworktodoaswellasyourown.’

Shespoonedsugarintotheirteasandtheysatdownsidebysideatthedesk.‘How’sHarold?’askedOlympia.HaroldwasMrsCooper’steenageson,

sufferingfrommusculardystrophy,andthereasonwhyshewentouttowork—hewasthereasonwhyshestayedatthenursinghometoo,foritwasonlyafewyardsfromherflat,andbecausenurseswerehardtoget,MissRandlehadreluctantlyallowedhertoworkduringthehourswhichsuitedher.

‘Hehadabadnight,’saidhismother,gettingtoherfeet.‘There’snothingtoreport;they’reallmuchasusual.DoctorCraddockcameandchangedMrsBright’smedicine…I’llbeinattwotomorrow.’Shewenttothedoor.‘MrsDrew’smakingbedsupstairs,andMissSnowisgettingMrKempup.Solong,dear.’

Lefttoherself,Olympiareadthereport,tidiedawaytheteathingsandstartedonhervisitstothepatients.Theywereallelderlygeriatriccases;herauntwouldtakenothingelse,sincemoreacutenursingwouldmeanmorestaffandtrainednursesatthat.Asitwas,shegotbyverywellwithOlympiaandMrsCooper,andMrsDrewandMissSnow,whohadhadnotrainingatallbutlookedlikenursesintheiruniforms.Duringthenightshemanagedwithtwomorenursingaides,goodandcompetentandhard-working,andifanythingneededtheskillofatrainednurse,why,therewasalwaysOlympiatogetupandseetothings.

Thethreepatientswithroomstothemselveswerenicelysettledforthetimebeing;sheclimbedthestairstothefloorabove,whereshegaveoutthemedicines,didabedbath,madeacoupleofbeds,andthenconsiderablylater,climbedthelastnarrowflight.Heretheroomscontainedmorebeds;oneheld

fouroldladies,theotherthreeelderlymen,andalthoughtheywereadequatelylightedandwarmenough,theywereentirelybareofpicturesorornaments.Thepatientsherehadlittlemoney;justenough,withthehelpofrelationswhowerehorrifiedattheideaofsendingtheiroldfolkintohospital,forthefeestobepaid,leavinglittleoverforspending.OlympialongedtotellthemhowmuchbetterofftheywouldbeinageriatricunitinanyofthebighospitalsinLondon;theywouldhavecompanythere,andthetelly,aswellasthelibraryladiescomingroundtwiceaweekandmoreoldladiesandgentlementotalkto.Shewentfromonetootherofthemnow,stoppingtochat,admireknitting,discusstheweatherorlookatsomepictureinapaper.Shealwaysstoppedlongerthansheshouldonthetopfloor,becausethepooroldthingsweremostlyincapableofgettingdownthestairsforthemselves,andAuntMaria,althoughshepaidthemadailyvisit,rarelystoppedformorethanafewmoments.Olympia,tidyingbedsandlisteningwithhalfaneartotheiroccupants,reflectedforthehundredthtimeontheimprovementsshewouldbringaboutifshecouldtakeAuntMaria’splaceandrunthehomeherself.Notthatshelikedgeriatricnursing;shehadlovedherthreeyears’trainingatalargeLondonhospitalandshehaddonewellthere.Shehadwanted,aboveallthings,tospecializeinsurgery,butshehadgivenherwordtoherauntbeforeshebeganhertraining,andshehadn’tbrokenit,althoughsorelytemptedtodoso.

SheknewnowthatAuntMariahadbeenquiteunscrupulousandtotallyunfairtowardsher.True,shehadeducatedherwell,boughthersensible,hard-wearingclotheswhichhadbeenagonytowearinthecompanyofherbetterdressedfriends,andinstilledintoher,overtheyears,thefactthatshemustneverceasetobegratefultoanauntwhohadtakenherasatoddleranddevotedherlifetoherupbringing.Andwhen,attheageoffifteenorthereabouts,Olympiahadexpressedawishtotakeupnursing,heraunthadagreedreadily,atthesametimepointingoutthatOlympia,asagratefulniece,coulddonolessthanhandoverthebulkofhersalary,whenthetimecame,toanauntwhohadspentagreatdealofmoneyovertheyears.Moreover,shehadextractedapromisethatuponthecompletionofhertraining,Olympiashouldreturntothenursinghomeandworkforherauntataverymodestwageindeed,because,itwasmadecleartoher,shewouldbelivingfree,andwhatgirlinthesedayswasluckyenoughtohaveagoodhomewhereshecouldlivefornothing?

Olympia,atthatage,hadn’tknownmuchaboutthat;shepromised,onlyasking:‘AndmayInevergobacktohospital?IthinkIshouldliketobeasurgicalnurse,andperhapsinayearortwo,whenI’vetrained,IcouldgetaSister’spost.’

AuntMariahadlaughed.‘Whyshouldyouwishtoleave?’shewantedto

know.‘Youhaveadutytome,youknow.’‘SupposingIshouldwanttogetmarried?’Olympia,almostsixteen,had

beenaromantic.Heraunthadlaughedagain,alittleunkindly,andhadtakenhertimein

replying.‘Mydear,’shehadsaidatlength,‘Icannotimagineanymanwantingtomarryyou—youaren’tthemarryingtype.’Shehadpickedupherpentosignifytheendoftheinterview.‘Butifsuchanunlikelyeventshouldhappen,thennaturallyyoumayleave.’

Andthathadbeeneightyearsagonow;Olympiahadfinishedschoolanduntilshehadbeenoldenoughtostarthertraining,hadhelpedherauntinthenursinghome,runningerrands,cookingwhenMrsBlairhadadayoff,makingbedsandsortinglinen.ShehadbeeneighteenwhenshehadleftthehousenearPrimroseHillandgonetoliveinhospital,andthenextthreeyearsofherlifehadbeenthehappiestshehadknown.Shehadlovedtheworkandthebusyroutine;shehadmademanyfriendstooandhaddonewell;sowellthatshehadbeenofferedtheSister’spostshehadsomuchlongedfor.ButAuntMariahadnippedthatinthebud;remindingherofherpromise,sothatshehadgonebacktoworkinthechillynursinghomeandwasstillthere,twoyearslater.Andbecauseshewaspaidverylittleandseldomwentout,shemetnooneatall;thedoctorswhovisitedthepatientsweremostlyelderlyGPsandeventhevisitorswereold,oratleast,middle-aged.Atfirst,inhospital,shehadcherisheddreamsofmeetingsomeyoungmanwhowouldwishtomarryherandthussolvethefutureforher,butbeyondoneortwodateswhichhadnevergotbeyondthefirstmeeting,nothinghadhappened.Perhaps,asheraunthadpointedout,shewasn’tagirlmenwouldwanttomarry.

Shewentslowlydownstairspresently,tosupervisethepatients’dinners,thenwentbackupstairstofeedoldMrsBlake,whocouldnolongerfeedherself.Theoldpeoplewereoutoftheirbedsbynow,sittingroundthetable;theyenjoyedtheirmeals,theybrokethemonotonyoftheirdays.Theylingeredovertheirpudding,talkingquiteanimatedly,andafteralittlewhileOlympialeftMissSnowtoattendtotheirlittlewantsandgetthemontotheirbedsfortheirafternoonnap,thenwentdownstairstothedining-roomwhereherauntwaswaiting.Theylunchedquicklywiththeminimumofconversation,andthatpertainingtotherunningofthehome.‘YoumustgodowntoSelfridgestomorrowafternoon,’saidMissRandleassheportionedoutthesteamedpudding.‘Iwantyoutobuysomesheets.’

‘It’smyhalf-dayoff,’Olympiaremindedher.‘I’mawareofthat,butwhatdifferenceshouldthatmake?Iimagineyouwill

enjoygoingtoOxfordStreet—youhavenoplans.’

‘Yes,Ihad,AuntMaria.I’mgoingtotheNationalGallery—there’sanexhibitionofpaintingsIwanttosee,andI’vearrangedtomeetSallyGreyforteaafterwards.’Sallyhadbeenoneofherfriendsathospital.

Heraunthelpedherselftomoresteamedpudding.‘Youcantelephoneherandtellherthatyouwillmeetheronanotherday,’shesaidpositively.‘AsfortheNationalGallery,thereisalwayssomeexhibitionorotherbeingheldthere;youcanseesomethingelselateron.’

Olympiaforborefromcommentinguponthisremark,forsheknewthatitwouldbeuseless;insteadsheaskedreasonably:‘PerhapsyoucouldgotoSelfridges?MrsCooperwillbeonduty…’

Heraunteyedhercoldly.‘WhenIwantyouradviceastowhatIshouldandshouldnotdo,Olympia,Iwillaskforit.YouwillbegoodenoughtogotoSelfridges.Andbytheway,IhaveMrGibsoncomingtosupperandweshallhaveagreatdealtodiscussaboutthenextchurchbazaar,sobesurethatyouarebackhereingoodtime—notlaterthansix—thatwillleavemefreetoentertainhim.’

Olympiasaid:‘Yes,Aunt,’inawoodenvoice,excusedherself,andwentupstairstoherpatients.Itwouldbeverysatisfyingtothrowsomethingatheraunt,shethoughtfiercelyasshebusiedherselfatthemedicinecupboard;itwouldbewonderful,too,topackherbagsandleavethehomeforeverandneverseeAuntMariaagain,onlyifshedidthatshewouldbreakherpromise.Besides,theoldpeopleshelookedaftermightmissher;theywouldcertainlysufferfromtheshortageofstaff—AuntMariawouldhavedifficultyingettinganyonetotakeherplace.Tworoombuzzerssoundedtogether,bothfromthefirstfloor,Olympiasighed,hastilyfinishedwhatshewasdoing,andwenttoanswerthem.

MrsCooperwasnothingifnotpunctualonthefollowingday.Olympiahandedoverthekeys,gaveabriefreportandrushedawaytochange.Shehadn’texpectedtogetawaysoearly,withluckshewouldbeabletospendmostoftheafternoonasshehadplannedafterall.Sheputonthetweedsuitshehadwornnowforacoupleofyears—adull,brownishgarmentofamaterialwhichrefusedtowearout—shewouldbestuckwithitforyears,shethoughtresentfully,tyingherhead-scarfunderherchinandsnatchinguptheleatherglovesshehadsavedsolongtobuy.AuntMariahadbeendisgustedwithherforherextravaganceinpurchasingthem;gloves,shehadargued,didnotneedtobeofleather,therewereseveralgoodimitationsthesedays;neitherdidtheyhavetobepurchasedatHarrods.BritishHomeStores,shehadcontinued,warmingtohertheme,hadanenormousvarietyataveryreasonableprice,anditwasbothunkindandthoughtlessofOlympiatowasteheraunt’smoneyinsuchafashion.ThatOlympiahadworkedhardandlongforasalarynoothergirlwouldhave

dreamedofacceptingseemedtohaveescapedhermind;whenOlympiahadremindedherofit,itwastobringdownastormofrecriminationonherhead.Sheremembereditnowassheletherselfoutofthedoorandheavedasighofreliefatbeingfreeoncemore,evenifonlyforafewhours.ShecaughtthebusgoingdownPrimroseHill,busilyplanningthehoursbeforeher.

Selfridgeswascrowded.Shefoundherwaytothelinendepartment,anduncaringofheraunt’sminuteinstructionsaboutthecarefulexaminationofthesheetsbeforesheorderedthem,chosethefirstpairshewasshown,hadthementeredonMissRandle’saccount,andturnedherattentiontomoreinterestingmerchandise.Colouredsheets,shemused,floweredones,stripeseven,wouldcheeruptheclinicalausterityoftheroomsatthenursinghomeatverylittleextraexpense.Shehadsuggesteditonceandheraunthadbeenhorrified,deploringtheregrettablyextravagantstreakinherniece’scharacter.Olympiawanderedalong,throughthedressdepartmentandthecoats,feastinghereyesupontheclothesshewouldliketowear,giventhechance,untilaglanceattheclockcausedhertoleavethestore.ItwasapityshehadtelephonedSallyandcancelledtheirteatogether;shecouldhavefitteditinnicelyafterall,butshestillhadseveralhourstoherself.Shegotonabusoncemore,gotoffattheNationalGalleryandranupthesteps.Onthelaststepofallshetrippedandfellonherface.

Thehandswhichpickedherupwerelargeandfirmandgentle,theysetheronherfeetwithnofuss,dustedherdown,tweakedherhead-scarfstraightandthendroppedlightlyontohershoulders.

Olympiarubbedasorekneeandlookedupatherrescuer;alargeman,verytallandnotsoveryyoung;forty,shejudged,withpale-colouredhairheavilysprinkledwithgreyandahandsomefacewhichrathertookherbreath.Suchmenseldomcameherway,andnow,shethoughtwithregretandannoyance,shehadtobefoolenoughtofalldownsoabsurdly—hersuitwouldbeamesstoo—sheglanceddownatitandhespoke.Hehadanicevoicetoo,slowanddeepandfaintlyaccented.‘Notmuchharmdone,Ithink—sorekneesperhaps,andabruiseortwo…’

Sheansweredhimshyly.‘Iwasreallymorebotheredaboutmyclothes.’Hisblueeyesstudiedherwithouthaste.‘Nothingaclothesbrushcan’t

tackle.’Hedroppedhishandsfromhershouldersandwentonwithcasualfriendliness.‘Wereyougoingtotheexhibition?Ifso,Idaresayanattendantcouldfindabrushforyou.’

Shenoddedoncemore.‘ButIthinkI’dbettergohome.’Hegaveheranotherlong,consideredlook.‘Surelynoneedforthat?I

suggestthatyougoandtidyyourself,andbesureandwashyourgrazeswith

soapandwater.I’llwaitandwe’llwalkroundtogether.’Hiscoolcommandofthesituationshouldhavenettledher,butitdidn’t.

‘But…’beganOlympia.Heinterruptedhercrisply.‘Wewillintroduceourselves,’hisvoicebecame

mild,‘andthenallwillbemostproper,willitnot?I’mWaldovanderGraaf,’heheldoutalargehandandsheputhersintoitandhewrungitgently.

‘Mine’sRandle—O-Olympia.’Heshowednosignsofamusementbutqueried:‘Youarenotmarried?’Itwasmoreofastatementthanaquestion,andshewincedalittlethathe

shouldhavetakenitforgranted,thoughheavenknewbythelookofherhehadnoreasontosupposeotherwise.Shesaid,‘No,’ratherdefiantly.

Theywentinsidethenandshefoundherself,afterhercompanionhadmurmuredbrieflytooneoftheattendants,beingledawaytoacloakroom,wheremindfulofthelargeman’swords,shewashedthedirtfromherkneesandthenstoodpatientlywhiletheattendantgottoworkonthestains.Shelookedalittlebetterthen,butstillwoefullyinadequatetobeacompaniontosuchahandsomeanddistinguished-lookingman.Shewentbackintotheentrancehall,halfexpectinghimtobegone,buthewasstillstandingwhereshehadlefthim,studyingacatalogueinanunconcernedway,asthoughhehadallthetimeintheworldbeforehim.Helookedupasshereachedhimandsmiled,andthenwithoutspeakingtookherarmandusheredherintothefirstroom.

Theydidn’thurry,andshewassoabsorbedthatshedidn’tnoticethetime;itwasdelightfultobewithsomeonewhoactuallylistenedtoher,andevensharedhertastes,andwhenhedidn’t,refrainedfromramminghisowndownherthroat.Theywerestilllingeringinthelastroomwhenshehappenedtoseeaclock.

‘Imustgo,’shedeclared,appalled.‘It’salmosthalfpastfour,thebusqueueswillbepackedifIdon’thurry—I’llnevergetbackintime.’

Hegaveheraquickside-glance.‘Youhavetoreturnatacertaintime?’Shetoldhim,guardedly,aboutAuntMariaandMrGibsoncomingtosupper.

‘Soyousee,Imust…’shesmiledathim,feelingasthoughhewereanoldfriend.‘It’sbeenalovelyafternoon,thankyou.’

Sheheldoutahand,butinsteadofshakingithetookitbetweenhisown.‘Youhavetobebackbysixo’clock?Timeenoughforacupofteatogether,anditjustsohappensthatIhavetogoto—er—Hampsteadthisevening.Ishouldbedelightedtoofferyoualiftinmytaxi.’

Sheeyedhimuncertainly.‘Butwon’titbe…?Thatis,youwon’tmind?Andyou’llbesureandgetmetherebysix?’

Hesmileddownather,kindandreassuringandyetcasual.‘Crossmyheart—isthatnotwhatyousayinEnglish?’

Theyhadwalkedslowlyoutoftheentranceanddownthestepsastheyweretalking.‘You’renotEnglish?’Olympiawantedtoknow.

‘Dutch,butIcomeoftentoEngland—IhaveEnglishrelations.’Heliftedahandatapassingtaxiandsettledherintoit,thengotinbesideher.Sheheardhimsay:‘FortnumandMason,please,’withasuddenchildishexcitement;shehadneverbeenthereinherlife,notinsideatanyrate.Shesaidnowalittleanxiously:‘I’mnotdressedforasuperplacelikethat,’andwasinstantlyandridiculouslyreassuredbyhisquiet:‘Youareverynicelydressed,MissRandle.’

Allthesame,shewasalittleapprehensiveastheyseatedthemselvesintheeleganttea-room;theplaceseemedtoherexcitedmindtobefulloffurcoatsandwhatthefashionmagazinesalwaysreferredtoaslittledresses,whichcosttheearth,shehadnodoubt.Shetookoffherheadscarfandsmoothedherneatheadwithanervoushandandmethiseyes,twinklingnicely,acrossthetable.‘Tea?’heinquired.‘EarlGrey,Ithink—andbutteredtoastandlittlecakes.’Hisfirmmouthturneditscornersupbriefly.‘IenjoyyourEnglishtea.’

Sheenjoyedittoo;hercompanionhadthegiftofmakingherfeelatease,evenamongsttheGivenchyscarvesandcrocodilehandbags.ShefoundherselftellinghimaboutAuntMariaandthenursinghomeandthenstoppedrathersuddenlybecauseshewasbeingdisloyaltoherauntandhewas,afterall,astranger.Hedidn’tappeartonoticeherdiscomfiture,however,buttalkedon,fillingawkwardpauseswithaneasyblandness,sothatbythetimeshegotuptogoshewasalittlehazyastowhatshehadactuallysaid.

Hetalkednothingsinthetaxitoo,sothatbythetimetheyarrivedoutsidethenursinghomeshehadquiteforgotten,forthetimebeingatleast,agooddealofwhattheyhadtalkedaboutduringtea.

Hegotoutwithherandwalkedtothedoorandwhenshehadbiddenhimgood-byeandopenedit,hegavethecold,austerehallthesameshrewdlookashehadgivenher,buthemadenoremark,merelysaidthathehadenjoyedhisafternoonwithoutevincinganywishtoseeheragain,asindeed,shehadexpected.Shewasnot,sheremindedherselfsadly,thekindofgirlmenwantedtotakeoutasecondtime;shehadnosparkle,nolooksabovetheordinary,andlivingforyearswithAuntMaria,wholikedtodoallthetalking,hadhardlyimprovedherconversation.Shewishedhimgood-byeinaquietlittlevoice,thankedhimagain,andwentintothehouse.

Ifshewasmoresubduedthaneverthatevening,herauntwasfartooabsorbedinherconversationwithMrGibsontonotice;certainlyshehadnotimetoquestionhernieceastohowshehadspentherafternoon,somethingforwhichOlympiawasthankful.Shegotthesupperandcleareditawayagain,thenwenttoherroomwiththeperfectlylegitimateexcusethatshewasondutyearlythe

nextmorning.Butshedidn’tgotobedimmediately;shesatandthoughtaboutMrvanderGraaf;shethoughtabouttheirteatogetherandthen,alittleuneasily,ofthethingsshehadtoldhim;shewasstillhazyastoexactlywhatshehadsaid,butasshewouldneverseehimagain,sheconsoledherselfwiththefactthatitwouldn’treallymatter,hewouldhaveforgottenheralready;hehadwhiskedinandoutofherlife,largeandelegantandverysureofhimself.Olympiasighed,frownedatherreflectionintheold-fashioneddressing-tablemirror,andwenttobed.

CHAPTERTWO

THENEXTFEWDAYSWENTQUIETLYBY.Thelocaldoctorsmadetheirvisitsandrelationsmadetheirinfrequentappearance,andOlympiawentaboutherdutieswithherusualquietcompetence,andverymuchagainstthecounselofhercommonsense,foundherselfthinkingfartoomuchaboutthemanshehadmetsounexpectedly.Ittookherseveraldaystodisciplineherthoughtsintomoreworkadaychannels,andshehadjustachievedthislaudableobjectwhenshewenttoopenthestreetdoorbecausethedailymaidhadn’tcomethatday,andfoundhimonthedoorstep.Notalone—hewaswitholdDoctorSims.DoctorSimswasanolddear,kindandwise,anddespitehisadvancedyears,stillclever.Hewasuntidy,too,androtundandaddictedtosmokingcigars.Hehadoneinhismouthnow;theashfromitfellontohiscoatandheflickeditononesidewithanimpatientfingerwhichscattereditdisastrously.

Hesaidcheerfully:‘Morning,Olympia—don’tstareso,girl,you’veseenmeahundredtimes,anyonewouldthinkthatyouwereseeingapairofghosts.’Hewavedacarelesshandathiscompanion.‘ThisisDoctorvanderGraaf,sonofanoldfriendofmine,nowalas,dead.I’vebroughthimalongtoseeMrsParsons.’

Olympiastoodasidetoallowthemtopassherintothehall,said:‘Howdoyoudo?’totheDutchman’ssobertieandshutthedoorcarefullybehindthem.Heansweredherwithacasualfriendlinesswhichtookawayherawkwardnessimmediately.‘Hulloagain—havethebruisesgone?’

Shenodded,onthepointoffindinghersurprisedtongue,whenDoctorSimsaskedtestily:‘Where’sthegirlwhoopensthedoor?Whyareyoudoingit?’

‘She’stakenadayoff—shedoessometimes,andnobodysaysanythingbecausedailymaidsarehardtoget.Myaunt’sout.I’lltakeyouuptoMrsParsons,shallI?’

Theoldgentlemangrunted,flickedashontothepristinefloorandtookoffhisovercoat.

‘Wellrunplace,’hemumbledtonooneinparticular.‘Clean—food’squitegoodtoo.Warmenough,plentyofbedlinen,butit’salltoostark,notenoughnurseseither.Youraunt’sawomantomakeasuccessofaplacelikethisthough—getsapacketoutofit,Idon’tdoubt.Butyoudothework,don’tyou,Olympia?’

Hestartedupthestairswithherbehindhim,tryingtothinkofsomesuitablereplytomaketothisremark,andbehindhercameDoctorvanderGraaf,silentbutforhisfewwordsofgreeting.Despitehissilence,though,shewasintenselyawareofhim,andastheyreachedthefirstfloorshewasannoyinglysurethatherappearancecouldhavebeenimprovedupon;herhairhadescapedfromtheseverelypinnedbunandwasbobbingaroundherearsinwispycurls.Sheputupatentativehandandarresteditinmid-airwhenhesaidquietly:‘Itlooksnicelikethat,leaveitalone.’

Shedidn’tturnround,thoughsheputherhanddownagainassheledthewayupthenextflightofstairsandthenpausingtoallowDoctorSimstoregainhisbreath,startedupthelastnarrowstaircase.

MrsParsonssharedaroomonthetopfloorwiththreeotheroldladiesbecausethepensionshereceivedasaratherobscureCivilServant’swidowdidn’tstretchtoanythingelse.Shewasveryoldnow,afflictedwithavarietyofminorailmentsandquitealonesaveforanephewwhocametoseeheratChristmas,whocriticizedthetreatmentshewasreceiving,presentingherwithaboxofratherinferiorhandkerchiefswhenhehaddoneso,beforereturningtosomeobscurecountryretreat.Noone,certainlynothisaunt,tookmuchnoticeofhim,andOlympia,backedupbyDoctorSims,haddoneherbesttoactassubstituteforthefamilyshenolongerhad.

Shewasagarrulousoldlady,giventorepeatingherselfcontinuallyandforgettingwhatshehadsaidassoonasshehadsaidit,butthetwodoctorssatdownbesideherchairandtalkedpleasantlyaboutthesmallthingswhichmightamuseher,andlistenedwithpatientkindnesstoherjumbledanswers.ShehadacceptedDoctorSims’companionwithoutsurprise,merelystoppingtoaskhimeveryfewminuteswhathisnamemightbe,andeachtimeheansweredwithnosignofimpatience.Olympia,straighteningbedsnearby,decidedthathewasthenicestmanshehadevermetandcertainlythehandsomest,andwhenhelookedupsuddenlyandsmiledather,shesmiledback,thewholeofherquietlittlefacelightingup.

ThetwomenwentawaypresentlyandOlympiastifleddisappointmentbecauseDoctorvanderGraafsaidnothingmorethanabriefgood-bye.Makingbedsaftertheyhadgone,shetoldherselfthatshehadnoreasontobedisappointed;hehadaskedafterherbruises,hadn’the?andsaidhulloandgood-bye.Whatmorecouldsheexpect?Distinguishedandgood-lookingmenwhoworegoldcufflinksandsilkshirtsandexquisitelytailoredsuitswouldn’tbelikelytolooktwiceatarathercolourlessgirlwho,evenifshehadhadwarningofameeting,wouldstillhavelookedunremarkabledespiteallherbestefforts.HehadbeenniceabouttakinghertoteaatFortnumandMason,though,andhe

hadtoldhertoleaveherhairaloneandithadsomehowsoundedlikeacompliment.

Shedroppedtheblanketshewasspreadingandwenttothemirroroverthewashbasin.Herfacewasfaintlyflushedwiththeexcitementofthevisitorsandtheexertionofbed-making,sothatherhairwasstillcurlinginlittletendrilsroundherears.Shegaveoneanexperimentaltugandthenletitgo;thefrontdoorbelowhadclosedwiththedecisivesnapwhichwasthehallmarkofAuntMaria’scomingsandgoings.Olympiaturnedawayfromthemirror,finishedthebedandwentsoberlydownstairs;herauntwouldexpecthertogoimmediatelytoherofficeandrenderanaccountofwhathadhappenedduringherabsence.

AuntMariadismissedthevisitorwithashrug;DoctorSimshadahabitofbringingfriendswithhimfromtimetotime;theyseldomreturned,shedidn’teveninquirecloselyabouthim,sothatOlympiawassavedthetroubleofsayingmuchabouthim,somethingshehadfeltcuriouslyunwillingtodo;hewasasecret,aratherniceoneandtheonlyoneshehad.Herauntdismissedherwithacurtnodandsentherbacktoherdutieswithoutanyfurtherquestions.

DoctorvanderGraafcameexactlytwodayslater,althoughOlympiawasunawareofhisvisituntilMissSnowcameflutteringupstairswithamessagethatshewastogotoheraunt’sofficeimmediately.OlympiaconsignedoldMrRoss,totteringtoslowrecoveryafterastroke,toMissSnow’scareandwentslowlydownstairs,wonderingwhatshehaddonewrongnow.

ShewasquiteunpreparedforthesightoftheDutchmansittingcalmlyinthechairoppositeheraunt’sdesk,theverypictureofamanwhowasconfidentthathewouldgethisownway.Hegotupasshewentin,smilingalittleathersurprise,andsaideasily:‘Goodafternoon,MissRandle.Ihavebeenpersuadingyouraunttoallowyoutoactasguide;therearethingsIwishtopurchaseandIamwoefullyignorantastohowtosetaboutmyshopping.IrememberedyouandIwonderedifyouwouldbesokind?’

‘Oh,thatwould…’Shepausedandbeganagain.‘You’reverykindtothinkofme,butI’mworkinguntileighto’clock.’

MissRandleinterruptedherinanirritablemanner;shewasn’tusedtopeopleridingroughshodoverherwishes,butsheseemedquiteunabletoarguewiththistiresomegiantofaman.‘Iwillmakeanexception,Olympia,youmaytakeyourfreetimethisafternoon,butyouwill,ofcourse,returntoeveningdutyathalfpastfive.’

Itwasbarelyhalfpasttwo;Olympiamurmureddutifullyandgotherselfoutoftheroom;herauntwouldhavetotakeoveruntilshegotback,therewerenoothertrainednursesonduty—shemightchangehermind,thoughtOlympia,desperatelytearingoffheruniformandputtingonthetweedsuitlikelightning.

Thankheavenitwasafinedayevenifcold.Shedidherhairwithaspeedwhichdidnothingtoimproveherappearance,tuckedasilkscarfgivenherbyagratefulpatientroundherneck,snatchedupherglovesandbagandracedupstairs.Hewasstillthere.Hetookaleisurelyfarewellofheraunt,assuredherofhisgratitude,openedthedoorforOlympiaandcloseditwithfirmnessbehindhim.

‘Whatdoyouwanttobuy?’askedOlympiaatonce.Hestoodonthepavementoutsidethehouse,deepinthought.‘Well,letme

see,somethingforRia—mylittledaughter,youknow.Sheisalmostfiveyearsoldandveryprecocious,I’mafraid.Hermotherdiedaweekorsoaftershewasborn.’

Olympiarestrainedherfeetfromtheimpatientdanceshefeltlikeexecuting;anymomentAuntMariamightchangehermindandtheywerestillstandingjustoutsidethedoor.Quiteshockedatwhathehadtoldher,shesaid,‘I’msorry,’andfeltinadequate.Ofcoursehewouldhavebeenmarried;menlikehimdidn’tgothroughlifelikemonks;perhapshehadlovedhiswifeverymuch,perhapshewasstillgrievingforher.Shetriedagain.‘Itmustbeterribleforyou.’

Helookedtakenaback,butonlyforamoment.‘Riaisahandful,’hesaidblandly.‘Shallwego?’

TheywenttoSelfridges,thistimetothetoydepartment,where,afteraprolongedtourofitsdelights,Olympia,askedtochooseasuitablepresentforafive-year-oldgirlwithoutworryingtoomuchabouttheprice,pickedoutadoll’shouse.Itwasathingwhichsheherselfwouldhavelovedtopossessandneverhad;itwasfurnisheddowntothelastminiaturesaucepaninitsmagnificentkitchen,andwaseverythingwhichalittlegirlcouldwishfor.Shespentalongtimehangingoverit,switchingonthelights,openingandshuttingtheminiaturedoors,rearrangingthefurniture.Whenatlastshelookedupitwastofindhercompanion’sblueeyesregardingherwithatolerantpatiencewhichcolouredhercheekswithguiltypink.Shesaidapologetically:‘Ialwayswantedadoll’shouse—yourlittledaughterwilllovethisone.’

Shewatchedwhilehewroteachequeforit—afabuloussum,sheconsidered,andfelltowonderinghowitwasthathewasabletowritechequeswhenhewasaDutchman,living,presumably,inHolland.Shespokeherthought.‘YouliveinHolland,don’tyou?’

Hesmiled.‘Oh,yes—IhavealargepracticeinthecountrytowncalledMiddelburg.Thatismyhome,butIdoagooddealoflecturing,someofitinEngland.’

Sothataccountedforthechequebook.‘Haveyoubeenhereeversincewe—sinceyouhelpedmethatday?’

‘No.Iwishedtoseeyouagain,soIcameoverthreedaysago.’Shehadnothingtosaytothat,andanywaythesalesladywantedtotalkto

himaboutthepackingupofthedoll’shouse.Whenheturnedtoheragainitwasonlytosay:‘Ithinkwehavetimeforteabeforeyouhavetobeback.ShallwegotoFortnumandMasonagain,orwouldyouprefersomewhereelse?’

Olympiacouldnot,fromherlimitedexperience,thinkofanyplacetobetterit,soshemurmuredapolite:‘Thatwouldbenice,’whilehersoberheadbuzzedwiththeeffortofguessingwhyhehadwantedtoseeher.Theywereinthetaxi,travellinginacompanionablesilence,beforeapossiblereasonstruckher.Hewaslookingforagovernessforhissmalldaughterandhadpickedonher.Thepossibilityofsuchamiraclefilledherwithawarmglowofdelight,tobeinstantlyquenchedbytherecollectionofherpromisetoheraunt—onlyifsheweretomarrymightsheleave,AuntMariahadsaid.Sheclenchedthecheaphandbagonherlapwithsuddenlydesperatefingerssothathercompanion,watchingherfromhiscorner,asked:‘Supposingyoutellmewhat’sbotheringyou?’

Hervoiceroseseveralnotesinitsurgency.‘Nothing—nothingatall.’Hesaid,hismannerveryplacid,‘Wehaven’tknowneachotherverylong,

butIhopedyoumightfeelabletoconfideinme.’Sheturnedtolookathim.‘Confide…?’shebegan,andthen:‘Inyou?’‘Nexttime,perhaps,’herepliedcasuallyasthetaxistopped,andfortherest

oftheirafternoontogether,hetalkedaboutnothinginparticular.Onlyashewalkeduptothefrontdoorofthenursinghomewithherandsheputoutherhanddidhesay,‘I’mcomingin—Iwishtoseeyouraunt.’

Olympiaallowedherhandtodropbacktoherside,pausingbeforesheopenedthedoor.‘Why?’sheasked.

‘IshouldlikehertounderstandquiteclearlythatIwishtogettoknowyou,’hesaidtoastonishher.

Shestaredupathimforalongmomentandspokewistfully:‘Itwon’tbeanygood,youknow,shewon’tletmego…’Andshewasunawareofwhatshehadsaid.

Hesmiled,buthisvoicewasfirm.‘Ithinkthatshewill.’Olympiaopenedthedoor.Shehadneverknownanyonegetthebetterof

AuntMaria,butpresumablytherehadtobeafirsttimeforeverything.Shewishedhimsuccessfromthebottomofherheart.‘I’llseeifshe’sinheroffice,’sheoffered,andlefthimstandinginthechillofthehall.

Shewasbackwithinaminute.‘Auntwillbepleasedtoseeyou,’shetoldhim,andshivered.Hepausedbesideherandputahandonhershoulder.‘Thisdamnedcoldhall,’heremarkedfeelingly,thenastonishedherbyasking,‘Why

areyoucalledOlympia?’Shesmiledthenandhereyeswidenedandtwinkledathimsothatshe

lookedpretty.‘Fatherwasanarchaeologist,hemetMotherduringadiginGreece.I—Ilikeit.’

‘SodoI.’Hewentthroughthedoorbehindherashespoke,leavinghertorundownstairsandchangebackintouniform.

Shehadnomomentoftimeinwhichtothinkabouthimafterthat;heraunthaddonenoneofthethingsthenursesdidtowardseasingtheevening’swork.Therewerebedstoturndown,medicinestogive,suppertraystolay,theoldpeopletohelpwiththeirpreparationsforbed,andMissSnow,ifsheweretobebelieved,hadbeenlefttocopewiththepatients’teasallbyherselfandwassoincensedinconsequencethatOlympiatooktenminutesofherprecioustimetosootheherdownandpersuadehernottogiveinhernoticethenandthere.Perhaps,shethought,asshedishedoutthelightsupperatagreatrate,itwouldbeaswellifAuntMariatoldDoctorvanderGraafnottocallagain.

Butshehadn’t,orifshehad,hehadtakennonoticeofher,forhecameagaintheverynextday,thistimeinthemorningjustasOlympiawasgoingoffdutyforthesplitherauntinsistedwasnecessaryforhertotaketwiceaweek—thatmeantthatshewentondutyathalfpastseveninthemorning,wasfreefromhalfpasttenuntiloneo’clock,andthenworkedthroughtheremainderofthedayuntilthenightstaffcameon,awretchedarrangementwhichnohospitalnursewouldhavetoleratedunlesscircumstancesmadeitvital.Shefoundhimstandinginthehallonthewaydowntoherroomandhadgivenhimarathersurprisedgoodmorning,followedbyaninquiryastowhetherhewishedtoseeherauntagain.

‘Godforbid,’hesaidquietly.‘I’vecomeforyou.Yourauntgavemethetimesofyouroffduty—Ithoughtwemightgosomewhereandhavecoffee—lunchisoutofthequestion,Itakeit.’

Hestoodlookingather,hisheadononeside.‘Ithoughtthatthemodernnursehadimprovedherlottoacertainextent;itseemsthatdoesn’tapplytothisplace.’

‘Myaunthasn’tmanynurses—onlymeandMrsCooper,andshe’spart-time.MissSnowandMrsDrewaren’ttrained—they’reverygood,though.’

‘Youdonotcomplain.Isuspectthatthewriterofthatpoem—Ican’tremembermuchofit—hadyouinmindwhenshewrote:“Whilejusttheartofbeingkindisallthesadworldneeds.”’

Shewasquiteshocked.‘Oh,youmustn’tthinkthat;I’mnotkindatall.SometimesIcouldleaveeverythingjustasitis,andrunthroughthedoor—ifyouknewhowIwanttoescape…’

‘Butyoudon’t?’‘Ipromised…Iexplainedtoyou…’Hedidn’tanswer,onlysmiledatherandtoldhertogoandputonsomething

warm;theMarchwindwascold,asthoughitweremakingalastefforttokeepAprilatbay.Olympiaputonthesuitagainandtiedascarfoverherhairbecausetheonlyhatshehadwasadrearyaffairreservedforchurch.Theyweregoingtohavecoffee,hehadsaid—therewereplentyofsmallcafésnottoofaraway,andnoneofthemhadasmartclientele.Shesighedunconsciouslyassheranupstairstojoinhim;perhapstoday,ifhehadgothiswaywithAuntMaria,hewouldofferherajob.Herheartleaptattheprospectandshebeamedathimasshereachedthehall.

Therewasataxiwaitingandshelookedathimquestioninglyasshegotin.‘Awretchedday,’heoffered.‘Ithoughtwemightgosomewherewarmandcheerful.’

TheywenttoasmallViennesecafénearBondStreetandovertheirdeliciouscoffeeandcreamycakes,Olympiafoundherselftalkingtohercompanionasthoughshehadknownhimallherlife.Indeed,afterwards,whenshewasbackinthehome,oncemoreatwork,shechidedherselffortalkingtoomuch.Shewouldhavetoguardhertongue,forhehadawayofaskingquestions…shefrowned,notthatthatmattered;hehadsaidnothingaboutseeingheragain.

Butitwasthefirstofasuccessionofsimilaroutings.Olympia,longingtoaskhimwhathehadsaidtoherauntsothatladyhadraisednoobjectionstohiscontinuedvisits,madewild,unsatisfyingguessesastohisreasonsforwishingtoseekhercompany;surelyifhehadwantedherforajobhewouldhavementioneditbynow.Buthisvisitscontinued,sometimeswithDoctorRoss,butmoreoftenhisarrivalwastimedtocoincidewithheroff-duty.Itwasattheendofasecondweekofafternoonwalksandleisurelycoffeedrinkingthatsheventuredtoaskhimifhewasonholiday.TheywerestrollingroundtheZooatthetime,takingadvantageofthethinAprilsunshineandwatchingtheanticsofthemonkeys.

Heturnedtolookather.‘No,’hetoldherwithdeliberation,‘Ihavebeenattendingaseminar—itfinishestomorrow.Iamalsovisitinganaunt—anEnglishwoman,thewidowofmyfather’selderbrother.’Hesmiledsuddenly.‘Ishouldlikeyoutomeether.Youarefreetomorrowafternoon,areyounot?’

Shenodded.‘Good—Iwillcallforyouabouttwoo’clock.’‘ThenyouwillbegoingbacktoMiddleburg?’‘Yes.’Theystrolledoninsilencewhileshethoughtthatthiswastheend—

well,almosttheend,oftheirfriendship.Shewasgoingtomisshimverymuch,

therewasnodenyingthatfact;whattohimhadbeenasmallinterludehadbeenforheradelightfulfewweeksinherdulllife.Ofcourse,sheknewverylittleabouthimandnothingatallofhislife—justaswellperhaps,sinceshewasunlikelytohaveaplaceinitaftertomorrow.Theseratherunhappythoughtswereinterruptedbyhischeerful:‘Howabouttea?There’stimeenoughbeforeyouhavetogoback.’

Shedressedwithextracarethefollowingafternoon;thesametweedsuit,ofcourse,buthavingreceivedhermiserablesalaryadayorsoearlier,shehadboughtanewwoollyfromMarksandSpencer—apaleapricotwhichgaveherfaceapleasantglowandcheeredupthesuitenormously;shehadboughtabrownvelvetbowtosetinfrontofherbunofhair,too;studyingherselfinthelonglookingglassatthebackofthehall,shedecidedthatshewasatleastpresentablealthoughwoefullydowdy.Itwastobehopedthattheauntwasn’tafashionableoldladywhowoulddespiseher.

Itseemedatfirstthatherforebodingsmightprovetrue.Theyhadwalked,sheandthedoctor,foritwasafinedayandhisauntlivedinLittleVenice,inoneoftheterracesfacingtheGrandUnionCanal.TheyhadenteredtheparkthroughtheGloucesterGateandcrosseditdiagonallytoarrivewithinastone’sthrowofarowofsubstantialhouses.

‘Aflat?’hazardedOlympia,gazingupattheirsolidfronts,withtheirwell-painteddoorsandwindowboxes.Hercompaniontookherarmandguidedherthroughasolidgatesetbetweenequallysolidwalls.

‘No—thewholehouse.’Hepealedthebellandthedoorwasopenedwithalacritybyaneatelderlywomanwhosmiledatthemastheywentin.InthehallhehelpedOlympiaoutofherjacket,divestedhimselfofhisowncoatandthrewitonachairinwhatsheconsideredtobearathercarelessmanner,andupontheelderlywomanbeggingthemtogoupstairs,didso,takingOlympiawithhim.

Theroomtheyenteredwasveryfine;large,andfilledwithlargefurnituretoo,coveredwithsilverphotoframesenclosingavarietyofout-of-datephotographs,anastonishingassortmentofchinaandsilverandthewholeshroudedwithheavydarkbluecurtainshalfdrawnovertheold-fashionedNottinghamlacewhichscreenedthewindows.Andtheladywhocameacrosstheroomtomeetthemmatcheditverynicelyforsize;shewastallandstout,withastraightbackandaproudlyheldheadcrownedwithiron-greyhair,dressedsmoothly.Shemighthavebeenanyagefromthelightnessofherstepandtheeleganttimelessnessofherclothes.Olympia’sheartsank;shehadnoideawhyDoctorvanderGraafhadbroughtherherewithhim,butshefeltsurethatithadbeenamistake.Onlyhisfirmhandunderherarm,propellinghergentlyforward,preventedherfromturningtailandracingawayfromsomeone

shefeltinstinctivelywouldmakeherfeeldowdierthanshealreadywas.Shecouldn’thavebeenmoremistaken;hercompanion’s,‘Hullo,Aunt

Betsy,’changedeverything.Themajestic,elegantwomansurgingtowardsherwasn’tanyonetobenervousofafterall;herexquisitelymadeupfaceworeabeamingsmileandhervoicewhenshespokecouldonlybedescribedascosy.

‘Waldo,dearboy—andthisisOlympia.’Sheturnedherbeamuponher.‘Dearchild,howaccuratelyhedescribedyoutome.Comeandsitdownandtellmeallaboutyourself.’

Olympiasat,notsureifherhostessreallywantedthedetailsofherratherprosaiclife,butshewassavedfromansweringbecauseAuntBetsywentonalmostwithoutpause:‘Thatisacharmingcolour—oneofMarksandSpencer’s,ofcourse.Youshouldwearitoften—Ialwaysbuymywoolliesthere.’

Thisreassuringlyhomelyremarkgotthemwelllaunchedintoacomfortablechataboutclothes,withherhostesssustainingamonologuewhichneedednothingaddedsaveanodandasmilefromtimetotime,whichgaveOlympiatheopportunitytothinkthatshelikedMrsvanderGraafverymuchandhowniceitwouldhavebeenifAuntMariahadbeenlikeher.

‘Pink,withmarabouroundthehem,’saidherhostess,cuttingintoherthoughts,andfollowedthatwith:‘Yes,yes,Waldo,youareapatientman,Iknow,butIcanseethatyouwishtobealonewithOlympia.IshallgoandseeifMaryhastheteaready,butinhalfanhourIshallreturn,Iwarnyou—Ilikemyteaatfouro’clockanditisnowpreciselyhalfpastthree.’Shesailedmajesticallytothedoor,smilingattheminturnandstoppedtopeckthedoctor’scheekwhenheopenedthedoorforher.

Olympia,sittingontheedgeofalargebrocadecoveredchair,watchedherdeparturewithsomesurprise.Whenthedoctorhadshutthedoorbehindhisaunt,sheasked:‘Whateverdidshemean?Whydoyouwanttobealone…’Shestopped;ofcourseitwasaboutthejobhewasgoingtoofferher—hehadbroughtheralongtobevettedbyhisauntbeforeofferingittoherandpresumablyshewassatisfactory.Shesighedwithrelief.‘Oh,soyouaregoingtooffermethejobafterall.’

Helookedastonished,butonlyforamoment;theastonishmentwasreplacedbyamusement.‘Withmylittledaughterinmind?’

‘Well,ofcourse.’Olympiahesitated.‘Youdidsaythatshewasbadlyinneedofsomeonetomotherher.’Shewentalittlepink.‘I’msorry,Ishouldn’thavesaidanything—itwasonlyaguessbecausethat’swhyIthoughtyouwantedtogettoknowme,andanyway,evenif…’Shelookeddownatherclenchedhandsinherlap.‘AuntMariawouldn’tallowit.’

Hestrolledacrosstheroomandsatdownfacingher.‘Iaskedyoutocome

herewithmebecauseIwantedtotalktoyouandIdislikeholdingprivateconversationsintaxisorsometea-shoporother,notbecauseIwantedAuntBetsytolookyouover.’Hesmilednicelyather.‘SheknowsthatIamquitecapableofdoingmyownlookingover.Andyoumadenomistake,itdoesconcernyouandRia,butnot,Ithink,inquitethemanneryouhaveassumed.Ihavenointentionofofferingyouajob,Olympia.Ishouldlikeyoutomarryme.’

Shehadthepeculiarsensationthatshewasn’tsittingontheenormouschairatall,butfloatinginnothing.Theroomcameandwentinaratheralarmingmannerandthesilencewhichfollowedhiswordsseemedtogoonforever.Presentlyshefoundhervoicetosay:‘Youdidsaymarryyou?’

‘Yes.’Hewassittingback,quiteatease.Therewereagreatmanythingsshecouldhavesaid,butshediscardedthem

allinfavourofabald:‘Why?’‘Becauseitisobviouslysuchasuitablearrangementforbothofus…’Shedidn’tlethimfinish.‘Youcan’treallymeanthat!’andknewasshesaid

itthathemostcertainlydid.Hecontinuedjustasthoughshehadsaidnothingatall.‘Yousee,Olympia,I

needsomeonetocareforRia,toloveher,ifpossible,andcheckhertantrumsand,asyousoaptlyputit,motherher.Ineedsomeonetorunmyhousetoo—Ihaveanadmirablehousekeeper,butshecannotplayhostesstomyfriendsorarrangedinnerpartiesormakeahomeofit.Andyou—youwanttogetawayfromthatdomineering…Ibegyourpardon—fromyourauntandthatdrearyhome.Youtoldmeyourselfthatyouhadpromisedtoremainthereunlesssomeoneaskedyoutomarryhim.Well,Iamthatsomeone;weshallbothbehelpingeachother,andIthinkwehaveseensufficientofeachothernowtoknowthatweshallgetalongverywell.Youwon’tseeagreatdealofme,butbeinganurse,youarealreadyawareofthekindoflifeIlead,andweneitherofuscomplicatethesituationbyouremotions.’

Olympiareceivedthisdry-as-dustspeechinsilenceandtookhertimeinansweringit.‘Idon’tquiteunderstandwhyyouhaven’tjustaskedmetobeagoverness—Imeanyoudon’treallywantawife,doyou?’

Heconsideredgravelybeforehereplied.‘Awifeintheacceptedsense,no.ButasItoldyou,Ineedsomeonetorunmyhomeandactashostessandofcourse,careforRia,someonewhoisagoodfriend,whowillfitintomywayofliving.’Hissmilewaskind;hewasquiteunawareofherpoortrampledfeelings.‘Besides,Ienjoyyourcompany,Olympia.Youarerestfulandsensibleandeven-tempered.’

Shefeltalmostinsulted;thereweresurelyotheradjectiveshemighthaveused.Whowantedtobeanyoftheseworthythings?Andhewaswrongabout

hereventemper;shewasawarethatbeneathherserenefrontshewasnicelyontheboil.

‘Youmightcometodislikemeinamonthorso—evenafteranumberofyears.’

Heshookhisheadanddeclaredpositively:‘No,myopinionsdonotchangeeasily.Ilikeyou,Olympia,andshallalwaysdoso,whateverhappens.’

Hehadananswerforeverythingandsheknewnothingatallabouthim,onlythefewbarefactshehadtoldher,andyetshetrustedhim,andhehadsaidthathewouldlikeherforhiswife—anunusualkindofwife,shethoughtruefully,buthalfaloafwasbetterthannobread.ShewasunhappyinthehouseonPrimroseHillandasfarasshecouldseeintothefuture,shehadnohopeofleavingitunlessshemarried.AuntMariawasbarelymiddle-agedandlikelytoliveformanyyearstocome.Shehadanunhappylittlepictureofherselfinten,twentyyears’time,withnotevenyouthtogiveherordinaryfaceanedgeofattractiveness.Undoubtedlythiswasherchance—shefrownedassherememberedtheoldpeopleshelookedafter.‘There’snoonetodomyworkifIgo,’shetoldhiminasmallvoice.‘MrsCooper’sonlypart-time,therehastobeatrainednurse…besides,therewillbenooneatnighttogetup…’

Thedoctor’seyesnarrowed.‘Yougetupatnightaswellasworkingduringtheday?’

‘Well,Ihaveto.’Shespokealmostdefensively.‘Ifsomethinghappensthatneedsatrainednurse.’

‘Sothatiswhyyouhaveshadowsunderyoureyes—youarealsotoothin.’Shebrushedthisasidealmostimpatiently;whatdiditmatterifshewasthin

andplainwithit?Hewasn’tmarryingherforherlooks,washe?Shespokesuddenly.‘It’snotbecauseyoupityme,isit?’

Hislipstwitchedalittleatthefiercenessofherlook.‘No,Idon’tpityyou,Olympia.’Hehadgotupandwasstandingbyoneofthewindows,lookingather.‘Ithinkyoumustn’thuntaroundinyourheadforreasonswhicharen’treasonsatall.IhavetoldyouwhyIshouldliketomarryyou;therearenootherreasons—noneatall.ButIhavetakenyoubysurprise,haven’tI?Perhapsyouwouldlikealittletimetodecide?’

‘Yes,please.’‘I’llcallandseeyoutomorrow.Youareoffdutyinthemorning,aren’tyou?’

Headdedkindly:‘Andifitwillhelpyouinanyway,Iwillundertaketofindanursetoreplaceyou,immediately.’

‘Oh,willyoureally?I…’ShestoppedbecausethedoorhadbeenthrownopenandMrsvanderGraaf,followedbyMarycarryingthetea-tray,camein.

Shebegantotalkthemomentshewasintheroom,butnotaboutthem;

everyothersubjectunderthesun,Olympiacouldn’tfailtonotice,butnotonequestion,notevenalookofinquiry.Theyatetheirtea,bornealongonatideofcheerfulconversationwhichOlympiafoundsoothingafterherrathersurprisingtalkwiththedoctor.Andwhenshewentbackwithhimpresently,bytaxithistime,thesubjectlyingsoheavilyonhermindwasn’tmentioned.Indeed,backinherlittlebasementroom,shewonderedifshehaddreamedthewholething.Anobservationofheraunt’scameintoherhead.‘Sleeponit,’shewouldsay.Olympiasleptonit.

CHAPTERTHREE

SHESLEPTSOUNDLY,WITHNOhalf-hoped-fordreamstoofferhertheirguidance,andthepleasedoldfaceswhichwelcomedherasshebeganhermorning’sworkofferedheramutebutsoundreasonforrefusingthedoctor’soffer,althoughhehadsaid—no,promised—thathewouldfindsomeonetotakeherplace.Buthermindwasmadeupforherinquiteanothermanner;shehadbeengettingtheoldpeopleonthetopflooroutoftheirbedswhenheraunthadwalkedin.Shehadnoddedbrieflytothepatients,forthiswasn’therusualmid-morningroundwhenshestoppedandspokebrieflytoeachoneofthem,carefulnevertogivethemachancetosaymuchthemselves,butnowherinterestwascentreduponherniece.

‘Comeoutside,NurseRandle,’sheinvitedinavoicewhichbodednogoodforOlympia,andoncetheywereoutsideonthelittlelanding,‘Ihavebeenconsideringthematter,Olympia,andIhavedecidedthatthereisnopointinseeinganymoreofDoctorvanderGraaf.’Shefrowned.‘Indeed,IcannotimaginehowIeverallowedmyselftobepersuadedinthefirstplace—however,Ifeelsurethatbynowhewillbeonlytoogladtohaveadecisionmadeforhim.Ifeelsuretoothathemustbeheartilysickofyoubynow;probablyheistookindamantosayso.WhenhecomesagainIshalltellhimthatyouhavedecidednottoseehimagain.’

Olympiachokedbackrage,humiliationandsheerfrightthatwhatheraunthadsaidmightbetrue—buthowcoulditbe?Shesaidinaquietlittlevoicewhichgavenohintofherstrongfeelings,‘Youaremistaken,Aunt,andIcan’tseewhyIshouldn’tgooutwithDoctorvanderGraafifIwantto.He’scomingtoseemethismorning…’

‘He’shere,’interposedthedoctorfromthestairsbehindthem,andbeforeeitheroftheladiescouldsayaword:‘Goodmorning,andbeforeyousayanythingfurther,MissRandle,IhaveaskedOlympiatobemywife…’Hepausedforasecondandshotaglanceatherandsomethinginherwhitefacemusthavegivenhimhisanswer,forhewentonsmoothly:‘Andshehasconsented.’HecrossedthelandingandtookOlympia’shandinhisandsmileddownather,andshe,feelingthateventsweremovingoftheirownaccordwithoutanyhelpfromher,smilednervouslyback.

‘Ishallnotallow…’beganMissRandle,muchincensed.

‘Oh,butIthinkyouwill.HasnotOlympiahonouredherpromisetoyouforanumberofyears?Nowitisyourturntodothesame,MissRandle.’Hisvoicewasblandenough,buthedidn’tsmileandhiseyeswerecool.

‘I…’beganOlympia,wishingtoputheroarin,andwashushedbeforeshecouldsayanotherwordbythedoctorwhowentoninaconversationalmanner,‘Aquietwedding,Ithink,ifOlympiaagrees.WeneitherofushavemanyfriendsinLondon,andnofamily.Youwill,ofcourse,havenoobjectiontoherleavingatonce,MissRandle?Ihavebeenfortunateenoughtofindsomeonewhowilltakeherplaceimmediately.’

‘Now?’Theyspoketogether,staringathim,MissRandlewithafuriousfacesuffusedwithwrath,Olympiawithdelightandreliefandakindofwonder.Anyminutenow,shethought,IshallopenmyeyesandfindI’vebeendreaming.

‘Now,’saidDoctorvanderGraafinagentlevoicewhichneverthelessinvitedobedience,‘ifyouwillpackwhatyouneed,deargirl,Iwillwaitforyou.’

AuntMarialookedtobeonthepointofapoplexy.‘Thereisnoonetodoherwork—Icannotpossiblymanage—thisismostunethical!’

Heagreedcheerfullyandwentonsmoothly:‘ThenurseIhavesecuredwillarrivethisafternoon,MissRandle.Shewill,ofcourse,expecttobepaidthesalaryagreedbytheGeneralNursingCouncil,andsinceyouhavementionedthewordunethical,IwonderwhatsalaryyouhavebeenpayingOlympia?Not,Ifancy,theamounttowhichshehasbeenentitled.’HegaveherablandsmileandpushedOlympiagentlytowardsthestairs.‘Goalong,’hetoldher,‘thoughperhapsyouhadbettersaygoodbyetoyourpatientsfirst.’

Shelookedathim;itwaslikeadreamstill.‘Ifeelverymeanleavingthem.’‘Youshallcomebackandvisitthem,that’sapromise.Besides,theywillbe

delightedtoknowthatyouaregoingtobemarried.Everyonelikesawedding,youknow.’

Ittookherhalfanhourtopackherthings,andbarelyfiveminutesinwhichtosaygood-byetoAuntMaria,whowashedherhandsofherinnouncertainterms,predictedthatnogoodwouldcomeofitandthatOlympiawouldlivetoruetheday.‘Anddon’tcomerunningbacktome,mygirl,forI’llnotliftafingertohelpyou,justyourememberthat.’

‘I’msorryyou’reangry,’saidOlympia,anxioustopartfriendseventhoughshewasgladtobegoing.

‘Angry?’herauntsnappedback.‘OfcourseI’mangry;theyearsI’vedevotedtoyou,givenyouahome,educatedandclothedyou…’

‘AndtheyearsI’veworkedforyouforlittlemorethanpocketmoney!’retaliatedOlympia,stungtosuddenindignation.‘AndIwouldhavegoneonfor

therestofmylifeifDoctorvanderGraafhadn’tcomealong.’‘Andmayyouneverlivetoregrettheday,’washeraunt’spartingshot.Therewasobviouslynomoretobesaid;Olympia,withamurmuredgood-

bye,lefthersittingatherdesk,herheadalreadybowedoverthepapersbeforeher.

DoctorvanderGraafwaswaitinginthehall,pacingupanddown,hishandsbehindhisback,deepinthought.Heshotherapenetratinglookasshewenttowardshimandsaidonahalflaugh:‘Don’tstoptohavesecondthoughts.Iknowexactlywhatisinyourmind;regretsandahalf-formedresolutiontomakeamartyrofyourself—andhowwillyourauntmanageandwhatabouttheoldpeople.’Hecaughtherhandinhis.‘Olympia,Ipromiseyouthateverythingwillbeallright.Willyoutrustme?’

Shestudiedhiskindblueeyes.‘Yes.’Sheevenachievedsomesortofasmile,becausenomanwantedawateringpotforawife.‘WhereamItogo?’

‘AuntBetsy,justuntilIcanmakearrangementsforustogetmarried.’‘Oh,Icouldn’t!’Theyweregettingintothetaxiwhichthedoctorhad

prudentlykeptwaiting.Hesaidplacidlyashegotinbesideher:‘Doyoudislikehersomuch?Iadmitshe’sformidableinappearance,but

shehasthekindestheartimaginable—besides,shelikesyou.’Sheansweredhimalittlebreathlessly;thingshadhappenedsofastthatshe

feltatthatmomentthatshewouldnevercatchupwiththem.‘Doesshe?Ilikehertoo,onlyIthought…’

Heobservedunexpectedly:‘Youhaveneverhadachancetospreadyourwings,haveyou,Olympia?Ithinkthatyouwillfindtheworldfullofpeoplewhowilllikeyou.’

‘AuntMariaalwaystoldme…’beganOlympiaalittleunhappily.‘YourAuntMaria,’saidthedoctordeliberately,‘isanodiouswoman,bent

onmakingyouherslaveforaslongassheneededyouandtakinggrossadvantageofyourgentlenature.Sheismakingafortunefromthatnursinghomeofhers,andalthoughIgrantyouthatitiswellrunandthepatientscaredforadequately,shedoesitpurelyforbusinessreasonsandnotoutofpityforherlessfortunatefellowbeings.Sheisahardwomanandyouarewellshotofher.’

Olympiawasregardinghimwithanawakenedinterest;hehadnevertalkedlikethisbefore,heseemedsuddenlyagreatdealyoungerandmuchmoreapproachable.

‘Butshetoldmethatshewasonlyjustabletomakeendsmeet—that’swhyshedidn’tpaymeverymuch.’

‘Howmuch?’Shementionedthemiserablesumandwasansweredbyanindignant:‘Good

lord,barelyenoughtokeepyouinstockings—orisittights?’Hiseyesurveyedthetweedsuit.‘Sothat’swhyyouwearthatthingallthetime.’

Shesatupverystraight,hervoicetart.‘Thatisveryrude,’shetoldhim.‘Itis—was—quiteagoodtweedwhenIboughtit.’

Hegrinned,quiteunabashed.‘I’msorry.DoesithelpifItellyouthatyouwouldlookniceinanything?Anddeargirl,sincewearetobemanandwife,letusbehonestwitheachother.Wearealreadygoodfriends,letusremainso,withnofalsepridebetweenus,andifwemust,letusargueandquarrelandmakeitupagain,justbecausewearefriends,andmorethananythingelse,letusenjoyeachother’scompany.’

Olympiareceivedthisspeechwithmixedfeelings;thedoctorsoundedsoverysureofhimself,ratherlikeacook,who,havinggotholdofagoodrecipe,wasconvincedthatcomewhatmay,itwouldturnouttobeasuccess.Shenodded,bolsteredupbyadeterminationtomaketheirmarriagesucceed.

Shewasgivenawelcomesuchasshehadneverhadbeforeinherlife.MrsvanderGraaf,itseemed,couldthinkofnothingnicerthanthatOlympiashouldstaywithherforaslongasshewished.Shewassweptupstairs,herhostesssteamingaheadoftheconvoy,asitwere,withOlympia,flankedbyMary,andthedoctor,burdenedwithherluggage,bringinguptherear.Thestairsledtoalandingwithfourdoors.MrsvanderGraafopenedoneofthemandusheredherpartyinside.Theroomwasnotover-large,butbyOlympia’sstandards,theepitomeofluxury.Thefurniturewaspaintedwhiteandthebedwascoveredwithapinksatinbedspreadandeider-downwhichlookedfartoomagnificentforuse.

Therewereagreatmanylittletablelampsdottedabout,withfrillyshadestiedwithvelvetribbons,andtheyandthecurtainsandcarpetwereofadeepershadeofpinkwithadelicatepatternofblueuponthem.Itwasthesortofbedroomanygirlwouldhaveloved;perhapsalittleexaggeratedinitsprettiness,buttoOlympia,freshfromherausterelittleroom,itwasperfection.ShestoodspeechlesswhileMarydisposedofherluggageandMrsvanderGraafinspectedthesmallpileofbooksonthebedsidetable,givingitheropinionthatafewmagazineswouldn’tcomeamiss.Shethentweakedthecounterpaneintoevensmootherfolds,beggedOlympiatoremovehercoatandtidyherselfandthencomedownstairsforaniceglassofsherrybeforelunch.

Theydrankitinthesitting-roomandtheconversationwasquiteimpersonal,sustainedalmostwhollybythedoctorandhisaunt.Presently,however,whatwiththesherryandthereturnofherself-confidenceOlympiabegantojoininthetalk,andbecausebothauntandnephewsharedthegiftofputtingpeopleattheirease,shebegantofeelnormalagain,andnotsomeonelivinginadream,althoughheavenknewthatlifeseemedstrangeenoughatthemoment.They

wereonthepointofgoingintolunchwhenherhostessremarked,‘YoumustbewonderingwhyIhaven’twishedyouhappiness,Olympia,butyoulooked…nevermindthatnow.ButIdo,child,wholeheartedly.Youwillbothofyoubeveryhappy.’

Shenoddedherheadindeepsatisfactionandledthewaytothedining-room.Thedoctorleftafterlunchandasshehadhadnochancetospeaktohim

alone,Olympiasawhimpreparingtoleavewithsomethinglikepanic.Hewishedhergood-byematter-of-factlyandadded,‘Totziens,’andwhenshewantedtoknowwhatthathadmeant,said:‘Isuppose“Untilwemeetagain”isasgoodatranslationasany.’

‘WhenshallIseeyou?’shewantedtoknowinavoicewhichheldsuddenpanic.

‘Thisevening.Ithoughtthatwemightgooutandcelebrate,youandI.Wouldyoulikethat?’

Shenodded,enchantedattheidea,thenrememberedunhappily:‘Ihaven’tanythingtowear—Icouldn’tpossiblygo,Ihaven’tevengotapartydress.’

Hewasatthedoor,lookingverylargeinhiscoatandveryreassuringtoo.‘Mydear,myauntwilltakeyououtwithherthisafternoonandyoushallchooseeverythingyouneed—myweddingpresenttoyou.’

Shethankedhimshylyandhebentandkissedhercheek,ratherawkwardly,asthoughhewasn’tsureaboutit.

Theafternoonwasthemostwonderfulshehadeverknown;itwasasifallthebirthdaytreats,Christmaspartiesandpresentswhichshehadneverhad,combinedtogethertomakeherwildestdreamscometrue.TheywenttoHarrods,driventhereinanelderlyRolls-Roycebyanequallyelderlychauffeur,andonceinthestoretheyrepairedtotheGowndepartmentwhereMrsvanderGraaf,apparentlyawell-knowncustomer,commandedinstantattention.Seatedboltuprightandwiththeheadsaleswomanincloseattendance,shebeganbriskly:‘Now,Olympia,lookaroundyouandchooseafewdressestotryon.’Shepeeredintoalittlenotebookshehadtakenfromherhandbag.‘Letmesee—acoupleofeveningdresses,Ithink,andsomethingprettyfordinner—asuitandalightcoatandsomethingfortheday—undies,ofcourse—butletusgetthedressesfirst.’

Olympiaheardherout,hereyesgettingrounderandrounder.ShefastenedthemuponthesaleswomanwhoretreatedtoatactfuldistancewhileOlympiasaidinafrenziedwhisper:‘MrsvanderGraaf,Icouldn’tpossibly—Ithinkthere’ssomemistake.Why,that’sseveraloutfits,notjustone,andthis…’Shelookedaroundherattheopulenceoftheirsurroundings,‘isn’ttherightdepartment—it’sthemodelgowns,fartooexpensive.’

MrsvanderGraafsmiledwithkindlyamusement.‘Dearchild,Isuppose

Waldoneglectedtotellyouthathewasarichman?Ithoughtso.Iassureyouthatyoucanchooseanythingyoulikewithoutfearofbankruptinghim.’

Olympiahadcaughtsightofablueconfectiondrapedtantalizinglyoveranelegantchair.‘Oh,’shebreathed,‘Ididn’tknow.WillyoutellmeifIspendtoomuchmoney?’

Hercompanionreassuredheronthispointandsuggestedthatshemightliketotakeacloserlookatthebluedress,somethingwhichshewasonlytoopleasedtoagreeto.

Theballhadbeensetrolling;thedresswaspronouncedtobeexactlyright,anexquisitefitandjustthethingforher.Soforthatmatterwasthedeceptivelysimplecreamorganzathesaleswomanoffered,alsothedeeppinkchiffon,withitslongfullsleevesanddemurehighneck,sorightforaquietlittledinnerparty.Feelingthatshewouldwakeatanymomentandfindherselfbackintheunwelcomingchillyhallofthenursinghome,Olympiachoseajerseydressinchocolatebrown,andbecauseithadbeensohardtofixherchoice,addedaleafgreenonetoit.Atweedsuitcamenext,allhoneybrownsandpurplesandgreens,andacamelcoattogooverthedresses,because,asMrsvanderGraafpointedout,itwasstillonlyearlyspringandchilly.Shetoppedthiscollectionwithatrousersuitwhichhadtakenherfancy,andthen,engulfedinsuddenhorrifiedrealizationofthecostofthemall,appealedtoherhostess.‘Ican’t,youknow,’shedeclaredearnestly,‘Isimplycan’t—thislotmusthavecostabomb!’

MrsvanderGraafblinked.‘ItoldyouthatIwouldwarnyouifyougottooextravagant,Olympia,’andaddedinabusinesslikemanner,‘Shoes—andapairofthosebootsgirlswearnowadays.’

Olympiasubmittedmeeklybutwithpleasure.Bootswerechosen,thekindoffootwearshehadneverbeenallowedtohave,orindeedcouldhaveafforded—shoeswerechosentoo,eveningslippersandwalkingshoes,eleganttrifleswhichshewould,presumably,wearasamatterofcourseduringthedayandeveryday.Olympia,looking,ifonlyshehadknownit,likealittlegirlseeingaChristmastreeforthefirsttime,akindofmiracle.Buttheyhadn’tfinishedwithheryet;shewasborneawaytotheundiesdepartmentwhere,surroundedbysilkandchiffonandnylonofeverycolouroftherainbow,shechosethelovelythingsshehadsooftengazedatinshopwindowsandneverthoughttohave.Watchingtheseexpensivetriflesbeingtenderlypackedbetweenlayersoftissuepaper,shefoundherselfwonderingwhatAuntMariawouldsayifshecouldseehernow.

Theyreturnedintimefortea,amealwhichMrsvanderGraafwasloathtomissbutwhichOlympiawouldcheerfullyhavegonewithoutsothatshemighthavefollowedBatesthechauffeurandMaryupthestairstoherroomwithallthoseheavenlyboxesandpackages.Butteawaspleasant,nonetheless,withher

hostessgivingherlittlethumbnailsketchesofhernephew;theywerevague,though,andpreventedherfromaskingthedirectquestionsshewasdyingtoask;supposedlyshewouldhavetoaskthemofWaldo.

Shewasdressedandreadyfartoosoon,despitethedelaysoccasionedbythetryingonofthevariousgarmentshungcarefullyinthevastwardrobeinherroom,soitwaswithagoodhalfhourtosparethatshewentdowntothesitting-room,tofidgetarounduntilthedoctormadehisappearance.Butthewaithadbeenworthwhile;hestoppedinhistracksasheencounteredheranxiousgaze,hisbrowsraisedinasurprisewhichforherwasthebestofcompliments,especiallywhenitcamefromamanasgood-lookingandwelldressedashe.

Hisvoicedroppedpleasantlyintothelittlesilence.‘Delightful,Olympia—youtakemybreath.’

Shesaidingenuously:‘Oh,doI?’andsmiledwidelyathim.‘I’msoglad;Iwantedtolookasniceaspossiblebecauseyou’vegivenmesuchamassofgorgeousclothes.Iwanttothankyou.’

Hehadcometostandbesideherandwassmilingdownatherwithgentleamusement.‘IseethatIhavethanksenough—youlookliketheprincessinthefairystory.’

‘Youmeantheuglyducklingwhoturnedintoaswan,’shecorrectedhim.‘No,’heshookhishead,‘aprincess.Whereismyaunt?’‘Shewenttoherroomtofetchsomething.’‘Awomanoftact.Ihavesomethingforyou,Olympia.’Aring;sapphiresanddiamondsinacurioussetting,andevenshe,whowas

ignorantofsuchthings,knewthatitwasvaluable.Asheputitonherfingertheunwelcomethoughtthatitmighthavebelongedtohisfirstwifecrossedhermindandshestiffened.

Hereadherthought.‘No,itwasneverinthepossessionofEstelle,’hetoldher.‘Itisveryoldandhasbeeninmyfamilyformanyyears.Itwasmymother’s.’

Shehadflushedalittlebecausehehadseensoeasilywhatshehadbeenthinking,butshelookedathimfranklynowandsaidinashyvoice:‘Thankyouverymuch,I’lltreasureit,andI’msorryIthoughtthat—Ishouldhaveknownbetter.’

Hisbrowslifted.‘Whyshouldyou?Youknowverylittleaboutme,afterall.’Hegreetedhisauntasshecamein,leavingherwithafeelingthatshehadbeensnubbed,butsheshookthefeelingoff;itwouldneverdoifsheweretobesensitiveabouteverythinghesaid;theywerefriends,weretheynot?Heshouldfeelfreetosayanythinghelikedtoherandshemustlearntoreceiveitinlikevein,sosheturnedatranquil,smilingfacetohimwhenheaskedherifshewas

ready,andstoodquietlywhileMrsvanderGraafexaminedherring,talkedaboutitforafewminutes,andthenbadehergethercoat.Olympiamadeforthedoor,thenpaused.Intheexcitementofshoppingthatafternoontherewasonethingwhichtheyhadforgotten;shehadnocoat.Nothing—nopoweronearthwouldmakeherwearthecamelcoatoverthedeliciousbluedressshewaswearing.Shewasonthepointofsayingthatshedidn’tneedacoatanyway,eventhoughshewouldriskgettingherdeathofcold,whenthedoctormurmured:‘Ah,yes—Ihadquiteforgotten,’andcaughtherbythearmandmarchedherintothehall,wheredrapedoverachairwasexactlythecoatshewouldhavechosenhadshebeenbuyingoneforherself.Arichdarkbrownvelvet,severelycut,withalongwideskirttoitandalittleupstandingcollar.Exactlyright.Shedrewinherbreathlikeanexcitedchildandgavehimalookofdelight.‘Oh,Waldo—it’ssuper,’andtheninfaintreproach,‘Youcouldn’thaveforgottenaboutit…’

Hegrinned.‘Youlikeit?Good.’Hehelditforhertoputonandsheturnedandtwistedbeforethebiggildedmirror,preeningherself.‘Thankyou,Waldo,thankyouathousandtimes.I’veneverhadsomanybeautifulthingsbefore—it’swonderful,almosttoowonderfultolast.’

Hemadenoreplytothischildishremark,butusheredheroutintothestreettothewaitingtaxiandduringtheshortjourneytalkedplacidlyaboutnothinginparticular.

TheydinedattheCoqd’Or,pinkandplushandexactlyrightasabackgroundforthebluedress.Olympia,smittenintodumbness,allowedherselftobeseatedatatablewhichsherealizedwasexcellentlyplaced,bothforseeingandbeingseen,andshewasalittlesurprisedatthenumberofpeoplewhogreetedhercompanion;hewaswellknown,itseemed.Shewasshyofthesestrangers,butshehadnaturalgoodmannersandreceivedtheirgoodwishesandcongratulationswithcomposureevenwhileshehopedthattheymightbeleftinpeace;therewassomuchshewantedtoknowfromherfuturehusband,butsomehowthereneverseemedanopportunitytotalktohimformorethanafewminutesatatime.Sheateherwaythroughthesuperbmeal,answeringhercompanion’sremarksratheratrandom,andwonderingifthedreamyfeelingwhichshewasexperiencingwastheresultofdelayedshockatthesuddenchangeofherfortunes,oralittletoomuchofthechampagnetheyweredrinking.Itwasn’tuntiltheyweresittingovertheircoffeethatshesaidsuddenly,encouragedbyhisquietfriendlinessandtheDutchcourageacquiredbythewine,‘Idon’tknowanythingatallaboutRia,oryou.’

Heregardedherwithathoughtfulfrownandtooksolongtoanswerthatshebegantothinkthatshehadannoyedhiminsomeway,butwhenatlengthhespokehisvoicewasjustasplacidasusual.‘Ibelievethatthenicestwaytogetto

knowbothofuswillbetolivewithus—don’tyouagree?’Hedidn’tgiveherachancetoanswer,butwentonsmoothly:‘Wouldyouliketogoonsomewhereanddance,orshallwesithereanddiscussourweddingplans?’

Herearcaughtthefaintreluctanceinhisvoicewhenhehadmentioneddancing.‘I’dliketotalk,’shetoldhim,andwaspleasedtoseethathehadwantedtotalktoo.

‘Wouldyouagreetotwoweeks’time?tendays,ifIcanarrangethingsbythen—Itakeitthatyouwouldlikeaquietwedding?’andwhenshenodded:‘Getwhatyouneedinthewayofclothes—somethingyouwon’tneedtochangeifpossible;IshallbeabletospareonlyashorttimeandweshallhavetoreturntoMiddelburgaftertheceremony.Shallyoumind?’

Shewondered,fleetingly,whathewouldhavedoneifshehadsaidthatshedidmind.‘Notatall,’sherepliedpolitely,‘thereisn’tanyone…’shebrokeoffandwentonalittleawkwardly:‘Idon’tsupposeAuntMariawillwanttocome.’

Hesmiledalittle.‘HowaboutDoctorSimsgivingyouaway?Ibelievehewouldloveto,andisthereanyoneelseyouwouldliketoask?’

‘MrsCooper,sheworksformyaunt—she’salwaysbeensosweettome.’Theytalkedforalittlelongerbeforetheyfinallyreturnedtothedarkened

house;MrsvanderGraafhadretiredtobedandtherewasnosignofMary.ThedoctorlettheminwithhiskeyandonceinsideshowednosignofwishingtoleavebutusheredOlympiaintothesmallsitting-roomleadingfromthedining-room,whereheinvitedhertositdown.

‘Staythere,’heurgedher.‘There’llbecoffeeinthekitchen.’Hewasbackfiveminuteslaterwithatraywhichheputonthetablebeside

her,beforestretchinghimselfoutcomfortablyinthearmchairoppositehers.‘Thankyouformysuperevening,’saidOlympia,pouringcoffee.‘Thefirstofmany,Ihope,althoughIshouldpointoutthatIam,forthemost

part,occupiedwiththepractice.Willyouenjoybeingadoctor’swife?’Shehadavisionofherselfrunninghishouse—veryefficiently,ofcourse—

lookingafterRia,givingahandwiththepatients,andofcoursebeinganintelligentlistenerwhenhewantedtotalk.Perhapsmarriagetohimwasn’tgoingtobequitewhatshehaddreamedof,butatleastshewouldhaveahappy,busylifedoingallthethingshousewivesdid.Shehadquite,forthemoment,forgottenthathewasarichmanandmighthaveadifferentwayoflifefromtheonesheenvisaged.

Theysatforquitesometime,talkingcomfortablyaboutnothinginparticularanditwasonlywhenWaldogotuptogothathementionedthathewouldbegoingbacktoHollandearlythenextday.‘Ishan’tseeyouforatime,I’mafraid,’hetoldherintheeasytonesofanoldfriend,‘butIshalltryandgetover

beforethewedding,evenifonlyforaday.’Olympiathoughtthisapieceofextravagance,butshesaidnothingasshe

walkedwithhimtothedoorsothatshemightboltitafterhim.Onitsthresholdhekissedher,alightkissonhercheekandperhapsnotverysatisfactory.Shewentuptobedreflectingthatheneededtogetusedtotheideaofmarryingagain;nodoubthefoundendearmentsofanysortstillpainfulafterthedeathofhiswife.Aromanticgirlstill,shefeltsurethathemusthavelovedEstelledearly.Sheundressedslowly,savouringthenewdressandthedelicateunderwear,tellingherselffirmlythatshewasaluckygirl,althoughthefacewhichlookedbackatherfromthemirrorworeanexpressionofunconsciouswistfulness.

Butitwasimpossibletoremainwistfulforlong.Waldomightnotbethere,butashisauntpointedout,thatwasagoodthing,fortherewasagreatdealtodo.Olympiawaswhiskedofftoahairdressertohavehersilkyabundanceofhairtrimmedanddressedwithanexpertisewhichturnedherordinarylittlefaceintosomethingalmostpretty.Therewastheweddingoutfittoo;bearinginmindtheremarksWaldohadmadeaboutlosingnotimeaftertheceremony,Olympiahaddiscardedforgoodthevaguedreamsshehadnourishedaboutwhitesatinandgauze;probablyhehadnoideathatagirlsetgreatstoreuponsuchthings,andifshehadmentioneditwouldhavechangedhisplansinordertoaccommodateher,howeverinconvenienttohimself;somethingshecouldnotallow.

Asitwas,shecouldnothelpbutbesatisfiedwiththedressandjacketshefinallydecidedupon.Itwasoffinewoolinarichhoneycolour,veryplainlycutandhorriblyexpensive,andbecauseafterallitwasherwedding,sheboughtahat,anextravagantaffair,smallandhead-huggingwithhoney-colouredrosesbunchedattheback.Therewereshoesandglovesandhandbagtoo,andtryingthemonalittleanxiouslybeforethemirrorintheprettybedroom,shehopedthatitwasthekindofoutfitofwhichthedoctorwouldapprove.Thehatwasratheragiveaway,butshecouldtakeitoffaftertheceremonyifhewantedherto,forshehardlyexpectedhimtoliketheideaoflookinglikeahoneymooncouple.Therewastobenohoneymoon,anyway;shewastobeplungedstraightintoherfuturelifeandperhaps,allthingsconsidered,thatwouldbeagoodthingtoo.

Shedidn’tseehimuntiltheeveningbeforetheweddingwastotakeplaceandthenonlyforaveryshorttime;justlongenoughtomeetthebestman,anEnglishcousinofsorts,thedoctorexplained,BillBentinckbyname,bigandthick-setandobviouslyanoldandgoodfriend.Olympialikedhimeventhoughtheyexchangedabaredozenwords.

ThechurchwasdeeplyquietandalmostemptywhenOlympiaarrivedtherewithDoctorSims.Shepausedonitsstepstobrushdownhercompanion,foras

usualhehadbeencarelesswithhiscigarash,andwhentheywentinside,theaisle,eveninsuchaverysmallchurchasthisone,seemedagreatlengthsothatshehadtimetochangehermindatleasttwiceaboutmarryingthedoctorbeforeshereachedhisside,butherlast-minutedoubtsvanishedwhenshecaughthiseyeandfoundhimsmilingatherinanunderstandingway.Shefetchedasighofreliefthen,becausetherewasnomoretimeinwhichtohavedoubts,andtookthehandheheldouttoher.

ThereseemedbarelytimetocutthecakeanddrinkthechampagnewhichMrsvanderGraafhadinsistedupon,beforeWaldosaidthattheymustleave.Olympiabadethelittlegroupoffriendsgood-byeandturnedroundtofindWaldostandingbehindher.‘Youhadbetterwearthis,’hetoldherinamatter-of-factvoice,andhelpedherintoacoat—mink,arichlightbrownmink.Shewantedtosmoothitssoftfurandatleasttakealookatherselfinit,butagaintherewasnotime.Sheglancedathim,veryelegantinhisdarkgreysuit,buthewaslookingatBillBentinck,smilingatsomethinghewassaying;itwashardlythemomenttothankhim.Amidstachorusofgood-byes,theywentoutofthehousetogether.

Therewasacardrawnuptothepavement,aLamborghiniEuracoS,agloriousthing,itscreampaintworkspotless.Waldoopeneditsdoorandusheredherinandthenwentroundtohisownseat.Whenhehadsettledhimselfbesideher,sheaskedbreathlessly,‘Thiscar—isityours?’

‘Yes.’Helookedatherwithahalfsmile.‘Don’tyoulikeit?’‘Notlikeit?’sheechoed.‘It’smarvellous—absolutelysuper,’andbeforehe

couldstartthecar:‘Thankyouformylovelycoat—I’veneverhadafuronebefore.’Anobviousremarkwhichhereceivedwiththefaintesttwitchofhislips.

‘Myweddingpresent.’Hisglanceflickeredoverher.‘Youlookcharming,Olympia,andthat’saprettythingonyourhead.You’vedoneyourhairdifferently,too.’

Shedrewadeepbreathofpurepleasure.‘Oh,thankyou—Ididhopeyoumightnotice—thehairdressershowedmehow.I—Iwantedtolookasniceaspossible.’

‘Andyoudid—anddo,’heassuredherasthecarpurredintolifeandslidsmoothlyforward.Olympiaturnedtowavetothelittlepartyonthestepsofthehouse.Shewouldseethemallagain,shesupposed,butshehadnoideawhen.Shehadnoideaaboutanythingmuch,hadshe?Shethoughtaboutitforamomentandsomehowitdidn’tmatter.

CHAPTERFOUR

THEYWEREGOING,THEDOCTORexplainedastheythreadedtheirwaythroughLondonandoutontothemotorwaytoDover,tocrosstoOstendandthendrive,inthematterofanhourorso,toMiddelburg,andOlympia,whohadspentsometimeporingoveramapofHollandwhileshehadbeenstayingwithMrsvanderGraaf,wasabletofollowhisremarksabouttheirjourneywithnotroubleatall.ShehadneverbeenoutofEnglandbeforeandshewaswildlyexcited,butshekeptthesefeelingshiddenunderasereneface,foritwasobviousthatWaldothoughtnothingofthejourney,justasshehadthoughtnothingofthejourneybybusdownPrimroseHill.Thenursinghomeseemedalongwayawaynow;shehadgonebacktoseethepatients,butAuntMariahadbarelyspokentoherandthenwithaspitewhichhadmadeherwince.Shehadn’tcometotheweddingeither,onlywrittenaletterwarningOlympiaofherfolly.Shehadtornitupandthencriedalittleaboutit.Perhapslater,whenAuntMariahadgotusedtotheidea,shemightnotfeelsobadlyaboutit;indeed,shehadnoreasonto—shehadn’tbeeninconveniencedatall,forWaldo,truetohispromise,hadfoundasplendidnursetotakeherplace,anolderwomanwhogotonwellwithMrsCooperandtheothersandwasveryefficientbesides.OlympiahadwonderedwhereWaldohadfoundherandhadn’tlikedtoask.Hehadsaidthattheywerefriends,buttherehadbeentimeswhenshehadfounditdifficulttotalktohimoraskhimquestions.Doubtless,shethoughthopefully,thatwouldcomerightintime.

Buthewasn’tbeingdifficultnow;hetalkedpleasantlyabouttheday’shappeningsashesentthecardowntheA2,andonceonboardtheferrytherewassomuchtoseethat,hertonguenicelyloosenedbythelunchtheyhadeatenontheway,Olympiakeptupaconstantflowofquestionsandobservations,toallofwhichhercompanionlentapatientear,answeringherwithacharmingcourtesyalthoughhemustsurelyhavefoundthemalittleboring.Shedidn’tthinkofthatuntilafterwards,whentheywereinthecar,tearingalongtowardsHollandandMiddelburg.Shehadfallensilentnow,suddenlyovercomewithfearsofthefuture.SupposingRiadidn’tlikeher,andhowaboutthehousekeeperWaldohadmentioned?Supposingshecouldn’tcopewithhishouseholdorfitintohislife?Supposinghisfriendsdislikedher?Shebecameveryquietindeed.

TheywereovertheRiverScheldeandleavingVlissingenbehind,withthetowersandspiresofMiddelburgbeforethem,onlyamileorsoaway,whenWaldosaidgently:‘You’realittlescared,aren’tyou?Youhavenoneedtobe,Ipromiseyou;everyoneknowsthatyouarecomingasmywifeandtheywillbedelightedtowelcomeyouandbeyourfriend.Nowdon’tworry.’Hecastheraquick,shrewdglance.‘Teawillbenice,won’tit?’heaskedlightly,andshe,feelingbetteralready,agreedquitecheerfully.

Herfuturehomewasintheveryheartofthesmallcity,almostintheshadowofthegreatchurchwithitstower—LangeJan.Thehouse,largeandsolidandsquare,flankedbysimilardwellings,facedtheentrancetotheAbdij—theabbey,itstwelfth-centurybuildings,beautifullyrestored,encirclingalargeopenspacewhichshebarelyglimpsedfromthestreet.Andthestreetitselfwascharmingwithagrassplotinitscentreandascatteringoftrees,alittlebackwaterofaplaceandpeaceful.Thatmuchshewasabletoseebeforethedoctorstoppedthecarbeforehisdoor,helpedheroutandusheredherintohishome.

Thehallwasnarrowwithatiledfloor,plainwhiteplasteredwallsandasplendidornamentalplasterceiling,itsswagsoffruitandflowersrunningriotandspillingdownthewallstoornamentthetopsofthedoors.Therewasalargeconsoletablealongonewall,onwhichwasagreatbowlofspringflowers,andastaircasehalf-waydownthehall,setatrightanglestoit.Therewasapassagebesideitandawomancamehurryingalongittomeetthem.Shebrokeintospeechasshecaughtsightofthemandthedoctorsaideasily:‘Thisismyhousekeeper,Emma—shespeaksnoEnglish,butyouwillfindheratreasureandI’msureyouwillsoonlearnsomethingofourlanguage.’

Olympiashookhandsandsmilednervously,asmilewhichEmmareturnedwithawidewelcomingoneofherown.Shewasashort,dumpylittlewomanwithdarkhairwornseverelyinabun,andveryneatinherdress.Olympiasuddenlyfeltateasewithher;languageornolanguage,shethoughttheymightbefriends.Emmasaidsomethingtothedoctor,smiledagainatOlympiaandopenedoneofthemahoganydoorswhichlinedthehall.

‘Tea,’saidWaldo,hishandunderherelbow,‘inthesitting-room.Wecangoroundthehousepresently.’

Theroomwaswarmandwelcoming;claret-colouredcurtainsdrapedintheirsatinswathesoneithersideofthetallwindows,matchedthesilkycarpetonthewoodenfloor.Thefurniturewaslargeandcomfortable,thechairsroomy.Therewasasofafacingthechimneypiece,withtwochairsoneitherside,andascatteringoflittletablesbearingreadinglampsandamiscellaneouscollectionofsilverandchina.Olympiacrossedthispleasingapartmentandtookthechairthedoctoroffered.Shehadn’tknownwhattoexpect,butshewasdelightedtofind

thatherhalf-formednotionsastoWaldo’shomehadbeenentirelyeclipsedbyaquitebeautifulreality.

Teacame;delicatechinauponasilvertray.ShepouredoutalittleclumsilywhileWaldo,sittingoppositeherinagreatwingedchair,talkedplacidlyaboutthingsthatdidn’tmatterwhileshethankedhimsilentlyforbeingsounderstanding.Therewerethreecupsonthetray;shewasonthepointofaskingwhowastojointhemwhenthedooropenedandRiacamein.Shewasn’tintheleastlikeherfather;smallanddark,withanelfinfacelightedbyenormousdarkeyesandamopofbrownhairbrushinghersmallshoulders.ShegaveOlympiaahandwithwarypoliteness,andOlympia,understandingthewariness,wascarefultobefriendlyandnothingmore.Thatthechildwasdevotedtoherfatherwasevident;sheshrilledherdelightatseeinghimagainandgiggledhappilywhenhetossedherhighbeforesittingherdownonastoolbetweenthem.Shewasacharmingchildwithcharmingmanners;Olympiawasenchantedbyhereventhoughshetookcaretositbackquietlyandleavefatheranddaughtertotalktogether.

‘Youwon’tmindifwespeakDutch?’hehadaskedher.‘Riahasn’tstartedEnglishyet—Idaresayshewillpickitupquicklyenoughwithyou,though.’

HeturnedbacktothesmallcreatureandbecameimmersedintalkoncemoreandpresentlyhaddrawnOlympiaintoathree-sidedconversationinwhichheactedasinterpreter.Itwasalittlelaborious,buttheyalllaughedagooddealandOlympiabegantothinkthatgettingtoknowRiamightnotbesodifficultafterall,butwhentheyallgotuptotourthehouse,shewasshockedatthelookofdislikethelittlegirlthrewather.ShetoldherselfthatitwasnaturalenoughthatRiashouldn’ttaketoheratonce;shewouldhavetohavepatienceandgoslowly.WithWaldobetweenthemtheycrossedthehallandbegantheirtourofinspection.

Thedining-roomcamefirst,panelledingreywoodandwithamossgreencarpetandheavyvelvetcurtainsofthesameshade,settingoffthemahoganyfurnituretogreatadvantage.Thewallswerehungwithcreamsilkandtherewereanumberofcharmingflowerpaintingshungaroundtheroom.Therewasalongsideboardtoo,holdingasplendidcollectionofsilver.Olympia,gazingroundher,triedtoimagineherselfsittingatthelongtable,facingWaldo,guestsoneithersideofthem,andherimaginationboggled;itwassomethingofarelieftoseethesmallsitting-roomatthebackofthehouse,withitsfrenchwindowsopeningontoasurprisinglylargegarden.Itwasacosy,welllivedinroom,withcomfortableleatherchairs,agreatmanybooksontheshelveswhichlinedthewallsandacirculartabletooneside,piledwithmorebooksandmagazines.Therewasagamestabletooandanold-fashionedstove,veryornatewithits

polishednickelplating.Aroominwhichtositcomfortablyandreadorwriteandsew.

Thedoctor’sstudywasnexttoit,asmallerroom,sparselyfurnishedandverybusinesslike,andleadingfromit,asmallsurgery.‘Isometimesseepatientshere,’heexplained,‘thoughmostofthemcometomyconsultingroomsontheothersideoftheAbbeybuildings.’Heledthewaydownthehallanduptheuncarpetedoakstaircase,Riaclingingtohishand.‘Youcanseethekitchenlateron,’hesuggested.‘Emmawillwanttoshowyouround—comeandseeyourroom.’

Itseemedenormousafterherdimandpokybedroomatthenursinghome.Itwasfurnishedwitharestrainedluxurywhichenchantedher;therewasaHepplewhitefourposteragainstonewall,itsdraperiesofpalestpink,andthecarpetwasariotofpalerosesonacreamground.Thecurtainsatthetwowindowswereofadeeprosebrocadeandbetweenthemwasadelicaterosewooddressingtableholdingatriplemirror,andtomatchthepolishedbrownofthefurniture,theday-bedwascoveredinarichbrownvelvet,aswerethetwocomfortablechairsoneachsideoftheburnishedsteelfireplace.

Olympiablinked.‘Isthisreallymyroom?’sheaskedinasmallvoice.‘Allyours.Ithasn’tbeeninuseforyears—itwasmymother’s,andnothing

inithasbeenchanged.’NotEstelle’sthen.Shefeltthankfulaboutthat,althoughshewasn’tsure

why,butithadbeenthoughtfulofhimtotellher.‘There’sabathroomthroughthatdoor,’hepointedout,‘andonthisside

there’smydressing-roomandmyroombeyonditandanotherbathroom.Areyoutired,orwouldyouliketoseetherestofthehouse?’

Shedisclaimedalltiredness;perhapshewasanxioustogettheinspectionoverwith,anditwasn’tasthoughtheywerelookingovertheirnewhomeforthefirsttime.Shefetchedasmallsighandfollowedhimoutoftheroom.

Theyinspectedmorebedrooms;therewereagreatmanyofthem,butthenthehouseextendedbackalongwayfromthestreetinamostunexpectedway.Andupstairs,onthefloorabove,wasRia’sroom,small,andfurnishedexactlyasalittlegirl’sroomshouldbe.Olympiawouldhavelovedtohavelingered,toexaminethetoysscatteredaroundandadmirethepictures,butonelookatthelittlegirl’sfacedecidedheragainstit;Riadidn’twantherthere,anyfoolcouldhaveseenthat.ShesighedagainandcrossedthelandingtolookintotwomoreroomsandthenpausewhilethedoctorexplainedthatthetwodoorsoppositeRia’sroomwerewhereEmmaandJoannathemaidslept.Therewasasmallnarrowstaircasebesidetheenddoor,leadingtotheattics.‘Youcanleavethoseforawetday,’thedoctorsuggested,‘they’refullofoddsandends,I’mafraid.

Emmacleansthemouteverynowandthen,butshealwaysputseverythingbackagain,howeveruseless.’

Theyallwentdownstairsagain,backintothebigsitting-room,andthedoctorfetchedthedolls’housewiththesuggestionthatRiamightbeallowedtoplaywithitforanhourbeforeherbedtimebeforeheexcusedhimselfonthegroundsoftelephoninghispartners,anddisappeared,leavingOlympiaandRiaineachother’suneasycompany.Hehadprobablyforgottenthatneitherofthemcouldunderstandtheother,andwhenOlympiamadeatentativemovetojointhelittlegirlonthefloorinfrontofhernewtoy,shewasmetwithsuchableaklookofdislikethatshewentbacktoherchairandpickedupapaperlyingonthetablebesideit.Thepaperwas,naturallyenough,printedinDutch,whichleftherwithnothingtoamuseherselfwithbutherownuncertainthoughts.Sherememberedheraunt’swarningthen,andalittlenigglingdoubtcreptintoherheadandwouldprobablyhaveswelledtoenormousproportionsifthedoctorhadn’treturnedatthatmoment.Hemadenocommentuponthesilencewhichgreetedhim,butdroppedonhiskneesbesideRia,sayingoverhisshoulderinacomfortablevoice:‘TomorrowyoushallstartyourDutchlessons,Olympia—thereisanexcellentteachercloseby.I’vejustbeenonthetelephonetohim,hewillcomeeachmorning.Itwon’tbelongbeforeyoucanatleastacquireabasicDutch;enoughtotalktoEmmaandRiaanddoyourshopping,andonceyoustartitwillgeteasier.’

‘Isitverydifficult?’sheaskedanxiously.Hesmilednicely.‘Yes—butdon’tletthatworryyou.Youwillbeableto

manageverywellwithahandfulofsentencestobeginwith,therestwillcomeeasilyenoughintime.’

‘Yes,butI’mnotclever,youknow.’Shegottoherfeet.‘IthinkI’llgoandunpack,ifyoudon’tmind.’Shehesitated.‘DoyouwantmetodoanythingaboutRia’ssupper?Whoputshertobed?’

Hehadrisentohisfeettoo,tocomeandstandbesideher.‘Emmawillseetothattonight—tomorrowwillbetimeenoughforyoutostartyournewlife.’Hisblueeyesstudiedherfacecarefully.‘Youmustbetired;weseemtohavesqueezedagreatdealintooneday,andIhaven’tevenwelcomedyoutoyournewhome,deargirl.’Hebenttokissher,afriendly,impersonalkiss.‘Ihopeyouwillbeveryhappyhere.’

Olympianoddedwithoutspeaking.Indeed,shehadnowordsforthemoment;shewasstrugglingtobehavenormally,asthoughnothinghadhappened,asthoughshehadn’tjustdiscoveredthatshewasverymuchinlovewiththiscool,quietmanwhohadmarriedher—ashehadbeenatpainstopointouttoher—becauseofthemutualbenefitstheymightshare.Onlythesebenefits

hadn’tincludedlove.Andwhy,afterhavingknownhimalltheseweeks,didshehavetodiscoverthatnow?Itwouldhavetobeasecret,keptforeverandever…

‘Doyoufeelallright?’askedthedoctor.‘Youlookalittlepale.’Shemightaswellbeginasshemeanttogoon:shegavehimaserenesmile.

‘Asyousay,it’sbeenalongday—notthatI’mtired,justabitexcited,that’sall.ShallIsaygoodnighttoRianow?Andifyouwouldtellmewhattimewehavedinner—thoughI’msuretobereadybeforethen.’

Hespokeeasily.‘Ofcourse—I’vealwaysdinedathalfpastseven,aftereveningsurgery,ifthatsuitsyou?Willyoucomedownforadrinkaboutseven?Riagoestobedathalfpastsix.’Heglancedathiswatch,‘Emmawillbecomingforherinhalfanhourorso—agoodideatosaygoodnightnow.’

SheofferedherhandtothelittlegirlbecausesheknewinstinctivelythatRiadidn’twanttobekissed;smallchildrencouldn’tbeforced,sheknewthat,anditmighttaketime,butshewouldwaitwithpatienceuntiltheyhadgottoknoweachotherandRialikedheralittle—hadevenbecomefondofher.Shewasadearlittlegirl,butperhapsWaldohadn’tpreparedherenoughabouttheirmarriage;evenifshedidn’trememberherownmother,shemightbefosteringachildishimageofherinhersmallheart,andanyoneelsetryingtooustitwouldseemaninterloper.

Olympiawentupstairstoherlovelyroomandsatdownontheedgeofthebedtothink.IthadallseemedverysimpleandstraightforwardinLondon,butshecouldseenowthatthingswouldn’tbequitewhatshehadimagined.ShehadbeentoldthatWaldowasarichman,butshehadn’tquitetakenthatin;shehadn’texpectedthislovelyoldhousefilledwithtreasures,certainlyshehadn’texpectedRiatodislikeher,andmostimportantofall,shehadn’texpectedtofallinlovewithherhusband.

Shewastedalotoftime,justsittingthereallowingherthoughtstoweavetheirwaytoandfroinherheadbeforeadmittingtoherselfthattheyweregettinghernowhere,becauseinevitablytheyreturnedtoWaldo.Shebegantounpack,gladtohavesomethingtodo,andwhenthiswasdonetohersatisfactionshedidherhairandfacewithcare,andstillinthedressshehadwornfortheirwedding,wentdownstairs.

Thedoctorwasinthesitting-room,inhismammotharmchair,goingthroughhispost;aformidabletask,itwouldappear,foralthoughhehadrememberedtoplaceawastepaperbasketwithinreach,hehadeitherforgottenaboutitorignoredit;itstoodemptywhiletheflooraroundhimwaspiledhighwithscrewed-upenvelopes,discardedlettersandunopenedcirculars.Tomakemattersworsehegotupfromhischairassheentered,sendingacascadeofpapertojointherestonthefloor.

‘Whatanenormouspost,’observedOlympia,andquiteforgettingtheshynesswhichhadovercomeheratthethoughtofseeinghimagain,gotdownonherkneesandbegantostuffthebasketfull.

Hebeamedatherbeforebecomingimmersedinaclosely-writtenform.‘Deargirl,whatablessingyouwillbetome.InevercouldcontrolmylettersandJuffrouwBruin—mysecretaryatthesurgery—isonholiday.Threepiles,’heinstructedher,‘circulars,billsandsoforth,andletters.’Hereturnedtohisreadingandthenlookeduptosay:‘Theylookthesameinanylanguage,butyouhadbettermakeanotherpileoftheonesyouaren’tcertainabout.’

Hewasquiteright;abillwasabillwhethershecouldunderstandthelanguageornot,andshewasnothingifnotefficient.Withinafewminutesshehadthechaossubduedintoneatpilesandthewastepaperbasketpiledhigh,andsincehewasstillimmersedinhisreading,shewentandsatinasmallbutton-backedchaircloseby.Shewasnaturallyaquietgirlandherupbringinghadmadeherevenmoreso;sheneithermovednorsighed,examinedhernailsorfidgetedwithherhair.Itwasquitefiveminutesbeforehelookedup,castdownhispapersandexclaimed:‘Olympia,Ihadforgotten.Drinksbeforedinner—willsherrysuityou,oraDubonnet?’

Shechosethelatterandwhenhehadhandedheraglass,asked:‘Isitveryinteresting?Don’tstopreadingonmyaccount.’

Shesmiledalittleshyly.‘Idon’tneedtobeentertained,youknow.’‘Icanseethatwearegoingtosuiteachotherverywell.Thisisareportona

patientIsentforopenheartsurgery—doingratherwell,despitecomplications,too.’Heplungedintohighlytechnicaldetailsofthecase.‘I’vebeentoUtrechttoseeherseveraltimes.Ifancyshe’soutofthewoodnow.’

‘Young?’Olympiawantedtoknow.‘Almosttwelve.Therewasnochancetodoanythingsooner,she’san

asthmaticaswell,poorchild,buthappilythatisimproving.’‘Oh,thepoorlittlegirl!Willshegohometoconvalesceorwillyousendher

toanafter-carecentre?’‘Sendheraway,Ithink.Herfather’sfinancesmustbestretchedtotheirlimit

bynow,andthere’sasplendidplacenottoofaraway.’Olympiasippedherdrink.Intentonkeepingtheconversationonsafe,

impersonallines,sheasked:‘HowdoesyourNationalHealthworkinHolland—thereisone,ofcourse?’

‘Oh,yes—butnotquitelikeEngland;itwilltakealittleexplaining.ShallwegointodinnerandIcantellyouaboutitwhileweeat.’

Themealwasdelicious;Emma,whodidthecooking,hadamagictouchandtherewaschampagne,presumablytocelebratetheirweddingday,althoughthe

doctorwassoengrossedinexplainingtheZiekenfondstoherthatbeyondopeningthebottle,fillingherglassandraisinghisowntoherinanabsent-mindedfashion,hehadprobablyforgottenallaboutit.Shemustbetheonlygirlintheworld,shethoughtwryly,whosehusbandspentthefirstfewhoursoftheirlifetogetherexplainingtheHealthServiceoftheNetherlandstoher.Sheratherunwiselytossedoffthechampagneandwhenherefilledherglass,drankthatdowntoo.Itcertainlylentamorecheerfullighttothesituation,indeed,shehadtofightatendencytogiggle.ItwasEmma,bearinginasplendiddesserttoroundofftheirmeal,whobroughttheirratherone-sidedconversationtoanend.SheofferedthedelectableconfectionwithalittlespeechandasmileforOlympia,whosmiledback,relievedthatitmightnowbepossibletochangethesubject.Seeminglyitwas;withabriefremindertohertoaskhimtofinishhisexplanationssomeothertime,thedoctorappliedhimselftofillingglassesoncemore,andthistimeEmmaandJoannacameandstoodbythetableandtoastedthemaswell.Andwhenshehadservedthesweet,thedishwasreturnedtoEmmawithinstructionstofinishitinthekitcheninhonourofthebrideandgroom.Olympia,understandingwithoutcomprehendingaword,saidquicklybeforeEmmashouldgo:‘Waldo,pleasewillyoutellEmmathatthedinnerwasdelicious—she’sawonderfulcookandthisdessertlookslikesomethingoutoffairyland.’

HetranslatedrapidlyandEmmasmiledwidely,noddedherheadatthembothandtrottedaway.Assoonasshehadgone,Olympiaasked:‘Whatisitcalled,thispudding?—it’sheavenly.’

‘GateauStHonoré—madeespeciallyinyourhonour.’Forsomestupidreasonshewantedtocry.Shetookamouthfulofthechoux

pastryinstead,andswallowedthethreateningtearswithitandcontrivedtosaycheerfully,‘Howverykindofher,to—tocelebratelikethat.’

Shewasinstantlysorrythatshehadsaidit,forWaldopausedwithhisforkhalf-waytohismouth.‘AndIhaven’tcelebratedatall,onlytoboreyouunendinglyabouttheHealthService.MydearOlympia,Iamsorry…’

Sheinterruptedhim.‘Thatwasn’twhatImeant—Iwasn’tboredandthereisnoneedtocelebrate,isthere?I’mverycontentifyouare.’

Shehadforcedhervoicetofriendlywarmthandnothingmore,andwasrewardedbyhissmileandhisquick:‘Icanonlyrepeatthatweshallsuiteachotherverywell,youandI.Andnowifyou’reready,shallwegointothesitting-roomforourcoffee?ImusttellyouabouttherunningofthehouseandthearrangementsIhavemadeforyou.’

Itwaspleasantsittingbythebrightfirewhileshelistenedinsomeawetohimtellingherabouttheaccounthehadopenedforher.Thesizeofher

allowanceseemedexcessivetoher,andshesaidso,tobetoldthatshewoulddoubtlessneedallofitandprobablymorebesides.‘Weshallgooutagooddeal,’heexplained,‘andnowthatIhaveyouasahostess,weshallentertainagreatdealmorethanIhavebeendoing.Youwillneedprettyclothesandhairdressingandsoon.ThereisalsoasumofmoneypaidinforRia.Elisabethhasalwaysboughtherclothes,butitwillbemoresatisfactorynowthatyouareheretodoit.’

‘WhoisElisabeth?’Olympia’svoicesoundedfaintinherownears;itwasquitefrightening,thefiercenessofherfeelingsatthementionofanotherwoman—surelyshewasn’tjealous?Shehadneverhadoccasiontofeeljealousybeforeanditwasafrighteningsensation.

‘HaveInevermentionedher?’hewantedtoknowcarelessly.‘Anoldfriend—wehaveknowneachotherforfifteenyearsatleast.ShewasfondofEstelleandnaturallyenoughwhenshedied,ElisabethhelpedineverywayshecouldwithRia.Shelivescloseby,youwillmeetherverysoon,Ihavenodoubt.’

Verysoonindeed;Emmacameinatthatmoment,lookingfaintlydisapprovingandmutteredtothedoctor,whogotupwitheverysignofpleasure.‘Elisabethisherenow—howprovidential,’hetoldOlympia,whofoundherselfdisagreeingviolently,ifsilently,withhim.

‘You’renottired?’Hewasalreadyonthewaytothedoorandhermurmuredanswerwaslostinthesuddenoutburstoftalkastheirvisitorcamein.

Andshewassuchaprettygirl,Olympiasawatonce,hatingherselfforthehalf-formedhopethatElisabethmightbedumpyandmiddle-aged.Shewasneither;shewasfairandsuperblybuilt,withbrightblueeyesandavoicewhichwouldhavecharmedherworstenemy.ShegavethedoctorherhandwiththebriefestofgreetingsandcameacrosstheroomtoOlympia.‘Youmustthinkmeaveryrudewoman,’shesaidinEnglish,‘callingatthishouroftheeveningandonthefirstnightofyourarrivalinyournewhome,butIamasasistertoWaldoandIhavesomuchwantedtomeetyou.’

ShesmiledwithsuchobviouspleasurethatOlympiafoundherselfsmilingback,herfirstdoubtsstilled.Elisabethmightbegorgeouslypretty,butshewasnicetoo—andanoldfriend.Perhapsshewouldbecomeherfriendtoo.

Shestayedonlyaveryshortwhile;presentlyshebadethemgoodnightinhersoftvoice,expressingawishtohelpOlympiainwhateverwayshecouldandsayingthatshewouldcomeagaininthemorning,andwhenthedoctorcamebackintotheroomafterseeinghertothedoor,Olympiasaidimpulsively:‘WhataverynicepersonElisabethis,andhowpretty.Surelyshe’smarried?’

Heshookhishead.‘She’shadoffersenough,butshe’sveryhappyassheis,Ibelieve.Shelivesverymuchasshewishes;herfatherdiedsomeyearsagoand

sheliveswithhermother,butshe’salwaysbeenallowedtogoherownway—inanycase,itwouldtakeanexceptionalmantotakeherfancy.’

Waldowasanexceptionalman,thoughtOlympiaworriedly;theywouldhavemadeastrikinglyhandsomepair,too;itseemedstrangethathehadn’tmarriedElisabeth,butperhapsshehadrefusedhim?—hadshenotsaidthatshefeltlikeasistertohim?—andshehadbehavedtowardshimlikeone,too,norhadtherebeenanythinginhismannertowardsher…Shesuddenlylongedforherbedasshefoughttheterriblesuspicionthatshemighthavebittenoffmorethanshecouldchew.

‘Youwouldn’tmindifIwenttobed?’sheaskedthedoctor.‘Iknowit’sstillquiteearly…’

‘Mydear,ofcourse—it’sbeenalongday,hasn’tit?IthinkI’llcatchuponsomereadingforanhourorso.Thisisthebesttimeofthedayforit—thehouseisquietandthereisnoonetodisturbme.’

Astronghintforfutureevenings?shewonderedpeevishlyasshewishedhimagoodnight.Hehadgonetothedoorwithherandhelditopenforhertogothrough,buthedidn’tkisshergoodnight.

Inherroompresently,brushingherhairbeforethemirror,sheassuredherreflectionthatshehadn’texpectedhimto,anyway.Herfacestaredbackatherwithsadeyesandamouthwhichtrembledalittle.Sheturnedherbackuponit,andcladinoneoftheexquisitenightieswhichMrsvanderGraafhadcajoledherintobuying,jumpedintobed.

Shewakenedearlyandlaywonderingifsheshouldgetup.Shefeltverymuchaguestinthehouse,whichwasfoolish,sheknew;sheshouldhaveaskedaboutitbeforeshehadgonetobed.Butsheneednothaveworried,foronlyafewsecondsafterthecarillonsofMiddelburghadchimedtheirchorusforseveno’clock,therewasaknockonthedoor,andJoannacameinwithmorningtea,aluxuryOlympiahaddonewithoutuntilshehadgonetostaywithAuntBetsy.Shewassittingupinbedsippingitwhentherewasanothertaponthedoor—thistimethedoctor.Hisgoodmorningwascheerfulandmatter-of-fact,hisglancebriefandobliviousofthenightie.Shewassurprisedtoseethathewasalreadydressed,somethingshecommentedupon,gladofsomethingtosay.

‘Wereyoucalledout?’‘No—surgerystartsathalfpasteight,though,anduntilrecentlyIhadadog

towalkbeforebreakfast,sogettingupearlyhasbecomeahabit.’‘Adog—whathappenedtohim?’‘Hedied,hewaselderlyandhadaheartcondition,butIhadhimfortwelve

years—onegetsattached.’Hewasstandinglookingoutofthewindow,withhisbacktoher.Shesaid

withquicksympathy,‘Oh,I’msorry,butcouldyounotgetanotheroneinhisplace—hemusthaveleftagap.’

‘Nowthatyouarehere,Idon’tseewhynot.Yousee,therewasthequestionoftrainingapuppyandI’msooftennothome.ItwouldhardlybefairtoleavehimtoEmmaandJoanna.’

Heturnedroundatlastandsheputdownhercupandspokebeforeshecouldstopherself.‘Waldo,pleasemaywehaveadog?Idon’tmindlookingafterhimandtraininghimwhenyou’renothome,infact,Ishouldlikeitverymuch—Ineverhadadog,youknow—andRiawouldlikeit,I’msure.’

Hetooktheteatrayfromherkneeandsatdownontheedgeofthebed.‘Youwould?Thenwewillhaveone.Largeorsmall?’

‘Idon’tmind.Riadoeslikedogs,Isuppose?’‘Verymuch.ThereisacatwholiveswithEmmainthekitchen;she’sagreat

friendofhis,butIknowsheprefersdogs.’Hegottohisfeet.‘We’llseeaboutit,letmesee—I’lltelephonesomeonewhomightknowofapuppy,itshouldbeeasyenough.Areyoucomingdowntobreakfast?It’sinhalfanhourorso,butifyouwouldratherhaveyourslater,youonlyhavetosayso.’

‘I’llcomedownandhaveitwithyouandRia.’Hewasalmostatthedoor.‘Waldo,doesshegotoschool?’

Heturnedatherquestion.‘Goodlord,didn’tItellyou?I’munpardonablyforgetful.Yes,shegoestomorningschool,that’swhyIthoughtyoumightliketohaveyourDutchlessonsthen—whileshe’sthere.Idropheroffonthewaytothesurgery.’

Henoddedinafriendlyfashionandwentaway,andwhennextshesawhimhewassittingatthebreakfasttable,goingthroughhispostandansweringRia’sinsistentpipingvoicewithgreatpatience.Olympiawishedthelittlegirlgoodmorningandtriednottoseetheloweringlookshewasaccordedwhileshepouredcoffeeforherselfandbutteredaroll.Therewaslittleneedforhertotalk,though.Riakeptupaceaselesschatter,andthedoctor,whilemaintainingacasualconversationbetweentheperusalofhisletters,didn’tseemtoexpecthertoansweratgreatlength.Hegotuptogopresently,takingRiawithhim,andshewaslefttoherselfandfeelingalittlelost.Thereweresurelythingssheshouldbedoingaboutthehouse—makethebedsforinstance?orclearthetable,andwasshesupposedtogotothekitchenandseeEmma?Shedecidedtodothat.

JoannawaswashingupatthesinkandEmmawaswritinginasmallbookatthekitchentable.ShegotupasOlympiawentin,smilingandpullingforwardachairandthenpointingtothebook.Ashoppinglistpresumably,butwhowastodotheshopping?OlympiawasponderingthebestwayoffindingthisoutwhenthefrontdoorbellrangandJoannawenttoanswerit.Itwasbarelynineo’clock

andOlympiahadn’texpectedtohavevisitorsquitesoearlyinthemorning,butshewasreallygladtoseeElisabethfollowJoannaintothekitchen.

‘Ibegyourpardonforcomingintoyourkitchenasthoughitweremyown,’Elisabethcastheranapologeticglance,‘butIhavedoneitmanytimesbefore,youunderstand?Iforget.Ithoughtthatyoumightwanthelp.’

‘Oh,Ido,’saidOlympiawithrelief.‘YouhavenoideahowgladIamtoseeyou;Idon’tknowwhatI’msupposedtodo.’Shewavedasmallcapablehandroundherrathervaguely.

Theothergirllaughedgently.‘HowbadofWaldototellyounothing,’sheexclaimedinhersoftgentlevoice.‘Isthatnotlikeaman?andyoudonotspeakourlanguage.YoudonotmindifItalkwithEmma?’

‘Goahead.’Olympiafeltrelievedbutsomehowlonelyasshelistenedtotheirmeaninglessconversation.ItwasbetterwhenElisabethsaidatlast:‘Emmasaysthatyoudonotneedtodoanythinginthehouse,unlessyouwishtodoso,sheandJoannahavealwaysdoneeverythingbetweenthem.Shesaysitwouldbeniceifyousawtotheflowers,andthatyouwillbebusywithyourlessonseachmorningandthereisRiatofetchhomefromschooleachmorningatnoon.Andpresentlytherewillbevisitorsandfriendswhowillcall.Shewillbemostgladtogoaroundthehousewithyouandshowyouthecupboardsanddrawers,andifyouliketogototheshopswithher,shewillbehappytoteachyouwhattobuyandhowmuchitcosts.’

Olympiaheavedasighofpleasure.‘Oh,that’snice—Ishalllikethat,toknowalittleaboutthings.WillyoutellEmmaI’dlovetogowithher.I’llgetmyteachertoexplainthemoneytometoday;thatwillbeastart.’

Elisabethnodded.‘That’sright,andbeforelongyouwillknowenoughDutchtobeabletoorderthemealsandsoon.TherearefoodswhichWaldodoesnotlike,andthosewhichhelikesverymuch,andIwilltellyouofthose—andRiatoo,sheisperhapsalittleawkwardsometimes,butIamsurethatverysoonshewilllikeyouverymuchandthatwillbeniceforallofyou.’

Olympiafrowned.‘Shedoesn’tlikemeatallatthemoment;I’msorryaboutit,butIquiteunderstandthatI’mastrangertoher,andshehasnoreasontolikeme,hasshe?I’mquitepreparedtowaituntilsheisusedtome.’

Elisabethtuckedafriendlyarmintohers.‘Youwilldoverywell,Olympia,andrememberthatIamalwaysgladtohelpyou.Waldoisabusyman,andbesidesthat,hehaslefteverythinginEmma’shandsforsuchalongtime—evenwhenEstellewasaliveshehadnointerestinthehouse,yousee—iftherewerepartiesorentertaining,Isawtothemforher.’

Olympiawasmomentarilydiverted;shehadn’timaginedWaldo’swifelikethatatall;hemusthavelovedherverymuchnottohavemindedsuchan

arrangement;perhapsshehadbeensobeautifulthathehadn’tcared,perhapsallthatmatteredtohimwastocomehometosomecherished,fragilecreaturewhowashiswholeworld.Sherealizedthatherimaginationwasrunningriotandthatithurt.

Shecheereduplater,though,forherteacher,MijnheerBlom,wasayoungishmanfullofconfidenceinhisabilitytoteachhertherudimentsofhislanguageinthequickestpossibletime,andsomeofthisconfidencehetransmittedtoher,sothatbytheendofherfirstlessonshehadmasteredahandfulofusefulwords,countedtoten,learnedthemoney,andcouldsayatolerablegoodmorning,goodeveningandhowdoyoudo.Whatwasmore,hepromisedherthatwithinaweekshewouldhaveenoughwordsathercommandtomakeherselfunderstoodinherownkitchen,andwhensheinquired,ratherapprehensively,aboutthegrammar,heurgedherwarmlytoforgetthatforthemoment.Ashegotuptogo,hesaidhearteningly,‘TomorrowwewillwalkroundthishouseandIwilltellyoutheDutchwordforeverythingwhichweseeinit;weshalldothateverydayuntilyouareabletotellme,andnotIyou—inthatwayyouwilllearnveryquickly.’

Olympiawasleftwithherhomeworkandanoverpoweringdesiretolearnallshecouldinthequickestwaypossible,andwhenitwastimetofetchRiafromschoolsheboldlyrefusedJoanna’scompany,andarmedwithastreetmapwiththeschoolmarkedwithacrossuponit,setoffbyherself.Itwasapleasantday,thoughcool,andshefoundhersurroundingsdelightful.ShehaddiscoveredthatthepeacefullittleplaceinwhichtheylivedwascalledBalansandledintoafairlybusystreet.Sheturnedintoitandwalkedalongslowly,pickingoutthenamesofthesidestreetsasshewent.Theschoolwasdownanarrowcul-de-sacandthechildrenwerealreadycomingout.ShesawRiaalmostimmediatelywithabunchoflittleboysandgirlsofherownage,andwaitedquietlyuntilthechildsawher,butifshehadhopedforanimprovementinRia’smannertowardsher,shewasdisappointed.Thechildscowled,badehersmallcompanionsgood-byeandcameslowlytowardsher.

Olympiatookareluctantlittlehand.‘Hullo,’shesaidcheerfully,andtheninherveryexperimentalDutch:‘Wijgaannaarhuis,’whichatleasthadtheeffectofmakingRiagiggleatherfunnyaccentandburstintochildishspeechwhichOlympiawasquiteunabletounderstand.

Riafellsilentpresently,andso,perforce,didOlympia,sothattheshortjourneybackhomewashardlyahappyone.Theydidn’ttalkovertheirluncheither,althoughOlympiatriedpointingtothethingsaroundthemandsayingtheEnglish,inthehopethatRiawouldcopyher—butRiawaseithernotinterestedorunfriendly,shewasn’tsurewhich.Andtheirafternoonwalktogetherwasjust

assilent;theywentthroughtheAbbeygroundsandoutthroughtheothergateintothetownandlookedatafewshops,thenwalkedhomeagainthesameway.

Notaverysuccessfulday,thoughtOlympiaasshetidiedherselfforteaafterattendingtothelittlegirl’ssmallneeds.Itwasareliefwhenthedoctorcamehomeintheevening,verysoonaftertea,tofindthepairofthemsittingbythefire,Riaengrossedinthedolls’houseandOlympiathumbingthroughherdictionary.Nodoubttheypresentedapleasingpicturetohim,thoughtOlympia,herheartracingatthesightofhim—ifonlyheknewwhatamiserabledaytheyhadspent!Butherecommonsensecametoheraid;nothingwastobegainedbyself-pity;itwasearlydaysyet,therewasnoreasonwhyRiaandsheshouldn’tbecomefirmfriendsinduecourse.ForthatmattertherewasnoreasonwhyWaldo,aidednodoubtbysomemiracle,shouldn’tdiscoverhimselfinlovewithher.Shesmiledwrylyatherthoughtsandaskedhiminanicefriendlyvoicewhatsortofadayhehadhad.

Butshewasforcedtoadmittoherselflaterthatforthemomentheshowednosignsoffallinginlove.Theyhadspentapleasantevening;anhourorsowithRiabeforeshehadputthelittlegirltobed,andthenanotherquiethourbeforedinner,talkinginamatter-of-factwayabouttheday’shappenings—justlikeanoldmarriedcouple,shethoughtwistfully.Andafterdinnerhehadexcusedhimselfonthegroundsofworktobedone,andgonetohisstudy.Shehadtappedonthedooronherwaytobedathalfpasttenandhehadwishedheragoodnightwiththecasualwarmthofanoldfriend.Shewentupstairsunhappily,despitethestrongremindertoherselfthathisbehaviourwasexactlywhatshehadexpected;itwasexactlyasithadbeenbeforetheymarried—goodfriends,hehadsaid,onlyshehadbeenfoolishenoughtospoilitallbyfallinginlovewithhim.

CHAPTERFIVE

AWEEKWENTBYATTHEENDofwhichOlympiahad,justastheredoubtableMijnheerBlomhadassuredher,acquiredafairnumberofusefulwordsintheDutchlanguage,ahandfulofconvenientphrases,andagoodsliceofhisbuoyantself-confidence.ShehadalsoacquiredanevendeeperloveforWaldo,whowasprovinghimselftobekind,placidlygood-humouredandgeneroustoafault.Shehadbeentakenabackatthesizeoftheallowancehehadgivenher,butoverandabovethat,whentheyhadgoneoutwithRiaoneafternoon,hehadboughtherseveralexpensivetriflesshehadadmired,andwouldhavegoneondoingthisifshehadn’trealizedintimethatshehadonlytosaythatshelikedsomethingforhimtoimmediatelypurchaseitforher.Andwhenshehadpointedoutthatshealreadyhadagenerousallowancefromhimandhehadnoneedtobuyheranything,hehadrepliedthatafteryearsofbeingalonebutforRia,itwasapleasuretohaveawifeforwhomhemightbuyprettythings.Thisremarkhadincreasedherself-confidencestillfurther;shefoundagoodhairdresserandarrangedtovisithimweekly,andtookevengreaterpainswithherface,whileatthebackofhermindaresolvewasformingthatshewouldmakehimloveher.Shewasn’tatallsurehowtosetaboutthis,forshehadhadlittleexperiencewithmen—AuntMariahadseentothat—butlookingatherreflectioninthegreatgilt-framedmirroronthelandingshetookcouragefromit;prettyclothes,agoodhairdresserandtheknowledgethatshehadbeguntomastertheDutchlanguageandallitsintricacieshadallcontributedtowardsturningherintoaquitedifferentgirlfromtheoneshehadbeen—theoneWaldohad,rathersurprisingly,chosentomarry.Whatcouldhehaveseeninher?shewondered;shemusthavelookedprettyawful—sherememberedthetweedsuitandshuddered.

Andasthedayswentby,shebegantotakeherplaceinthehousehold,althoughshehadfeltnervousenoughwhenhehadmentionedoneeveningthathehadacceptedaninvitationtodinnerfromoneofhispartners.‘WimCassells,’hetoldher.‘You’lllikehimandhiswifeNetta.’Heglancedatherwithakindlysmile.‘Theyhavebeenlongingtomeetyou,buttheythoughtyouwouldneedalittletimetogetusedtoeverythingfirst.PaulBos,myotherpartner,willbetheretoo.He’stheyoungestofusandhasonlybeenmarriedacoupleofyears.Hiswifeisaboutyourage,Ishouldimagine—she’sEmmeline,buteveryone

callsherEmmy.’Hehadgotupandstrolledovertopourtheirdrinks.‘Doyouwantanewdressfortheoccasion?’

Shewasquiteshocked.‘I’veseveraldressesI’venotyetwornatall.ShallIhavetodressup,doyousuppose?’

Hislipstwitched,butheansweredhergravely.‘No,somethingpretty—likethatgreenthingyouhadontheotherevening.’

Olympiacouldn’tstopherselfsmiling;shehadn’tthoughtthathehadnoticedwhatshewore.‘It’scashmere,’shetoldhim.‘I’llwearit.’

Theyhadstartedalittlelatefortheirdinnerparty,though,becauseRiahadchosentobedifficult.InthetendaysorsoinwhichOlympiahadlivedinthehouse,shehadbegun,verygingerly,tochangethelittlegirl’sroutine.IthadbeeneasyenoughtotakeoverfromEmmainthemornings,helpingwithshoelacesanddifficultbuttonsandbrushinghair,andthewalkhomefromschooleachmorninghadbecomeasettledmatteroverwhichthelittlegirlnolongerpouted.Indeed,Olympiahopedthatshewasevenbeginningtoenjoyitalittle,fornowtheycouldtalkjustalittle.Theafternoonwalkhadbeenhardertoestablish,butwiththegentlebribeoftwohoursinwhichtoplaywiththedolls’housewhentheygotbackhome,thattoohadbeendealtwith.Butbedtimewasanothermatter;Riadislikedgoingtobedatareasonablehour.Eventheofferofeatinghersupperinthelittlesitting-roomwhilethedoctorandOlympiasattheretoo,talkingoverthedayinapleasantfashion,wasn’tenoughtopersuadeher.AndwhenOlympiahadmentionedittoWaldo,unfortunatelyatatimewhenhewasfrowningoversomehospitalreports,hehaddismissedheruneasinesslightlyandwithfaintimpatience.

‘Mydeargirl,’hehadsaid,‘IwarnedyouthatRiawasdifficultandratheroutofhand.I’msureyouaredoingverywellwithher,anddorememberthatElisabethhasbeengivingintoherfartoomuchandI,I’mashamedtoadmit,havealwaysbeentoobusy.Nowyoumentionit,shehasbeenstayingupfartoolateintheevening.Ileaveittoyoutoimprovematters.’

Shehadwantedtoanswerhimback,foritseemedtoheralittleunfairthatsheshouldbethescapegoatforsomeoneelse’sindulgence.Elisabethwasadear,butsogentleandkind,andprobablyithadneverenteredherheadtorefuseRiaanything.AndthatparticulareveningRiahadbeenparticularlytrying.Therehadbeenfloodsoftearsandfacespulled,smallheelsdrummedonthecarpetedfloorandtorrentsofDutchwhichOlympiawasthankfulshecouldn’tunderstand.Waldohadcomehomeinthemiddleofitallandhadcomeupstairstothebathroomtoseewhatallthenoisewasabout.Olympia,soakedfromRia’sangrysplashingsinthebath,lookeduptofindhimstandinginthedoorway,andalthoughhewasn’tsmiling,shewasawarethathewasamused.Shegavehiman

austerefrown,whiskedthelittlegirloutofthebath,wrappedherinatowelandsaidcheerfully,‘Here’sPapa.’

Itwasthesignalforafreshoutburstoftears.Olympia,alwaysapracticalgirl,pulledforwardastool,wavedaninvitationtothedoctortositonit,hoistedhercrossburdenontohiskneeandsaidforthrightly:‘Thepoppetisfullofgrievances—willyoudryherandletherunburdenherself?I’llbebackinaminutewithhernightie,thenifyouwouldcarryherdowntothesitting-room—shelikesthat,youknow—I’llhavehersupperreadybythefire.Canyousparethetimetostaywithher?She’shadenoughofmeforthemoment.’

Hislarge,well-kepthandswerealreadybusywiththetowel.‘Thatsoundslikeagoodidea.Yes,ofcourseIcansparethetime,thoughIwashopingtospenditwithyou,butnevermindthatnow.Perhapsweshallhavetimeforatalkafterwegetbackthisevening.’

Herwholebeingglowedwiththeknowledgethathewantedhercompany.‘Doyouwantadrink?’sheasked.

Heturnedhisheadtolookatherandsmiledslowly.‘Whatathoughtfulwife—yes,deargirl,Ido.I’llhaveitdownstairswhilethisimpishavinghersupper.’

Thedelayhadbeenworthittoo.Riapouredouthersmallwoes,wasdried,putintohernightieanddressinggown,reprovedgentlyandbornedownstairsonthedoctor’sshoulder,toeathersupperinhiscompany.BythetimeOlympiareturnedtotakehertobedshehadrecoveredagooddealofherspirits,andbeyondsomehalf-heartedgrumblingasshewastuckedupforthenight,appearedtowelcomethetrucebetweenthem,howeveruneasy.Olympiahadhadtohurryafterthatinordertobereadyforthedinnerparty,butshemanageditwithaminuteortwotospare,andnooneseeinghercomingslowlydownthestairswouldhaveguessedthathersereneappearancecoveredavarietyofworriesanddamped-downunhappinesswhichwassomehowallpartandparcelofherloveforthedoctor.

Afterthatbadbeginning,though,theeveninghadbeenasuccess,andwhatwasmore,shehadenjoyedherselfenormously.Foronething,everyonespokeEnglish,whichmadeherfeelinstantlyathome,andWaldowaseverythingshecouldhavewished,charmingandcourteousandattentive,andyetshehadtoadmittoherself,shecoulddetectnothingmorethanhisusualfriendlinesstowardsher—hardlytheattitudeofanewlymarriedman,butmoreasthoughtheyhadbeenacomfortablymarriedcoupleofsomeyears’standing.Buttherewasnouseinlettingthatworryher,indeedshewouldhavetomakeuphermindtonothingmorethanthatfortherestoftheirlivestogether,unlessbysomemiraclesheshouldsucceedinmakinghimfallinlovewithher.Hermouthcurvedatthethoughtandsheglanceduptofindhisgazefixedonher—an

admiringgaze;evenshe,inexperiencedthoughshewas,couldseethat.Shelookedaway,burstingwithhersmalltriumph,wonderingwhytheadmirationhadbeentingedwithsurprise.

Theyreturnedratherlate,fortheyhadsataroundtalkingafterdinneranditwaseleveno’clockbeforetheyleftWim’shomeontheothersideofMiddelburg.OlympiawentintothequiethousewhileWaldoputthecaraway,andwanderedintothesitting-roomwherealamphadbeenleftburning.Hejoinedherthereinafewminutesandaskedheratonceifshewastired.

‘No,notatall,’sheassuredhim.‘Whataverypleasantevening.’‘Youenjoyedit?I’mglad.’Hewasstandingjustinsidethedoor,watching

her.‘Ihopedyouwould;weseeagooddealofeachother,WimandPaulandI,andthatmeansthatourwivesmeetfrequently,too.’

‘Thatwillbenice,’saidOlympiainarathersmallvoice.‘I’veneverhadmanyfriends—Ishalllikeitverymuch.’

Hesaunteredtowardsher.‘You’renotlonely,Olympia?You’rehappyhere?’‘No,I’mnotlonelyandI’mveryhappy,’shetoldhimsteadily.Hewasclosenow,closeenoughtoputhishandsonhershoulders.‘Ihavea

dayfreeonSaturday,soIthoughtwemightgoout,thethreeofus—Ihaveafriend,GijsvanAmstel,whohasapracticeinZierikzee—that’salittletownnearhere.HemarriedanEnglishgirlayearorsoago,acharmingcreature—they’reexpectingtheirfirstbabyverysoon.Theywantusforlunch,wouldyoulikethat?’

Shesmiledwidely.‘Oh,verymuch,Waldo,andsowillRia.Dowegobycar?’

Henodded.‘Halfanhour.ThereissomethingelseIpromisedyou—apuppy.I’vearrangedtocollecthimonSunday,afterchurch.’

Hereyeswereonhis,andthekindnessinthemmadeherblinkbacksuddentears;itwassomehowironicthatthismanwhomshelovedsoverymuchshouldbetheonetomakeherlifesopleasant;allthethingsshehadlongedforanddreamedofhehadgivenherwiththecasualkindnessofabigbrother.

‘You’resokind,Waldo.’Evenassheuttereditsheheardhervoiceascendingintoasmallwailandfelthishandstightenonhershoulders.

‘Mydeargoodgirl,thereisnothingtocryabout;I’mnotintheleastkind—IwantedtoseeGijsanyway,andasforthepuppy,Imustthankyouforaskingmetogetone,itwassomethingIhavebeenputtingoff.’Hebentandkissedhergently.‘Youlookveryprettythisevening,deargirl,’heranafingerdownonecheek,‘andyouaren’tasthinasyouwere.WhenIfirstmetyouyouwerenothingbutasmallbagofbones.’

Shemanaged:‘Oh,wasI?’stillthinkingofhiskiss.‘Imustn’tgetany

plumper,though;noneofmyclotheswillfit.’‘Thenwewillbuynewones.’Hegaveheracharmingsmile.‘Gotobed,my

dear.’Hebenthisheadtokissheroncemore,barelybrushingherhairthistime.‘Sleepwell.’

Shewenttobedinalittleglowofdelight;Waldohadsaidthatshewaspretty—hehadnevertoldherthatbefore.Shecurledupinthecentreofthewidebedandsleptonthethought.

Saturdaywasafineclearday,thoughtherewasacoldwindblowing.Olympia,inaprettybluetweedsuitshehadn’twornbefore,herhairpiledasthehairdresserhadinstructedher,feltasparkofsatisfactionatthesightofherselfinhermirror;shewouldneverbearavingbeauty,butwithhersoftbrowntressesbecominglyarrangedandherfacecarefullymadeup,shecouldalmostpassforpretty,andindeedwhenshewentdownstairsforbreakfastwithRiaholdingherhand,friendlyforonce,thelongconsideredlookWaldogaveherwasalltheconfirmationsheneededofthispleasantfact.

Theysetoutassoonasthemealwasover,withRiaelectingtositinthebackofthecarwithadollforcompany;shehadwantedtositbesideWaldo,buthisfirmrefusalhadsquashedthat,andwhenOlympiahadofferedtokeephercompanyonthebackseat,shehadbeenrefusedwithstonypolitenessandableak,politelittlefacewhichhadalmostspoiltthemorningforher.Butnotquite;itwasimpossiblenottofeelhappy,theprospectofawholedayinWaldo’scompanysawtothat.

ShewasenchantedbyherfirstglimpseofZierikzee;thesightoftheancientlittletownasWaldoslowedthecartogothroughthecenturies-oldgateintoitsmainstreetwaseye-catchingaswellasunexpected.Thesunshoneonthecanalwater,thecobbledstreetsoneithersideofitwereteemingwithallthebustleofaSaturdaymorning,andthehousesliningthecanaloneithersideweresovariedandpicturesquethatshedidn’tknowwheretolookfirst.

‘Likeit?’askedWaldo,goingslowlyalongthecanalandthencrossingitbyabridgeatitsend.‘Gijslivesjusthere.’Hedrewupashespokebeforealargehouse,ratherlikehisown,onlythisonehadagardenatitssideandawingoverlookingit.Olympiahadtimetoseethatbeforethedoorwasopenedbyanelderlywoman.‘Lien,thehousekeeper,’Waldointroducedher,saidsomethingtomakehersmile,badetheexcitedRiabehaveherself,andmarshalledhissmallpartyintothelonghall.Thereweredoubledoorsononesideofit;theywerethrownopenatthatmomentandGijsandSerenavanAmstelcameouttowelcomethem.Inthegeneralhubbubofchatterwhichfollowed,Olympiahadachancetotakestockofherhostandhostess;Gijs,shedecidedatonce,wasnice,largeandplacidandgood-natured,andSerenawasquitelovelywithadark,

gipsy-likebeautywhichOlympiaenviedevenasshedecidedthatshewasgoingtolikeherverymuch.Theirgreetingsover,Serenasaidgaily:‘Comeupstairsandleaveyourthings—Riatoo.Themenwillstarttalkingshopatanymoment;we’llgivethemtenminutestogettheworstofitofftheirchests.’

TheyclimbedthestairsatthebackofthehallandOlympiasaidimpulsively:‘Thisisfun—Imean,havinganEnglishgirltotalkto.’

Serenaturnedtolookather.‘HaveyoumetNettaandEmmy?Nice,aren’tthey?butIknowwhatyoumean.’Shesmiledengagingly.‘IwouldhavecomedowntoMiddelburgtoseeyou,onlyI’mhinderedbythis…’shepattedherselfgently.‘Gijshaslovelyold-fashionedideasabouttakingcareofme,andthatmeanshedoesn’tlikemedrivingmylittleMini—soIdon’t.’

SheledthewayintoafinelyfurnishedbedroomwhereshehelpedRiawithhercoatandtidiedherhairwhileOlympiamadethebestofherselfatthemirror,listeningtothetwoofthemtalking.Serena’sDutchsoundedwonderfulandshesaidso.

‘Yourswillbejustasgoodinnotimeatall,’herhostessassuredher.‘Areyouhavinglessons?Andgoingshoppinghelpsenormously—thethingistoblunderalongandnevermindtensesandthingslikethat;everyone’sfartoosweettolaughatyouandinacoupleofmonthsyou’llbeabletohearyourownmistakesandputthemright.’

‘Thegrammar…?’‘Don’tbotherwithit,’counselledSerenaairily.‘Thatwillcomelater—you

shouldhaveheardmewhenIstarted.DoyouchatwithRia?’‘Alittle…’‘Difficult,isshe?Nottobewonderedat—nomotherforallthattimeand

onlyElisabethdeValspoilingher.’ShelookedatRia,standingontiptoetolookinthemirror.‘She’sapoppet,though.’

‘Oh,yes,andI’mveryfondofher.Elisabeth’sbeenverykindandhelpedmeagreatdeal.IthinkIshouldhavebeenlostwithoutherduringthefirstfewdays—shekneweverything.’

‘I’msureshedid.Shallwegodownandprisethosemenapart?They’veprobablygonetothesurgerytoreadeachotherextractsfromtheLancet.’

Butthemenwerewaitingforthem,thecoffeetrayreadyononeofthetablesinthecomfortablesitting-room.Fromthenonthedaycouldbenothingbutasuccess;Ria,borneawaybyLientothekitchentodrinkhermilk,returnedpresentlywithGus,Serena’sdachshund,claspedtohersmallchest.‘Dog,’shedeclaredimportantly,andsmiledwidely,andhavingsecuredanaudience,elaboratedwith:‘Alittledog.’

‘Oh,youclevergirl!’criedOlympia.Atleastherewassomethingshehad

achievedwithRia.ShelookedacrosstheroomatWaldoandsmileddelightedlyandhesaidlazily:‘You’llhavetolooktoyourlaurels,Olympia,orRiawillbeatyoutothelanguagestakes.’

Hepickedupthelittlegirlandsatheronhisknee,Gusandall,andsmiledatheroverthedarkhead,sothatsheglowedoncemorewithcontentandforthenextfewhoursshelivedinanillusionofhappiness,helpedperhapsbytheundoubtedblissofthevanAmstels,aswellasWaldo’sairofrelaxedpleasure;evenRiaseemedtoacceptheratlast.Thehourspassedtooquickly;itseemednotimeatallbeforetheyweregettingintothecaragainwithasleepy,contentedlittlegirlsafelytuckeduponthebackseat,theprospectoffuturevisitslighteningtheuncertaintyofOlympia’smood,forshediscoveredthatoncetheyhadleftthevanAmstels,Waldohadbecomeveryquiet,andafteroneortwoabortiveattemptsatconversation,shehadallowedherthoughtstotakeover,wonderingwhathadgonewrong;everythinghadbeenabsolutelywonderful,butnow,allatonce,hehadbecomewithdrawn,justasthoughshehadannoyedhiminsomeway.Shegotoutofthecarinadefiantmoodwhentheyreachedthehouse,andfollowedbyWaldowiththesleepyRia,wentindoors,whereshewaskeptbusyforthenexthour,gettingthelittlegirlreadyforbedandseeingtohersupper.

Therewasstillhalfanhourtilldinnerwhensheeventuallygotdownstairsandthesitting-roomwasempty,andwhenshewentalongtothekitchenEmmatoldhersmilingthattherewasnothingtodo.Shewentbacktothesitting-roomandwanderedround,movingthingsandputtingthembackagain,switchingtheTVonandthenoff.ShewaschoosingarecordwhenWaldocamein.

‘Ididn’tknowyouweredown,’heremarkedpleasantly.‘Iwasinthestudy.’‘Working?’shespokeforsomethingtosay.‘Youhaveagreatdealtodo.’‘NotmorethanIcanmanage—andthisisn’twork.’Hedidn’ttellherwhatit

was,onlyofferedheradrinkandbegantotalkcasuallyabouttheirday.Hetalkedthroughoutdinnertoo,amusingsmalltalkwhichrequiredlittleornoreplyfromher,onlywhenshemethiseyesfromtimetotimeshewasdisconcertedattheirintentness,sothatshefoundherselfasking:‘Waldo,whywereyouso—sosilentonthewayhome?HaveIannoyedyou?Ithoughtthedaywassodelightful…’

‘Itwas.IfIwasquietitwasbecauseIhadsomethingtothinkabout—andyouneverannoyme,deargirl.’

Itwasextraordinaryhowheneverquiteansweredherquestions,sothatevennowshehadnoideawhathemeant.Theywentbacktothesitting-roomfortheircoffeeandpresently,unabletobearstayingtherewithhimanylongerwithoutburstingoutwithherdoubtsandfearsandlove,shepleadedtirednessandsaid

thatshewouldgotobed.Butasshestooduphecameovertoherandcaughthergentlybythearms.‘There’ssomethingIwanttosay,’hebegan.‘I’mnotquitesurehowtosayitbecauseit’ssomethingI’mnotsureaboutmyself,butperhapstogether…willyoustayforafewminutes?’

Shestaredupathim;shehadnoideawhathewantedtotalkabout,buthewaslookingatherwiththatcuriousintentnessagain,asthoughheweretryingtodiscoversomethinginherface—somesecret.Shehadnosecrets—butofcourseshehad,anenormousone,nevertobetold.Shemanagedasmile.‘OfcourseI’llstay—tellmewhat…’butgotnofurther,forthefrontdoorbellpealedandtheyheardEmma’sbriskstepinthehall.ButWaldostillheldherfast.OnlywhenthedoorwasopenedandEmma’svoicesaidflatly:‘JuffrouwdeVal,Mevrouw,’andElisabethcamein,didhereleaseher,andthenslowly.HisvoiceheldnothingbutpleasureashegreetedElisabeth,though,andOlympiahastenedtoexclaim:‘Hownicetoseeyou—I’llgetsomemorecoffee,youmusthaveacup.’

Elisabethlookedapologeticallyather.‘Olympia,I’msosorry—tocallatsuchanhouranduninvited.Pleaseforgiveme,Iamnotyetusedto…’Shepausedandwentondiffidently:‘Untilyoucame,IwalkedinandoutasthoughthisweremyhomeandIdonotalwaysremember—Iamtrulysorry.’ShelookedsoupsetthatOlympiagaveheraquickcomfortingkiss.

‘You’realwayswelcomehere,youknowthat.NowI’mgoingtogetthatcoffee.’

Whenshegotbacktenminuteslaterthetwoofthemwereatatable,agreatmanypapersspreadoutbeforethem,deepintalk.Olympiapouredthecoffee,setitnearthemandwentbacktoherchair.Aftertenminutesorsoshegotupagainandwenttothesmallsecretaireinonecorneroftheroomandstartedtowriteaquiteunnecessaryletter.Itgavehersomethingtodoandmadeherfeellesslonely.

ItwashalfanhourbeforeWaldoturnedroundtosay:‘Sorryaboutthis,Olympia,butElisabethhassomebusinessshecouldn’tdealwithandsheknewIwouldbehomeatthistime.Weshan’tbemuchlonger.’

Olympiamurmuredinacheerfulvoiceandbeganonanotherletter.Shewrotewithouthaste,butevenso,shehaditfinishedlongbeforeWaldostartedtotidyupthepaperswhichcoveredthetable.‘Thatsettlesthat,’heobservedcheerfully.‘Elisabeth,Ishouldgoalongandgetthesedealtwithassoonasyoucan.’

Elisabeththankedhiminhersoftvoice.‘I’vespoiltyourevening,’shedeclared.‘Ifeelsomean.Whynotcomeovertomorroweveningforadrinkafterdinner,justtoshowthere’snohardfeelings?’

ShespoketoOlympiabutlookedatWaldo.Olympialookedtoo.Hedidn’t

seemtodisliketheidea,sosheacceptedwithabrightsmilewhichmostsuccessfullydisguisedherdisappointment.Elisabethwasadear,butiftheywentouttomorroweveningtherewouldbenotimetotalk.ShefeltannoyedwithWaldoforacceptingwhenhecouldsoeasilyhavemadesomeexcuse;perhapshehadhadsecondthoughtsabouttellingherwhateveritwashehadwantedhertoknow,andanyway,shethoughtcrossly,hewasn’tgoingtogetthechancenow.WaldohadgoneouttothestreettoseeElisabethintohercar;Olympiatookcaretobegoingupstairsashecameinagain.Fromhalf-wayupsheturnedtosmileathim.‘Goodnight,’shecalled,‘Ididenjoymyday.’Shedidn’twaittohearhisreplybutranuptherestofthestairsandintoherroom.

SundaywaslargelyRia’sday,andOlympia,rememberingherownbleakchildhood,understoodthisandagreedwithitwholeheartedly.Sundaywasafamilyday;howeverbusyWaldowasduringtheweek,unlesshewasoncall,itwasRia’srighttohavethelion’sshareofhim.Shequitecheerfullytookabackseat,onlymakingsurethatthehouseholdransmoothly,thattherewasasuitablefestiveteaifanyofRia’ssmallfriendsshouldcomeroundtoplay,andthatshewasproperlydressedandingoodtimeforchurchinthemorning.Waldo,shehaddiscovered,wasanunobtrusivepillarofhischurchandhadtakenitforgrantedthatshewouldbetoo.Andindeedshehadbeengladofthis;atthenursinghomeshehadseldomhadtheopportunityofgoingtochurchonaSunday,forAuntMaria,whosetgreatstoreonpresentingtherightimagetoherworld,attendedregularly,whichmeantthatOlympiahadtostayinchargeofthepatients.

Sheputonthetweedsuitagain,addingaprettylittlehat,thepriceofwhichstillmadeherfeelfaint,elegantglovesandahandbagwhichmatchedhershoes,acombinationshehadalwayslongedtoachievebeforehermarriageandhadneverquitemanaged.Shetuckedawayastrayendofhair,marvellingasshedidsohoweasilyitwastogetusedtohavingenoughmoney,althoughshestillwasn’tquiteusedtogettingthecharminggiftsWaldogaveher—flowers,ascarf,abeautifulcoralandgoldbroochwhichhetoldherhadbeeninhisfamilyforyears.Shewaswearingitnowonthejacketofhersuit,butheprobablywouldn’tnoticethatshehaditonandshefeltshyofbringingittohisnotice,forshehadtheuneasyfeelingthatalthoughhegavehersomuch,hediditasafriendwouldgive;togiveherpleasurebutnotfromanydeeperfeelingonhispart.

Theywalkedtheshortdistancetochurch,throughtheAbbeycourtyardandouttheotherside,Riabetweenthem,holdingtheirhands,chatteringlikeasmallmagpieandproudofherselfinherbestcoat.Andafterchurchtheywenthometocoffeeandthengotintothecar—thesecondcarWaldokeptinthegaragebehindthehouse,aDaimlerdoublesixVP,andthistimeRiawassqueezed

betweenthem.ThepuppywasaWelshcollie,stillsmallandwoollyandendearingly

anxioustoloveandbeloved.TheymadethereturnjourneywithRiaonthebackseatthistime,herarmsroundthepuppy’sneck,andtherestofthemorningwastakenupwithchoosinganameforhim,althoughitwasaforegoneconclusionthatRia’sinsistencethatheshouldbecalledStNikolaaswouldoverrulethemoresensiblesuggestionsputforwardbyherelders.Itwasthedoctorwhoconvincedherfinallythatthenoble-soundingnamecouldbeshortenedverynicelytoNiko,asuggestionwhichwashappilyreceived,andtherestofthedaywasoccupiedmostsatisfactorilyinintroducingNikotohisnewhome.

Olympia,watchingthelittlegirlplayinginthegardenwithhernewcompanionfeltthesameillusionasshehadhadatthevanAmstels’house;onthesurfaceeverythingwassoexactlyright,andyetshefeltuneasilythatshewasthereunderfalsepretences.True,shewasmanagingtoestablishherself;EmmaandJoannalikedher,shehadseveralfriendsandanumberofacquaintances,andwhentheydinedoutshecouldnotfailtoseethepleasedlookonWaldo’sfacewheneverhelookedather—sometimesshethoughtithadbeenmorethanpleased—proudwouldhavebeenthebetterword;shehadbaskedinthatlookofhisandyetstillshedidn’tquitefitin;countlesssmallthingsshowedupherignoranceofacomfortablyrunhousehold;shewouldnever,shefeltsure,getusedtobeingarichman’swife,eventhoughElisabeth,whenshehadbeenextrasillyaboutsomething,pointedoutinherkindwaythatovertheyearsshewouldbecomeaccustomedtohernewwayoflife.‘Youdoverywell,’shehadencouragedher,‘andyouworksohardatit,too—butnottoohard,Olympia.Youdon’twantWaldotoseethat—itwouldirritatehim,youknow,toseethatyouarenotquite—quite…menarestrange.’

Andasthedayspassedshethoughtofthatwhenevershelookedupandfoundhimlookingatherwiththatintenseinquiringlook.Perhapshewasregrettinghismarriage,perhapshewascomparingherwithEstelle,whomusthavebeentherightsortofwifeforhim;lovelyandusedtoluxuryandservantsanddoingverylittleallday.ShetriedtostiflethedisturbingthoughtinhoursofhomeworkforMijnheerBlom,whobecamequitealarmedatherindustryandbeggedhernottooverwork.Shewasmakingprogressnow,though,learningwithafierceconcentration,sothatshecouldgoshoppingbyherselfandanswerthetelephonewithoutbecomingpanic-stricken.ShehadevenengagedElisabeth’smotherinconversationwhentheyhadgoneroundfordrinks.MevrouwdeValspokealmostnoEnglishandhadbeendelightedwhenOlympiaunderstoodatleastpartofwhatshewassayingandcouldevenreplyafterafashion,althoughherreplieswerealittlevague;ElisabethhadcarriedWaldooff

tothegreenhousetoseesomeplantsshewasworriedabout,andOlympiawasappalledatthestrengthofherdesiretogetupandgowiththem.Shewasbitterlyashamedofherselfwhentheycamebacklater,becauseElisabethwascarryingabowlofhyacinthswhich,sheexplainedinherprettyway,wereespeciallyforherdearOlympia.Olympiaburiedhersensiblelittlenoseintheirfragrance;shehadneverfeltsomeaninallherlife.

Itwasthreedayslater—andhappydaystheyhadbeen,too,withthepuppytooccupyheraswellaslookingafterasmallgirlwhoseemedatlasttobemorefriendly.Shehadmademarmaladetoo,anddonesomebakingunderthemotherlyeyeofEmma;theonlysmallcloudinherskyhadbeenthefactthatWaldohadn’tmadeanyattempttocontinuethetalkwhichElisabethhadinterrupted.Hehadbeenbusy,withanepidemicofmeaslesinthetownandaseriesoflecturestogiveinUtrecht,shewouldhavetohavepatiencewithhimaswellaswithhislittledaughter.Butnowthismorning,hehadleftthehouseforhissurgery,takingRiawithhimasusual,andshehadspenthalfanhouratthestorecupboardwithEmmadecidingtheday’smeals,butnowthatthislittletaskwasdone,therewasstillalittletimebeforeMijnheerBlomwouldarrive.Shestrolledfromthekitchentothesmallsitting-room,justintimetotakethereceiverfromitscradleasthetelephonerang.Answeringitwasstillsomethingofanadventure;sometimesitwasoneofherever-wideningcircleoffriends,oroneofthepartnerswithamessageforWaldo,sometimesitwasapatientandshewasforcedtocallEmma.ShesaidnowinhercarefulDutch,‘GoedMorgen,metDocteurvanderGraaf.’

ThevoiceattheotherendwasunmistakablyEnglish,feminineandflustered.‘DoyouunderstandEnglish?’itwantedtoknow.‘ImustspeaktoDoctorvanderGraafprivately—itisveryurgent.Wouldyoufetchhimforme,please?’

‘Wouldhiswifedo?’askedOlympia,curiosityquiteovercomingher.Thevoice—averyprettyvoiceitwastoo—becameevenmoreagitated.‘No,

no—onnoaccountmustyoutellher,shemustn’tknowthatI’mtelephoning.’Olympiadrewasteadyingbreathandswallowedthequestionsshelongedto

ask;insteadsheinquiredsedately:‘Hasthedoctoryournumber?IfsoI’llaskhimtoringbackwhenhecomesin.’

‘Please,’saidthevoice,‘andyoudounderstandthatnooneelsemustknow—especiallyhiswife.’

‘Oh,yes,Iunderstand,’saidOlympia,stillsedate.‘Good-bye.’Shehungup,apreytoavarietyofstrongfeelings.Whocoulditbe?Alovelyvoice,belonging,nodoubt,toalovelygirlwhowanted,forsomereason,totalktoWaldo.Sheremembereduneasilythathehadbeenspendingalotoftimeinhis

studylatelyandseveraltimeshehadaskedthatheshouldn’tbedisturbedbecausehewasexpectinganimportanttelephonecall—fromthisgirl?Theremustbesomeperfectlyinnocentreason.Commonsensetookoverforabriefmoment,butwasswampedinaseaofhighlyimaginativeconjectures.Ifthereasonhadbeenaninnocentone,whyhadn’tthegirlgivenheramessageforWaldo,andwhyhadshebeensoanxiousthatnooneshouldknowaboutthecall?Olympiawalkedupanddownthesitting-room,nibblingherfingersandfrowningheavily;shewasstillatitwhenMijnheerBlomarrivedandremarkedplayfullythatitwasevidentfromherdistraughtairthatshehadn’tdoneherhomework.

‘Oh,butIhave,’sheassuredhiminanover-brightvoice.‘Thepasttense,wasn’tit?Look,Iknowalltheverbsyoutoldmetolearn.’

Sherecitedthemlikeagoodchildandheapplaudedher,wonderingatthesametimewhyshelookedsopale.Shewas,hehadconfidedtohiswife,averyniceyounglady,notpretty,butwithanattractiveairabouther,butnow,thismorning,shelookedquiteplain,andhervoice,usuallysogentle,soundedquitedifferent.Perhapsshewasn’tfeelingwell,orstartingacold.Pleasedwithhimselfforhavingsolvedhislittleproblem,heembarkedonafreshbatchofverbsbeforetheirdailytourofthehouse.ButnowitwasOlympiawhonamedeachobjectastheycametoit,andtodayhepromotedhertoaddingasuitableadjectiveastheystarted,asusual,inthesitting-room.

‘Alargechair,’saidOlympiainherpainstakingDutch,‘asmalltable,asquarecarpet,someprettyflowers,atelephone…’Shehadcometotheendofheradjectivesandlookedinquiringlyatherteacher,whosuggestedtheDutchwordfornecessary.Sherepeateditobediently,thinkingthatasfarasshewasconcerneditwasnothingofthesort;itwasn’tnecessaryforhertoknowaboutWaldo’sgirl-friends;shedidn’twanttoknow,allthesameshewasgoingtoaskhimtheminutehesetfootinsidethehouse—shecarednothingforhisprivateaffairs,butshehadarighttoknow.Shecametoahalt,thesemuddledthoughtsracingroundandroundinsideherheadlikemiceonawheel.‘Ihaveafearfulheadache,’shetoldtheastonishedMijnheerBlom.‘I’msosorry,youreallymustexcuseme,’andfledfromtheroom.Upstairsitwasquietwiththepeaceofanoldhouse.Shesatonthebedinherroom,andbecauseshereallycouldn’thelpherself,hadanicecry.

Shefeltbetterpresently,andwhenElisabethcalledsometimelaterwiththekindlypurposeofescortinghertotheshops,shewasabletogreetherquitenaturallyeventhoughherfacewasstillalittlepale.Sheputonacoatandtiedascarfoverherhairagainsttheboisterouswind,snatcheduphershoppinglistandjoinedElisabethontheshortwalktotheshopswhereshegaveherorderforthe

week’sprovisions,visitedthebutcherandthefishmongerandpurchasedafewhouseholdnecessities,frequentlycorrectedbytheever-helpfulElisabeth,whoneverseemedputoutorbad-tempered.Shewassokind,thoughtOlympia,strugglingtomakeherselfunderstoodoverthechange,nowonderWaldoandRiaweresofondofher.TheyfinishedtheirshoppingatlengthandwalkedontocollectRiafromschool,andOlympia’smoodwasbynomeansimprovedatthesightofthelittlegirl’sobviousjoyatseeingElisabethwhilesheherselfwasgreetedwithremotepoliteness.

Therestofthedaydraggeduntilthedoctorcamehome,andwhenhedid,Riawasthere,eatinghersupperinherprettyquilteddressinggown,whileOlympiacarriedonahesitantconversationwithher;herDutchwasimprovingdaily,butevenso,withoutanyhelpfromthelittlegirl,itwasuphillwork.Allthesame,shedidherbestandonlypausedwhenWaldosaidfromthedoor:‘Youdeserveamedalforperseverance,Olympia,’andwhetherhewasreferringtoherstrugglewithhismothertongueorhereffortstobreakdownRia’shostility,shedidn’tknow.Hecrossedtheroomanddroppedacasualhandonhershoulder,thenwenttokissRia,andafterthattherewasnochancetotalktohimalone,notuntilRiahadbeenputtobedandshehadcomedownstairsagaintofindhimonthepointofgoingtohisstudy.

‘Therewasatelephonecallforyou,fromEngland,’shebeganwithoutpreamble,andwasshatteredtofeelhowshetrembledinwardly;thetremblingturnedtostillnessasshesawhimhaltandturntolookatherwithsuddenlyalerteyes.

‘England?’hequestioned,andwhensherealizedthathewasn’tgoingtosayanymorethanthat,shewenton:

‘Itwasawoman,agirlIimagine,byhervoice—itwaspretty…’Sheswallowedtheangershehadbeennursingalldayandwentonsteadily,‘Shewasanxioustospeaktoyou—shedidn’tknowwhoIwas,butshetoldmenottotellyourwife.’

Heregardedhergravely,hisfaceimpassive.‘Itakeitshedidn’tgivehername?’

‘No.Shesaidyouknewthenumber,’andinthesmallsilencewhichfellbetweenthem:‘Waldo,whoisshe?’

Heansweredherblandly,‘MydearOlympia,ifyouinsistuponananswer,Iwillgiveyouone,butIshouldverymuchprefernottodoso.’

‘Never?’Hervoice,toherannoyance,cameoutinanangrysqueak.Theblandnesshadbecomesilky.‘Whenthemomentisright,Iwilltellyou.

Willthatcontentyou?’Itdidn’t,butsheignoredthatforthemoment.‘Doesithavetobeso—so

secret?’andgreatlydaring,becausetheblandfacetoldhernothing:‘DoI…thatis,doesitconcernmetoo?’

‘Yes,itdoes.’Shewaitedforhimtosaymorethanthat,butapparentlythatansweredbothquestions.Hertempernicelyundercontrolbutspurringheron,sheasked:‘Haveyouknownherlong?’

Hiseyebrowslifted.‘Afewweeks—shortlyafterweweremarried.’Suddenlyhesmiled.‘Ibelievethatweareatcrosspurposes—itisnotatallwhatyouthink.’

Sheallbuttossedherhead.‘I’mnotintheleastinterestedinyourprivateaffairs,’shetoldhimwithimmensedignityanduttermendacity,andfeltannoyedwhenheansweredcalmly:‘Inwhichcase,thiswholeconversationhasbeenratherawasteoftime.Nowifyouwillexcuseme,Imustmakeatelephonecall.’

‘Oh,certainly,’saidOlympiapettishly.‘I’msorryI’vebeenwastingyourtime.’Sheaddedsavagely,‘Ihaveagreatdealofknittingtodo,’whichabsurdremarkheacknowledgedwithagentlenodandgood-humouredagreement.Sheseethedasshewatchedhisbroadbackdisappearintohisstudyandthensuddenlyherangerwent,forwhatwastheuseofit?ItwasthekindofsituationonereadaboutinnovelsandtheSundaypapers—someoneinlovewithsomeonewholovedsomeoneelse,onlytheyalwaysendedneatlyindivorce.Sheshivered,quiteunabletocontemplatesuchathinghappeningtoher.Butitcould—Waldocouldn’tbeblamedifhehadmetsomeoneheloved;hehadmadenobonesaboutthetermsoftheirmarriage;noharmwouldbedoneiftheyweretopartandhewouldbegeneroustoher,althoughsheknewthatshecouldnevertakeapennyofhismoney.Shehadhardlymadeherselfindispensable,hadshe?Lookedatfromeveryangle,shewasquitesuperfluousinhislife.Shepickedupherknitting,attackingitwitharuthlessnesswhichhadnoregardtotheintricatepattern.

CHAPTERSIX

THATSAMENIGHTRIAFELLILL.Therehadbeennowarning,shehadbeenpeacefullyasleepwhenOlympiapeepedinonherassheherselfwenttobed.Itwasoneo’clockinthemorningwhenOlympiawasawakenedbyafaintsoundfromthelittlegirl’sroomdirectlyabovehers.Shegotoutofbed,putonherdressinggownandslippersandranupstairs.Riawasbeingsick,hersmallfacegreenishwhite,andwhenOlympiatookasmallwristinherownsteadyone,itwastofeelaracingpulseandafeverishwarmth.Shecleanedthechildupgently,putonafreshnightie,coveredhercarefullyandrandownstairstoWaldo’sroom.Hewasn’tthere,butdownstairsthelightinthehallwasstillburningandwhenshetappedonthestudydoorandwentin,hewasthere,sittingathisdesk.Eventhen,withhermindfullofRia,shecouldseehowtiredhelooked,hisbrowsdrawntogetherinawearyfrown,butashegottohisfeethisfacebecameitsusualplacidselfoncemore,althoughhiseyeswerealert.

‘Ria,’shesaid,notgivinghimachancetosayanything,‘she’sbeendreadfullysick,herpulseisuptooandshe’sfeverish.’

Hehadcomeroundthedesktostandbyherandspokewithreassuringpromptness.‘Let’sgoupandhavealookather,’andsmiledsokindlyatherthatshechokedalittle.‘IhadalookatherbeforeIwenttobed,shewasfastasleepthen.’

Theyweremountingthestairstogether,hisarmroundhershoulders,foralltheworldasthoughtheyhadn’tdisagreedsosharplythatveryevening.‘Measles?’hemusedoutloud.‘There’splentyofitabout—butshe’sbeenimmunized.Somethingsheate?Supper?’HeturnedaquestioninglookonOlympia.

‘Amugofcocoa,Marmitesandwiches,onesweetbiscuitandanapple,’sheansweredpromptly.

‘Notsupper,then.Appendix?Couldbe—we’llsoonknow.’Riahadfallenintoanuneasysleep,butshewakenedastheywentinandwas

sickagain.WaldostoodatthefootofthebedwhileOlympiacleaneduponcemoreandthenwenttositonitsedge.Hewasquickandgentle,listenedpatientlytoRia’stearfullittlevoiceashepokedandprodded,andwhenheansweredherhisownvoicewasreassuringlyquietandcalm.Whenhehadfinishedheglanced

atOlympia.‘Appendix—I’mprettysureofit.We’llgetherroundtothehospital.Wrap

herupwarm—dressinggownandblanketswilldo—I’llgoandtelephonePietdeHaan,he’llhavealookandseewhat’stobedone.’

Hesaidsomethingjokinglytothelittlegirlandwentaway,leavingOlympiatorollhercarefullyinblanketsandcollectafewthingstotakewithher.Therewasnothingtoputthemin,though,sosheflewdowntoherownroomtofetchasmallcaseofherownandwhenshegotbackfoundEmmaonthelanding.TherewasnotimetoexplaininherslowDutch,soshepushedachairbyRia’sbedandwavedEmmaintoitandthenrandownstairsagain,thistimetoflingonsomeclothesandbundleupherhair.ShewasbackagainafewminutesbeforeWaldo,whocastaglanceathersweaterandslacksandtied-backhairandsaidwithapproval:‘Ah,goodgirl—Ihopedyouwouldcome,’thenturnedtospeaktoEmmabeforepickingupRia.

Hehadfoundtimetobringthecarroundtothedoor;theywereawaywithinsecondswithOlympiainthebackseat,Riaonherlap.Thelittlegirlwasveryquietnow,whimperingalittlefromtimetotime,clingingtoher.Thehospitalwasn’tfarandWaldotookashortcutthroughthenarrowcobbledstreets.Evenso,theywerewaitingforthem,metatthedoorbyanurseandaporterwithatrolleyandayounghousemantoo.Theywentinswiftprocessiontothechildren’sward,andtheywereexpectedtheretoo,withasmallbedturneddown,NightSisterstandingbyitandathinmanwithastoopandthinninghairtalkingtoher.OlympiawasintroducedrapidlybeforeWaldotookhimasidewhileRiawasputtobed.SomeonetookOlympiaintoSister’sofficethen,andgaveheracupofcoffeeandmurmuredkindly—conventionalphrasesofsympathyandoptimisminexcellentEnglish;thenWaldowaswithheragain,drinkingcoffeetooandtellinghercheerfullythatitwasanappendixandthatshewastogostraighttotheatrewherePietwouldwhipitoutforher.‘She’llbebackwithinthehour,’hetoldher,‘andhomeagaininaweek.’

‘She’ssolittle,’saidOlympia.Heputdownhiscupandtookherhandinacomfortinggrip.‘You’refondofher,aren’tyou?’heobserved,‘despitethedifficulties.I

warnedyouthatshewouldbeahandful,didn’tI,butIdidn’texpecthertofightagainstyou.’Hepaused,lookingatherfromhalfclosedeyes.‘Andyouhavedoneagreatdealforher,Ihaveseen…Itcan’tbeeasyforyou,Olympia.Ihavesometimeswondered…’hepausedandOlympia’sheartstoodstill.Theirquarrelwasstillfreshinhermind.Whatwashetryingtosay?Washegoingtoaskherifshewouldliketobefreeagain?Beforehecouldspeakshesaidquickly,‘Idon’tknowwhyRiadoesn’tlikeme.OnceortwiceI’vethoughtthatshewas

beginningtolikemejustalittle,andthen—it’sasifsomeonehadwarnedheragainstme…’hervoicetrailedawayandsheknewthatshehadfailedinherefforttomakehimunderstandforhetookhishandawayandsaidbracingly:‘Thatdoesn’tsoundlikeyou,Olympia.Youmustbefeelingtiredandalittleoverwrought.Wouldyouliketogohome?Icangetsomeonetotakeyou—Riawillbequiteallright;I’llgointotheatrewithPietandthenstayuntilshe’sround.’

‘I’dratherstaytoo,ifyoudon’tmind,I’llnotbesilly.AndWaldo,I’msorryaboutthisevening;IhadnorighttospeaktoyouasIdid,itisn’tasifI’m—we’re…’Shewasboggeddowninasentencewhichshedidn’tknowhowtofinish.‘We’refriends;yousaidso,andIwasn’tveryfriendly.’

ShelookedroundasthedooropenedandNightSisterputherheadroundandsaidbriskly:‘They’rereadyintheatre,Doctor.’Shewentawayagain,andWaldogottohisfeet.Itwasjustasthoughhehadn’theardOlympia’sapology,forallhesaidwas:‘You’llbeallrighthere?Weshan’tbelong.’

Theywerelessthanfortyminutes,andwithinanotherhalfhourRiahadopenedhereyes,declaredthatshewassleepyandclosedthemagain.Olympialookedatthesmall,colourlessfaceonthepillow,tryingtoseesomethingofWaldoinit.Therewasnothing,butthatdidn’treallymatter;shewasWaldo’schildandbecauseofthatshelovedhertoo.Shebenttokissthedarkhair,thenwenttothankPietdeHaan,whowasgulpingdowngreatdraughtsofcoffeewhilehewroteupthechart.Hewasaniceman;sheknewthatinstinctively,andwhenshethankedhimhesmiledwithrealfriendliness.

‘WaldoandIareveryoldfriends,’hetoldher.‘Manyisthenighthehasgotoutofhisbedtoseetomyeldest—anasthmatic,youknow;nowI’vehadthechancetopaybacksomethingofwhatIowehim.’

ShehadgonehomewithWaldoafterthatandfoundEmmaandJoannawaitingforthemwithmorecoffeeandagreatmanyanxiousquestions.Itwashalfpastfourbeforetheywereallbackintheirbeds.

Whenshegottothehospitalafterbreakfast,driventherebyWaldoonhiswaytothesurgery,itwastofindRiasittinginachair,lookingwashedoutbutperfectlyhappy.Thedoctorcastaknowledgeableeyeoverherchart,madeafewinquiries,kissedherrapidlyandwithaffectionandwentonhisway,leavingOlympia,whohadhadtheforesighttobringthelittlegirl’sfavouritedoll,Ton,withher.ShealsosuppliednewsofNiko,alittlehamperedbyhavingtousethesamewordsoverandoveragain.ButhereffortspleasedRia,whogabbledawayhappilyandwhenshegotuptogo,kissedherwithsomethingapproachingaffectionsothatOlympiawalkedbackhomewithherspiritssoaringateverystep.

Lifewasn’ttoobad,afterall;Waldohadseemedgladtohaveherwithhimwhentheyhadgonetothehospital,althoughshehadtoadmitthatapologizingtohimhadbeenawasteofbreath;perhapshehadn’theard;hemusthavebeenworriedaboutRiadespitehiscalmmanner,andonthisbrightmorningwiththesunshining,eventheawfulshadowofthegirlinLondonseemedvagueandunimportant.ShewouldredoublehereffortstomakeWaldoloveher,althoughshehadn’ttheleastideahowbesttosetaboutit,butatleastshewouldtry.Optimismcamefloodingback,bringingwithitagaietywhichmadeMijnheerBlom,whenhearrived,reversehisopinionofthepreviousday;theyoungladywasprettyafterall.

HehadjustgonewhenElisabetharrivedandwhenOlympiatoldheraboutRia’ssuddenremovaltohospital,shewassurprisedtoseeherfriendfrown.‘What’sthematter?’sheaskedanxiously.‘Youlookquitecross.’

Elisabethsmiledhergentlesmile.‘Notthat,Olympia,alittlepuzzledthatI,anoldfriendandonewhohaslovedRiasinceshewasababy,wasn’ttoldatonce.Icouldhavecomfortedher—gonewithhertothehospital.’

‘Butitwasoneo’clockinthemorning,’protestedOlympia,puzzled,‘andwelookedafterherverywell,youknow,andwentwithherandstayeduntilshewasbackinbedagain.I’vejustbeentherethismorningwithWaldo,she’ssittingoutinachair,lookingmarvellous.’

Elisabethsaidgently:‘Younurses—alwayssobright—Iexpectthatyougethardenedtoillnessandpain.’

‘No,wedon’t.InfactIthinkwehateitmorethanpeoplewhodon’tunderstanditverywell,onlywemustn’tshowit,we’retaughttohideourfeelings.’

Hercompanion’slovelyblueeyesstudiedhers.‘Doyou?Doyoureally?Areyouabletohideyourfeelingscompletely?’

‘Iimagineso.’Shewasstillpuzzled,Elisabethwassointense,andusuallyshewassuchasereneperson.Shetuckedherhandunderherarm.‘Comeandhavesomecoffeeandthencometotheshopswithme.Iwanttobuysomewool.’

‘Moreknitting?ButRiahastwonewpulloversandnowyouareknittingacardigan.’

‘Thiswon’tbeforRia.IthoughtI’dmakeWaldoaverythicksweater,readyfornextwinter.There’ssuchalotofhim,itwilltakemethewholesummertoknitit.’

Shelaughedasshespoke,butElisabethremainedserious.‘Butitwillbeawasteoftime.HedislikesallsweatersbutthecashmereoneshebuysinLondon.IknowbecauseIalwaysknittedthemforhimuntilhetoldmethathelikedonly

thesewhichhebought.’Olympiapouredhercoffee.‘Oh,well,I’llstartoneforme—Iliketohave

somethingtodo,youknow.’Shewasdisappointed,butshewasn’tgoingtoletitshow,andlaterthatday,onherwaybackfromthehospital,despitewhatElisabethhadtoldher,sheboughtavastamountofwoolandapattern.ItwasinDutchandshewouldhavetopuzzleitoutforherself,althoughMijnheerBlommighthelp,orEmmaandJoanna.Shedidn’tthinkshewouldaskElisabeth.

ThehouseseemedveryquietwithoutRia,andnow,ifhehadwantedtotherewastimeenoughforWaldototalktoherwhenhegothomeeachevening,butitseemedthathehadhadsecondthoughtsaboutit,forafterhalfanhourwithher,talkinglightlyaboutnothinginparticular,hewentawaytohisstudyashealwayshaddone,leavinghertowrestlewiththepullover.Butshehadmanagedtomakeonesmallchange;shehadbeggedWaldotolethersorthispostforhimeveryday.‘Icanreadquitewellnow,’sheassuredhimnotquitetruthfully—‘notyourletters,ofcourse,’sheaddedhastily,‘Iwon’topenthose.’Shehadlookedathimasshehadsaidthatandgoneabrightpinkatthefaintmockingsmileonhisface.‘Perhapsit’snotsuchagoodideaafterall,’shehadmuttered,andwassurprisedwhenhesaidsmoothly:‘Onthecontrary,itisaverygoodone.Byallmeansdoit,itwillbeagreathelptome.’

Sonowshehadtheexcuseofaskinghimaboutvarioussmallitemsintheposteachday,sothatsometimeshestayedjustalittlelonger,butnotoften,andnever,shefeltsadly,ofhisownwish.Butshehadthebitbetweentheteethnowwithtwovisitstothehairdressereachweekandsomethingdifferenttoweareverydayandaquiterecklessextravaganceinperfumes.Itwasn’tuntiltheeveningbeforeRiawastocomehomethathecamebackfromhisstudywithNikoathisheelstofindheronthefloorwithherknittingspreadoutaroundher,poringoverthepattern.Shemadeaprettypictureinherredcorduroyshirtwaisterwithherbeautifullydressedhair,frowningalittleinanefforttounderstandwhatshewasreading.

Shelookedupashecameinandthendownatthepatternagain,becausehelookedsolargeandassuredstandingtheresmilingather,thatshelongedtorunintohisarms—andthatwouldn’tdoatall.

‘Needsomehelp?’Hisvoicewascasual.‘Well,yes—yousee,it’saknittingpatternandIcan’tquiteunderstandit.’‘Ifit’sknitting,Idon’tsupposeIshalleither,butI’llhavealook.’Hegot

downbesideherandreadtheinstructions,ahandonhershoulder,hisfaceveryclosetohers.Whenhehadsolveditforherheasked:‘Forwhomisthismarathonknitwear,deargirl?’

‘Well,IthoughtI’dmakeyouapulloverforthewinter,youknow,but

ElisabethsaidthatyouonlyworecashmereonesfromLondonanditwouldbeawasteoftime,andIexpectitis,onlyIwantedto.’Sheaddedbreathlessly:‘You’vegivenmesomuch—whateverhappens,I’llneverforgetthat,norbeabletothankyouenough.’

Shefoundherselfonherfeet,hishandsatherwaist.‘Whatadearkindgirlyouare,andElisabethisquitemistaken;IalwayswearathicksweaterinthewinterwhenIgointothecountry.Ishouldliketohaveitverymuch,itwillbesomethingtorememberforyears.’

Shespoketohischin.‘Thenextlinegoes:“Torememberwithtears”—it’sabitfromapoembyWilliamAllingham.’

‘Thedrearyfellow!’Hekissedhersuddenlyandfiercelyandthenlethergo.‘There,there’ssomethingyoucanrememberwithouttears,Ihope.’

Hegrinnedatherandwentbacktohisstudyandatdinner,halfanhourlater,heappearedtohaveforgottenthathehadeverkissedher.Apassingwhim,shetoldherselfandenteredenthusiasticallyintohisplansforRia’sreturn.Butperhapshehadn’tforgottenafterall,forlaterthateveningasshewasonthepointofgoingtobed,hehadwishedhergoodnightandadded,‘Youlooksweet,andyousmellsweet,Olympia,’hetouchedherhairlightly,‘andthis—thisischarming.Youhavechangedintheselastfewweeks.’Helaughedsuddenly.‘OrisitIwhohavechanged?Andnowyouareknittingmeasweater.’

Olympiaalmostheldherbreath—hadshebeensoobviousinhereffortstocapturehisattention?Shesaidwoodenly:‘Itwasonlyanidea—Imean,Icanturnitintosomethingelse.’

‘Don’tdothat—IpromiseyouthatIshallwearit.’Whenshewasinbed,shewentovertheconversation,wordforword.What

hadhemeantbychanging?Andhadhemeantforthebetter?Andhehadadmittedthathehadchangedtoo.HadhebeenhintingaboutthegirlinLondon,butinthatcasewhyhadhetoldherthatshelookedsweet?Tosoftentheblow,asbetweenfriends?Sheclosedhereyes,halfasleep;perhapsshehadimaginedthegirlinLondon.

Butshehadn’t.UpearlythefollowingmorningbecauseshehadseveralthingstodobeforeRiacamehome,shewentdowntothesitting-room,stillinherdressinggownandslippers;shehadforgottentofetchthenewdressshehadmadeforTonthedoll;itwasinherworktableinthesitting-room,andifshedidn’tgetitnow,itmightgetforgotten.ShewouldtakeituptoRia’sroomandputitbyherbed,whereitmightbeseenwhenthelittlegirlgothome.

Thehousewasquiet,andbecauseNikowouldstillbeasleepinhisbasketinthekitchenshewasextracarefultocreepsoundlesslydownthestairsandacrossthehall.Shewasalmostatthesitting-roomdoorwhenshesawthatthestudy

doorwasopenandthatWaldowasthere;shecouldhearhisvoice.Hewasonthetelephoneandhisvoicewaslowandclear.Afterthefirstfewwordsshestoodstillasamouse,shamelesslyeavesdropping,forhehadsaidwithsofturgency:‘Don’ttelephonehereanymore,theriskistoogreat.’Andpresentlyhewenton:‘I’llringyou,andwhenyouwrite,sendyourletterstothesurgery.MywifesortsmypostandIdon’twanthertodiscoveranythingatthisstage.’TherewasapauseandOlympiaimaginedtheprettyvoiceinhisear.Therewasahardlumpinherchest,risingintoherthroatandthreateningtochokeher.Sheswalloweditbackandwaitedforhisnextwords.

‘Sendthebillstome,’hisdeepvoicesoundedunhurried,‘andgetwhateverelseyouwantatHarrods—I’veanaccountthere.’Therewasanotherpause,duringwhichOlympia’simaginationranriot,butshecheckedittohearhimsay:‘I’llcomeoverwithinthenextfewdays,weshallneedtogotothesolicitoroncemore,Iimagine.’Hewassilentthenuntil,apparentlyinanswertoaquestion,hesaidquietly:‘I’venoidea,butbetherewaitingforme.Good-bye.’

Olympiafledbackupstairsassilentlyasshehadcome,theentireconversationdancingbeforeherinlettersoffire,hisvoicestillinherears.Herownfaultforlistening,shetoldherselfbitterly,butwhobutasaintwouldhavewalkedawayafterthosefirstfewwords?

Shewalkedstraightthroughherbedroomandintothebathroom,wheresheranabathandlayinitswarmth,fightingtokeepcalm.Afteralittlewhileshedressedanddidherhairwithextracare,herfacetoo,rememberingasshedidsohowintheolddaysshehadsweptherbrownlocksintoaseverebunandusedonlyaminimumofmake-upbecausesheneverhadthemoneytobuyit,andnowherdressingtableheldatrulysplendidcollectionofpotsandjars,allofwhichshehadbought,usingthemassiduouslyintheunspokenhopethattheircontentswouldturnherintoabeauty.Theyhadn’tquiteachievedthis,butatleasttheyhaddoneagreatdealforher,althoughnothingatthemomentcoulddisguisehermiserablewhitefacecompletely.Shetriedoutoneortwosmiles,rubbedhercheekstogivethemcolour,andwentdownstairstobreakfast.

Waldowasn’tdownyet,orperhapshewasalreadyoutwithNiko.Almostguiltilyshesortedthroughthepost,arrangeditinthepileshelikedandretiredtoherownchairtoreadaletterfromAuntBetsy.Itwasacheerfulmissive,fullofamiscellanyofnewswrittenwithadryhumourandinabeautifulcopper-platehand.OlympiafoundherselfchucklingoveritandwhenWaldocameinafewminuteslater,shewasabletogreethimquitenaturally.Itwaseasyafterthat,forhehadhisletterstoreadandwhatconversationtherewasconcernedRia.

‘I’llbebackhereatten-thirty,’hewarnedher.‘Couldyoubereadybythen?I’llfitinasmanyvisitsasIcanafterwehavebroughtherhome,butImaybe

lateforlunch.’OlympiawasreadyandwaitingastheDaimlernoseditswayintoBalans

andstoppedtopickherup.Everythinghadbeendone;Ria’sfavouritelunchwasinthecourseofpreparation,Niko,neatlycollaredandwrigglingontheendofhislead,wasbesideher,Ria’sroom,gaywithflowers,wasreadyandTon’snewdresswasonitsminiaturecoathangerbythebed.ShegotintothecarbesideWaldoknowingthatsofar,atleast,theday,onthesurfaceatleast,wasgoingaccordingtoplan.Ifshewasalittlesilent,hercompaniondidn’tappeartonoticeitandthejourneywasashortone.TheywentintothehospitaltogetheranduptothewardwhereRiawaswaitingforthem,andOlympia,inherbestDutch,thankedthenursesandSisterandhandedoverthesmallgiftsshehadbroughtwithher.Shetalkedtothehousemantoo,aniceyoungmanwhomadeherfeelverymuchatherease;shelefthimquitereluctantlywhentheyfinallywent;hehadmadeherfeelattractiveandworthtalkingtoandshehadneededthatreassurancebadly.Waldo,savefortheoneortwounexpectedmomentswhenhehadactuallyseemedinterestedinherasayoungwomanandnotasafacelessfriendwhoranhishouseforhim,hadremainedremoteeventhoughhewasaskindandplacidashealwayshadbeen.Twiceontheirshortjourneytothehospitalithadbeenonthetipofhertonguetotellhimthatshehadoverheardhisconversationthatmorningandbeghimtoexplain,evenifthatmeanthearingaboutthegirlinLondon—anythingratherthanhisreservedfriendliness,butshehadn’thadquiteenoughcourage.

ShegotintothebackofthecarwithRiaandNiko,andhavingquietenedheryouthfulcompanions,remarked,forsomethingtosay:‘Thatwasallverysuccessful,wasn’tit?’

Heglancedatheroveronemassiveshoulder.‘Very—butdidyouhavetobequitesoforthcomingwithyoungWillem?’

Sheansweredhimwithanattemptatlightness,coveringherastonishmentasbestshecould.‘Thehouseman?Buthewassofriendly—Ilikedhim.’

‘Thatwasobvious,buttherewasnoneedtoshowitsoopenly.’Hewasdrivingthroughthebusymorningstreetsandhedidn’tturnround,

butfromtheglimpseshehadofhisprofileshecouldseethathewasangry.Butthensowasshe;shehaddonenothingtojustifyhisremark;laughedalittleandtalkedalittlewithapleasantyoungmanofherownagewhohadmadeherfeelgood.Temperroseinasplendidwavewithinandafineselectionofangryretortsscaldedhertongue,butsheheldthemincheck;itwasRia’shomecomingandnothingmustspoilthat.Shesaidinthemildestvoiceimaginable:‘Ifyouwanttotickmeoff,perhapsyou’lldoitlateron.’

Hedidn’tanswerher,butwhentheyarrivedatthehouse,stalkedinsidewith

Ria,leavinghertofollowwithNiko.AndElisabethwaswaitingforthem;asurpriseOlympiawasn’tsureshewaspleasedaboutornot.Itdidmean,ofcourse,thattherewouldbelessneedforWaldotomaintainafriendlyfrontinfrontofRia;italsomeantthatRiawouldgetfartootiredandexcited.ButElisabethwascharmingandveryunderstanding.ShesatquietlyonthesofabesideRia,holdingherhand,andwhentheyhadhadcoffeeandthelittlegirlhadcalmeddownalittleandWaldowasonthepointofleaving,sheproducedaprettilywrappedpackage,remarkinginhersoftvoicethatshehadn’tknownwhattobringRiaandthemomentthelittlegirlhadopeneditshewouldgo—perhapsWaldowouldgiveheraliftasfarastheMarkt?

Theribbonsofthegaylittlepackagewereuntiedandthecontentsliftedout—adoll’sdress,exquisitelymade,anexactreplicaoftheoneOlympiahadfashionedwithsuchcare,onlythisoneputherscompletelyintheshade;therewasamatchinghattooandatinyhandbagandevenajacket.Olympia,askedtoadmireitbyadelightedRia,didsowithcommendableenthusiasm.ItwasofcoursepurecoincidencethatElisabethshouldhavemadesomethingsoexactlylikehers,forhowcouldshehaveseenit?Olympiahadkeptthelittlegarmentsafeinherwork-tableallthetime—well,perhapsnotallthetime,butevenifElisabethhadseenitshewouldneverhaveplayedsuchaslytrick;theveryideawaslaughable,itwasoneofthosequirksoffate.Shesawthetwoofthemoffandthen,onsomeexcuseorother,ranuptothechild’sroomandtookthedoll’sdressonitsabsurdlittlehangerandstuffeditintothetopdrawerofthegreatpaintedcommodeonthelandingoutsideherbedroom.Shecouldgetridofitlater.

ItwasduringlunchthatRiaaskedherinapolite,hurtlittlevoicewhyshehadn’tgivenherapresenttoo,andWaldohadlookedupsharplyasthoughhehadsuddenlybeenstruckbythesamethought,buthemadenoremarkbeyondchidingthelittlegirlgentlyandthenplungingintoanaccountofNiko’sbehaviourwhileshehadbeenaway,sothattherewasnoneedforOlympiatoreply.Andwhatcouldshehavesaid?sheaskedherselfmiserably,staringdownatherplate,willingherselfnottoburstintochildishtears.ShewasbeyondtheexplainingshewouldhavetodoinDutchforastart.Itwouldsoundlikeanexcuseandifsheproduceditnow,Ria—andWaldotoo,forallsheknew—wouldprobablythinkshewasmerelycopyingElisabethinaninferiorway.Hertemper,neverfarfromthesurfacesinceWaldo’sunfortunateremarksthatmorning,roseagain;astrongdesiretothrowsomethingathimreplacedherwretchedness.Hereyerovedthetable;therewasaheavycutglassdecanterwithinreach—orthesoufflédishwiththeremainderofitsdeliciouscontentsstillstickingtoit.Herhanditchedtopickitup…Waldo’svoice,soundingsurprised,

broughthertohersenses.‘Olympia?’itheldfaintinquiry,‘issomethingthematter?’Asillyremarkandshelongedtotellhimso.Hadheforgottenhisnasty

remarksalready?Shehadnot.Shecontentedherselfbysaying:‘Therootofthematterisinme.That’sfromthePsalms,Ibelieve.ShouldI

takeRiauptorest?IfNikogoeswithher,Ithinkshewillbequitehappyandperhapsgotosleep.’

HecarriedthechildupstairsandleftOlympiatoattendtohersmallwants,tuckTon,resplendentinhernewoutfit,inbesideher,andliftNikoontothefootofthebed.‘I’llbebackinafewminutes,’shesaidcheerfullyinherhaltingDutch,‘toseeifyouareasleep,’andwasdisconcertedatthelookRiagaveherasshebenttokissher.Itwasdisappointmentandakindofresignation.Shewavedfromthedoorandpuzzledaboutitasshewentdownstairs.

OnthelandingbelowWaldowasstandingwiththetopdrawerofthecommodeopenandinhishandwasthedoll’sdress.Hesaidnothing,butlookedatherinquiringly,theridiculousgarmentheldcarefullyinonelarge,well-tendedhand.

‘Ifyoumustknow,’saidOlympiacrossly,‘ImadeitforRia—forherdoll—butElisabethhadmadeexactlythesameoneandsomuchbetter—andalltheotherthingswithit—thehatandthedearlittlejacket,evenahandbag…’Shegulped,frownedfiercelyathimandstalkedtothestairsandrandownthem,andbecauseshewantedtogetawayfromhim,rushedintothekitchen,shuttingthedoorbehindherwithadecidedsnap.Itwasadisappointmentthathemadenoefforttocomeafterher;sheheardthefrontdoorclosewithinminutes,andwhenhereturned,atteatimeinhonourofRia’sreturn,hewashisusualplacidself.Theyplayedcardsaftertea,justforhalfanhour,anoisygameofHappyFamilies,beforeRiawasborneaway,quitewillingly,tobed.

ItwouldlookfoolishifOlympiaweretoknitthesweaterwhentheyweresooutoftunewitheachother.Shedressedcarefullyinasoftbluejerseydress,wentdownstairsandestablishedherselfinthesmallchairbythefire,foritwasacoolevening.Theroomlookedbeautifulwithitslampscastingasoftglowonthegleamingfurniture,andthelogssplutteringcheerfullyinthehearth,butWaldowasn’tthere.ShepickedupVogueandbegantoleafthroughit,butthemodelslookedimpossiblythinintheirgorgeousclothes,almostill;shehadbeenthinlikethat,nowshewasbecomingpositivelyplump.Perhaps,shethoughtidly,sheshouldgoonadiet.BeforetheirmarriageshewouldhaveaskedWaldo’sadviceandhewouldhavelaughedaboutitandshewouldhavelaughedwithhim.Thinkingaboutit,Waldohadn’tlaughedagreatdealjustlately.

Hecameinpresently,butnotbeforehissecretaryhadtelephonedfromthe

surgerytoaskwhereshecouldfindhim,andwhenOlympia,anxioustobehelpful,saidthatshewouldgivehimamessagethemomenthecamein,shehadbeenaskedtotellthedoctorthattherehadbeenanurgenttelephonecallfromLondon,andwouldheringbackassoonaspossible.

Shegavehimthemessageassoonashegotin,inawoodenlittlevoicewhichdefiedhimtosayanythingatall;shewasn’tsurprisedwhenhecamebackpresentlytotellherthathewouldhavetogotoLondononthefollowingdaybuthopedtobehomeagainwithintwodays.

CHAPTERSEVEN

ASASMALL,LONELYGIRLSHEHADlearnedtohideunhappinessdeepinhermindandfilltherestofitwithmatter-of-factthoughts.Shesaidnowinasensiblevoice:‘I’llpackabagforyou.Willyoutakethecar?’

Hestaredatherasthoughhehadn’texpectedhertosaythat.‘No,atleast,onlyasfarasSchiphol,Icanleaveitthereandpickituponmyreturn.I’llbeawayatthemostfortwonights.IcantakemorningsurgerybeforeIgoandWimandPaulmustmanagebetweenthemuntilIgetback.’

Hecrossedtheroomtostandinfrontofherchair.‘Olympia,doyouwanttoknowwhyIamgoingtoLondon?’

Shekepthereyesonthefashionablemodelstaringathersodisdainfullyfromthemagazinecover.Didtheelegantcreaturehaveproblemstoo?shewondered.‘Butyoudon’twanttotellme,’sheremindedhim.

‘No,Idon’t,butmyreasonsfornotdoingsoarepurelyselfishandpossiblyalittlefoolish—nevertheless,ifyouinsist…’

‘ButIdon’t.’Sheheardhervoice,niceandcoolandcalm,butshedidn’tdaretolookathim.‘Elisabethiscomingtodinner—hermotherisawayforthenightandshesoundedlonely.’Sheheardthesmallimpatientsoundandaskedquickly:‘Youdon’tmind?’

‘No,whyshouldImind?Sheislikeoneofthefamily.’Hisvoicehadastrangenoteinit,andonanimpulsesheasked:‘Wereyoueverinlovewithher?’

Hesoundedutterlyastonished.‘WithElisabeth?Goodlord,no!’ButElisabethhadbeeninlovewithhim,probablystillwas.Olympiawasall

atoncecertainofthatandwonderednowwhyshehadn’tknownitsooner.PoorElisabeth,unselfishlyhelpingherineveryway,givingadvice,beingherfriend,cushioningheragainstthesmallawkwardhappeningswhichcroppedupfromtimetotime.True,sometimestheadviceandcorrectionshadbeengivenwhentherehadbeenotherpeopletolisten,andshehadfeltafool,butElisabethhadn’trealizedthat.

Herthoughtscolouredbyherfriend’skindness,shewelcomedherevenmorewarmlythanusual,andwhenElisabethembarkeduponadviceconcerningthespring-cleaning,listenedhumbly,tryingtorememberallthatshewassaying.

Onlywhenshehadgone,withWaldoescortinghertohercar,didOlympiahaveasuddenuprushofrebellion;tospring-cleaninthehousewasnonsense,itwasalwaysspotlessunderEmma’sandJoanna’sdailyattention.Besides,theroutinecleaningofcurtainsandcarpetsandtheenormouschandelierinthesitting-roomandthesmalleroneinthedining-roomwasundertakenatregularintervals.Therewouldbenospring-cleaning,Olympiadecided.

CurioustoknowEmma’sopinionofherdecision,shewentalongtothekitchenandmadeherselfunderstoodonthesubject,onlytohaveEmmaovercomewithsurprise.‘Butthedoctorwouldbemostannoyed,’sheexplainedintheslowDutchsheusedwhenshespoketoOlympia.‘Wehavenotspring-cleanedforyears;eachweekaroomisturnedoutthoroughly,andthatisdonealltheyearround.JuffrouwdeValismistaken.’Shefrowned.‘SheknowsaswellasIdothatthedoctordislikesitverymuch.’

Olympiaateabiscuitfromaplatefulonthekitchentableandsaidcarefully:‘PerhapsIdidn’tunderstand.’

‘ButJuffrouwdeValspeaksEnglishtoyou,mevrouw.’Olympiaagreedthatyes,shedid,andateanotherbiscuit,praisedEmma’s

baking,wishedhergoodnightandwentbacktothesitting-room.Waldowasthere,standingbythewindow,lookingoutintothedarkgarden.Heturnedroundasshewentin,remarking:‘WhatagoodfriendElisabethis.Shemusthavebeenofgreathelptoyou.’

Olympiaagreed.Shemustreservejudgment;undoubtedlyshecouldn’thavebeenlisteningproperlytoElisabeth,orthekindsoulhadforgottenthatWaldodislikedhavinghishometurnedinsideout.Anyway,itdidn’treallymatter.Shemadeafewprosaicremarksabouthisjourney,declaredherintentionofgoinguptobedaftershehadpaidafinalvisittoRia’sroom,andwishedhimaserenegoodnight.Noone,watchinghergoingwithcalmleisureupthestairs,wouldhaveguessedatherunhappiness.

Shesawhimoffthenextdaywithasmilingfaceandnosignofthecuriositywhichconsumedher.TherehadbeenlittletimetotalkduringbreakfastandwhattheyhadsaidhadbeentodowithRia,andwhenhereturnedtopickuphisovernightbagaftersurgery,shetookcaretokeeptheconversationvagueandpleasant,neveroncementioninghisstayinLondon.Andhehadn’twanteditotherwise,orsoitseemed.Onlywhenhewasonthepointofleavinghehadheldhercloseforamoment,andshe,betrayedintoliftingherfaceforhiskiss,receivednone,onlyhemutteredsomethinginhisownlanguageashetouchedhercheekwithagentlefinger.Hehadleftthen,withoutanotherword,andshehadremainedintheemptyhall,listeningtotheLamborghini’spurrdyingintonothingness.Anicecrywouldhavedoneherapowerofgood,butRiawasinthe

sitting-room,alittletearfulbecauseherpapahadgoneaway,andalthoughOlympiafeltherselftobeapoorsubstitute,atleastshemightbeabletofillthegapuntilhereturned.

Andindeedshedid.Elisabeth,whomOlympiahadexpectedtovisitthem,didn’tcome;thetwoofthemspentthedayhappilyenoughwithNikotodivertthem,thedoll’shousetosetinorder,andaftertea,arousinggameofHappyFamilies,withEmmaandJoannaropedintomakeitmoreexciting.Riahadmasteredthenameseasilyenough,butEmma’seffortstopronounceMrBuntheBakerkeptherlaughinghappilyuntilbedtime,andwhileshewaseatinghersupper,thedoctortelephoned.

Olympia,whohadhadahopefulearstretchedforthelasthourorso,forcedherselfnottohurrytoanswerit,whileherimaginationpaintedavividpictureofWaldosippingchampagneinthebeautifulgirl’sflat,beingdivertedbyherscintillatingconversationandrememberingimpatientlythathereallyshouldtelephonehiswife…Thisabsurdvisionwassorealtoherthatshepositivelysnapped‘Hullo’inthecrossestofvoicesandwasbroughtbacktorealityimmediatelybyWaldo’squiet:‘Hullo,Olympia,whyareyouupset?’

Shemadehastetodenythisandaddedbrightly:‘Ihopeyouhadagoodtrip.We’vehadaniceday,RiaandI.’Shebeckonedtothelittlegirl,liftedherontoherlapandwentonbeforehecouldspeak,‘HereisRiatotalktoyou.’

Riahadalottosayandtooksometimetosayit.Whenatlengthshehadfinished,shegavethereceiverbacktoOlympiaandstayedwhereshewas;inthecrookofherarm.‘Hullo,’saidOlympiaonceagain.

‘I’llbehometomorrowevening,’saidWaldoinherear.‘AnythingfromWimorPaul?’

‘No—Paultelephonedtoaskifwewereallright,hesaidtheywerecopingverywell.’

Inthelittlesilencewhichfollowedsheclearlyheardthetinkleofglassesandsomeonelaugh—awoman.‘Mustgo,’shespokestifflyinanefforttosoundnatural.‘Ria…’

‘Yes,ofcourse.Goodnight,deargirl.’Herreplywasglacial.Thenextdaydragged.Riahadmadetheswiftrecoveryallhealthychildren

make,andnow,almostwellagain,wishedtodoallthethingssheshouldn’t.OlympiadevotedherwholedaytohersaveforherDutchlessoninthemorning.Somehowshecouldn’tbeartomissthat,ithadbecomeimportanttoherthatsheshouldconquerthetongue-twistinglanguageatthesoonestpossiblemoment.AnambitionwhichMijnheerBlomfoundmostlaudableandcertainlypossible;hehadneverhadapupilwhoworkedsohard,heassuredher,listeningtoher

renderingoftheconditionaltensewithaperseverancewhichdidher—andhim—credit.

WaldohadtoldRiathathewouldbehomeintimetocarryheruptobed,anightlypracticethemoppetsetgreatstoreby,andforonceOlympiahadnotroubleingettingherbathedanddressing-gownedanddownstairsinthesmallsitting-room,wherehersupperwaswaitingforher.

‘ItwillpleasePapaverymuchifyouhaveeateneverythingupbythetimehearrives,’counselledOlympia,andwhilethechildateobedientlybegan,haltingly,toreadTheTaleofBenjaminBunnyinDutch.ItwaspurechancethatElisabethshouldcallonlytenminutesbeforeWaldoarrivedhome,andpurechancethatthefirstthingheshouldseeasheenteredtheroomwasElisabethsittingonthefloorbesideRia,withherarmaroundher.Olympia,whohadtakenthesuppertraybacktothekitchenandsohadmissedthesoundofhisarrival,gotbackintimetoseeElisabethspringtoherfeetandgotowardshim.ShehadalmostreachedhimwhenhesawOlympia,andwiththebriefestofsmilesforElisabeth,wenttomeether.Hebenthisheadandbrushedhercheeklightlyandsaid:‘Hullo—you’rewearingthatprettydressagain.HowisRia?’andbeforeshecouldreply,‘I’vebroughtaguestwithme.’

Itwaspreposterousforhertoimagine,evenforonemoment,thathehadbroughtthegirlbackwithhim,butshedid.Sheturnedastrickenfacetohis,sothathecaughtherhandandexclaimed:‘Mydear,whatisit?You’retired—butAuntBetsywon’tneedentertaining,youknow.’

‘AuntBetsy?’echoedOlympiafoolishly,andsmiledbrilliantlyathim.‘Oh,dear—I’msosorry,Ithought…’Shewasunabletotellhimwhatshehadthought,andagoodthingtoo,sherealizedlater,becauseRiacamebouncingoutofthesittingroomandWaldoturnedawaytoswingherupintohisarmsandthengotothedoorwhereAuntBetsywasstanding.

Olympiahurriedforwardtoo.‘AuntBetsy,howlovely!’shecried,‘anddoforgiveusforleavingyoutostandthere.’

‘Nonsense,mydear,’saidMrsvanderGraafcomfortably,‘husbandsshouldhaveafewminutesinwhichtogreettheirwives.Ihadnointentionofcoming,Idoassureyou,butWaldopersuadedmetospendacoupleofdayshereandIverymuchwantedtoseeyouagain—andRia.’Sheturnedtogreetthelittlegirlandthenlistenedattentivelytoherdramatictale,toldwithagustowhichsetthemalllaughing.

‘Well,comein,’beggedOlympiaatlast.‘You’dlikeadrink,I’msure—Elisabeth,youtoo.’

ButElisabethdeclinedinherpleasant,quietvoice;shewouldnotintrudeuponthefamilycircle,shetoldthem,alittlewistfully,shehadonlycalledround

toseehowherdarlingRiawasgettingon.OlympiawentwithhertothedoorandwishedherherusualwarmgoodnightandaskedhertocomeagainwhileAuntBetsywasstaying.Elisabethgotintohercar,sayingvaguelythatshehadseveralthingstodoandperhapsshewouldn’thavetime.

‘Oh,well,nevermind,’saidOlympiacheerfully.‘Comeroundwhenyoulike,youknowyou’rewelcome.’

Elisabethsmiledather.‘IthinkthatRiabeginstolikeyoumorethanshelikesme,’shecommentedlightly.

‘She’sveryfondofyou,butitwouldbemarvellousifshewouldacceptmeashermother.I—I’mveryfondofhertoo,youknow.I’vethoughtduringtheselastfewdaysthatshehadbeguntolikemealittle.’

Theothergirlnodded.‘Yes,Ihavenoticeditalso.NowImustnotkeepyou,Olympia.Good-bye.’

OlympiawentbackindoorsandforgotallaboutElisabeth.Waldomightbeinlovewithadozengirls,butjustfortheblessedmomenthewashere,sittinginhischair,alookofcompletecontentmentonhishandsomeface.Notbecausehewaswithheragain—sheknewthat—buthelovedhishomeandsheranitexactlyashewishedandthatmadehimhappy.Besides,hehadRiaagain,sittingonhisknee,undoingthegailywrappedboxhehadbroughtforher.TherewasaglassathiselbowandAuntBetsy,lookingmoreelegantandunapproachablethanever,wassittinginahigh-backedchair,sippingappreciatively.

‘Don’tgetup,’criedOlympiaasWaldobegantoliftRiafromhisknee.‘I’llgetmyselfsomething.’Sheglancedattheirstatelyguest.‘AuntBetsy,whatareyouhaving?’

‘Madeira,child,andanexcellentone.HowWaldocandrinkwhiskywhentherearewineslikethis,Icannotunderstand.’

Helaughed.‘Itdoesmegoodattheendofaday.Olympia,trysomeoftheMadeira,Ibroughtsomebackwithme.’

Riahadherpresentopenatlast—therewasadollinsidethebox,aprettybabydoll,wrappedinashawl.‘Noclothes!’shrilledthechild,investigating.

‘Lookinthepackageunderneath,’advisedthedoctorpatiently.Therewereballsofknittingwool,lovelypalecoloursandknittingneedles

besides.‘Mamaknitsbeautifully,’hepointedout,‘nicewoollythings,justrightforababy,andIdaresayshewillteachyouhowtoknittoo.’

‘Tonwillmind,’objectedRia.‘No,shewon’t,shewillbeverygladtohaveababytoplaywith.Youhave

hadTonforthreeyears,she’sabiggirlnow,almostasbigasyou.’Olympiahadlistenedtothisconversationandunderstoodmostofit.Waldo

wasrepairingthefiascoofthedressshehadmadeforTon;evenifhedidn’tlove

her,hewassokind…ShesaidinherslowDutch:‘Now,thatisasplendididea,andthere’splentyofwooltomakeTona

jumper.We’llstarttomorrow,shallwe?’Shefinishedherdrink.‘Whataboutbed,poppet?’

Riawasborneupstairs,kissedgoodnightbythedoctorandlefttoOlympia’sgentlecare.Onlyasshewaspreparingtoleavetheroom,withNikofriskingalongbesideher,thenewdolltuckedupwithTonbesidethelittlegirl,andthebelljustnicelywithinreachincaseanythingwasneeded,andthenightlightonthechestofdrawers,didthechildask:‘MayTanteBetsycomeandseeme?’

OlympiabenttokissthesmallforeheadandtriednottonoticeRia’squickturnoftheheadtoavoidit—andonlyanhourorsoagoshehadthoughtthatthemoppetwasbeginningtolikeher…shesaidquietly:‘Ofcourse,darling,I’llaskher.’

AuntBetsygottoherfeetatonceandsurgedfromtheroom.‘AndIwillgotomybedroom—theoneIalwayshave,Iexpect?andtidymyself,’shetoldthem,andchuckledcosily.‘Thatwillgiveyoutenminutestoyourselves,won’tit?’

‘Thekitchen—Emma!’exclaimedOlympia,suddenlybreathlessattheideaofbeingleftalonewithWaldo,andmadeforthedoor.

‘Olympia.’Thedoctor’svoicewasplacid,butithaltedher.Sheasked:‘Yes,Waldo?’alittletoobrightly,onlyhalfturninground,theverypictureofahinderedandharassedhousewife,andhesaidonahalflaugh,‘I’msurethatEmmacancopewithwhateveremergencythereisinthekitchen.’Hegotupandstrolledovertoher.‘Whydidyoulooklikethat,deargirl?’

‘Likewhat?’‘Likesomeonewhoseheavenhadfallen.Whowereyouexpecting,

Olympia?’Shegavehimawildglance.‘Noone—Imean,Iwassurprised.Ididn’t

expectAuntBetsy.’Hisvoicewasbland.‘Ah,yes—ofcourse.Bytheway,I’vechangedthecar.’‘Changedthecar?TheLamborghini?’Sheforgotshewasanxioustoget

awayfromhim,sheeventookacoupleofstepsforward.‘Yes.NowthatIamamarriedman,itisn’tverysuitable,don’tyouagree?

Tearingaroundonmyownisn’tquitethesamethingasdrivingmywifeanddaughter.’

Shestaredathim,tryingtofitthegirlinLondonintothisnewhappening;perhapshehadgiventheLamborghinitoher—shewouldbeabletogodowntoDoverandmeethimandtheywouldtearoffanywheretheywantedtogo…Sheblinkedatthewildstrengthofherimagination,atherrageatthethoughtofhim

lovinganyoneelse,eventhoughhehadneverlovedher.Sheschooledhervoicetomildinquiry.‘Oh?Whatsortofcar?’

‘ARolls-Royce—aCornicheConvertible.Ihadsomeonelookingoutforoneforaweekortwoandhehadtheincrediblelucktofindamanwhohadjusttakendeliveryofoneandthenhadsecondthoughts.Comeoutsideandhavealook.’

Itwasawonderfulcar,agleaminggunmetalgrey,perfectionitself.Olympia,quiteovercome,peeredandpokedandthengotinsidetotryitssupercomfort,longingtoaskthewifelyquestionastowhetherhecouldaffordit.Shewasquitestartledwhenhesaid,‘Don’tworry,mydear,I’mrichenoughtoindulgemytastesand,Ihope,pleaseyou.’

‘Oh,youhave,’sheassuredhim.‘It’ssuper—IlikedtheLamborghini,butthisoneisjustrightforyou,somehow.’

Hesmiledalittle,leaningagainstthedoor.‘ShouldIbeflattered?’ForamomentshehadforgottenthegirlinLondonandElisabethandRianot

likingher.‘Yes,Ithinkyoushould,’shetoldhimshyly,andthen,afraidthatshemightsaymorethansheevermeanthimtoknow,shegotoutofthecarandaddedsedately:‘Riaisgoingtoloveit.’Sheturnedherbackonhimandaskedcarefully:‘What’shappenedtotheLamborghini?’

Heswungherroundtofacehim,hishandsonherwaist.Itwasquietandtherewasnooneabout;itseemedalongtimebeforeheansweredher.‘She’sgonetosomeonewhowillappreciateher,’hetoldher.‘Let’sgoinandrescueAuntBetsy.’

MrsvanderGraafwasadelightfulguest;shereappearedatexactlytherighttime,justbeforedinner,madelightconversationwhiletheydranktheirsherryandhadjusttherightamounttosayforherselfatthedinnertable.Sheatedelicatelybutwithpleasure,praisingtheratatouille,thesalmonsteakswithherbbutter,accompaniedbybroccoliandaFrenchdressingandtinynewpotatoes,andthesplendidapplepiewhichOlympiahadmadethatafternoon.Theywentbacktothesitting-roomfortheircoffeeandAuntBetsy,sittingerect,asalways,gaveitheropinionthatOlympiawasanexcellenthousewife.‘Adelightfulmeal,mydear,’shebeamed.‘Waldomustbeveryproudofyou.’Sheglancedacrossathernephew.‘Youmustgiveadinnerpartyandleteveryoneseewhatatreasureyouhavecaptured,dearboy.’

Hesmiledbackather.‘Indeedwemust,itwillgiveOlympiaanopportunitytoairherDutch,too.Sheismakinggreatprogress.’

Theytalkedlight-heartedlyuntilbedtime.Adelightfulevening,thoughtOlympia,onthewayupstairstobedwithAuntBetsy,andasshethoughtit,haditshatteredbytheringingofthetelephoneinWaldo’sstudy.Hewasstillinthe

hall.Olympia,lookingback,sawhisquickfrownashewenttoanswerit;sheheard,too,hisquick:‘Yes?I’mhome—waitaminute…’Hehadclosedthedoorthenandshe,withbarelyapause,wentonupthestairsbesideherguest,talkingrapidlyaboutnothingatallinanefforttoappeartotallyunawareofWaldo’swords.

Itwaswhiletheywerehavingtheircoffeethenextmorning,withRiahappilyengrossedinherdoll’shouseonthefloorbetweenthem,thatOlympiaremarkedtoherguest:‘IaskedElisabethtocomeinwhileyouwerehere,butshewasn’tsureifshecouldmanageit—Iexpectyouknowherverywell.’

AuntBetsystirredhercoffeeandaddedathoughtmoresugar.‘Verywellindeed,’shesaidinadryvoice.‘Shehasbeenagreathelptoyou,soWaldotellsme.’

‘Oh,yes.Idon’tknowwhatIshouldhavedonewithouther.SheexplainedhowWaldolikedthingsandtoldmewhenImademistakes—andImadedozens—stilldo.’

‘Iamsurethatyouwouldhavemanagedverywellevenwithoutherhelp,andyouhadWaldotogotoforadvice.’

Olympiahadnoideahowstrickenherfacelooked.‘He’sverybusy,’shepointedoutdefensively.‘Icouldn’tgorunningtohimeachtimeIwantedtoknowsomething.’Shehadhereyesonhercupanddidn’tseehercompanion’sbrightglance.‘Iwasterrifiedoflettinghimdown—it’squitetruewhatElisabethsays,youknow,I’mnotusedtothiskindoflife.’Shelookedupatlast.‘Youknow,AuntBetsy,Ireallydidn’tthinkthatWaldowasrich—reallyrich.I’vehadtogetusedtothat.’

‘Andifhelostallhismoneytomorrow,wouldyouhavetogetusedtothattoo?’

Olympialaughed.‘Yes,ofcourse,butitwouldn’tmatteratall.’AuntBetsyclickedhertongue.‘Apityyouweren’tabletocomewithhimto

London,butofcourseyouhadtostaywiththelittleone.Yougetonwellwithher?’

TherewasnopointinprevaricationwithAuntBetsy;shewouldkeepon,likeabulldozer,untilshegotwhatshewanted.

‘No.I’vetriedveryhardandonceortwiceIthoughtthatshewasbeginningtolikeme.She’salwaysverypoliteandhermannersarebeautiful,it’sasthoughshe’sbeentoldnottolikeme,butthat’sabsurd,ofcourse.ShelovesElisabeth—understandably.Ithink,’shewenton,mentallydamningtheconsequences,‘itwouldhavebeenfarbetterifWaldohadmarriedElisabeth.’

‘Ah,’saidAuntBetsyprofoundly.‘Farbetterforeveryone,mydear?’‘Everyone.’

‘Youare,ofcourse,mistaken,butitisnotformetoenlightenyou.WhydoyousupposeWaldomarriedyou?’

‘Hewantedsomeonetorunhishomeandlookafter—mother—Ria.HeknewthatIwasunhappywithAuntMariaandhethoughtitagoodideaif—ifwemarried,sothatIcoulddothesethingsforhimandgetawayfromAuntMaria.’SheshotadefiantlookatMrsvanderGraaf.‘Andpleasedon’ttellmeanythingdifferent.’

‘WhyshouldIwhenwhatyoutellmeisquitetrue,mydear?’queriedherguest,dashingdownanyhalf-formedhopesOlympiawascherishing.Shewentoninachattyway:‘OfcourseWaldohasknownElisabethforagreatmanyyears,beforehemarriedyou.HedependeduponherwhenitcametohouseholdmattersandlookingafterRia.Sheisanoldandtrustedfriend,butnomorethanthat.’

‘ShemusthavebeenagreathelpafterEstelledied.’‘Indeedshewas,quiteindispensable.’Olympiathoughtthatshedetecteddrynessinhercompanion’svoiceonce

more.‘Elisabethisamarvellousfriend,’shedeclaredwarmly,‘andsogentleandself-effacing.Shecouldhavehatedme,youknow,andmadelifequiteunbearable.’

AuntBetsyagreedtothisinanon-committalmannerandasked:‘Anddoyougooutmuch?Waldohassomanyfriends—andhaveyouvisitedAmsterdamandTheHague?Arnhemisadelightfulplace,too,andnotsoveryfaraway.’

Olympiapouredmorecoffee,gaveRiaanotherbiscuitandtooktimetoanswer.‘Well,Waldoisverybusy;heworksmostevenings.WewenttodinneratWim’shouseandImetPaulandtheirwives.AndweallwenttoZierikzee—WaldohasafriendlivingtherewithanEnglishwife,she’sverynice.Theyhavealovelyoldhouse…’Shebecameawarethatshewasbabblingandstopped.ThereweresurelyotheroccasionsshecouldtellAuntBetsyof,butthatladygavehernotimetothink:‘AndWaldohasnottakenyououtexceptingontheseoccasions?’

‘I’vebeenquitehappy—Ilikejustbeinghere,andI’veheapstodo.’‘Whatdoyoudo,Olympia?’askedAuntBetsyinextricably.Olympiahadn’texpectedthiscross-examination;shesaidfeverishly:‘Oh,I

talktoEmmaaboutthemealsanddotheflowers,andofcourseIhaveaDutchlessoneverymorning,andIgototheshops,andofcoursethere’sRia.’

Hercompanionmadeanimpatientsound.‘Youareinfactbeingagoodhousewife.’

Olympiaraisedtroubledeyestotheolderlady.‘I’vetried,butI’mnotsurethatI’vebeensuccessful.’ShechokedbackawishtotellAuntBetsyeverything

—Waldo’simpenetrable,reservedfriendliness,andallthemistakesshehadmade,andthetimeandmoneyshehadspentonherhairandherclothesandthecarewithwhichshedressedeachdayinthehopethathewouldnotice,andlastbutnotleast,herawfulsuspicionaboutthegirlinLondon.Insteadshesaidinabrightvoice:‘IreallyshouldtakeNikooutforhiswalk.WouldyoumindverymuchifIleftyouwithRiaforalittlewhile?’

AuntBetsydidn’tmindintheleast;goingoutofthehouseafewminuteslater,Olympiacouldhearherinlivelyconversationwithhersmallgreat-niece.Theysoundedveryhappytogether.SheattachedNikotohisleadandfollowedhischubby,gavottinglittlefigureoutofthefrontdooranddidabriskcircuitoftheAbbey,enteringitslargecourtyardbythefurthergateway,andsohome,hermindbusywithanideawhichhadjustenteredit.Riawouldn’tbeabletogotonurseryschoolforaweekortwo,sowoulditnotbeasplendidideaifsomeone—MijnheerBlom,perhaps—shouldgiveherafewlessonseachmorning?Shewouldsoongetrestlessoncethenoveltyofthenewdollhadwornoffandthedoll’shousepalledandthebrighterdayswerecoming;shewouldwanttogooutplayingwithhersmallfriendsorgoingforlongwalkswithherandNiko,andshewasn’tquitestrongenoughyet.MijnheerBlomcouldgivehersomelessonstodoandperhapsshecouldsitinthesameroomwhilesheherselfhadherDutchlesson,anditmightbeasoundfootinguponwhichtobuildanewrelationshipbetweenthem.ShewouldaskWaldo.

Therewasnochancetospeaktohimaloneduringlunch,andhewascalledawaydirectlyafterit,butthatevening,afterRiawasinbedandthetwoladiesweregossipingovertheoutfittheywereknittingforthenewdoll,therewasopportunityenough,forWaldo,insteadofgoingtohisstudyasheusuallydid,remainedwiththem,readinghispaperandjoiningintheirconversationfromtimetotime,butbeforeOlympiasawachancetomentionherplan,AuntBetsydeclaredherintentionofgoingtobedandshewasbarelyoutofthedoorbeforeWaldodeclaredthathehadworktodo.Justasthough,thoughtOlympiasadly,hecouldn’tbeartobealonewithher,andyetbeforetheymarriedtheyhadspentalotoftimetogetherandhehadappearedtohaveenjoyedhercompany,butofcourse,ifhehadmetsomeoneelse…Shetriednottothinkaboutthatasshesaidinacoolvoice:

‘Ifyoucouldspareamoment,Waldo,thereissomethingIwouldliketotalktoyouabout.’

Shehadhereyesonherknitting,anddidn’tseethesuddensharplookhegaveher,althoughhisvoicewascalmenough.‘Ofcourse,whatisit?’

‘Well,IwonderedifitwouldbeagoodideaifRiaweretohavejustafewlessonseachday—perhapsMijnheerBlomwouldteachherforhalfanhourand

thengivehersomeworktodowhilehegivesmemyDutchlessons.Yousee,onceshehasgotovertheexcitementofcominghomeandthenewdollshe’sgoingtobebored;she’sfullofenergy,andnochildofthatagewouldsitstillalldayunlessshe’sgivenajollygoodreason—shelovesschool,doesn’tshe,andthiswouldbethenextbestthing,justforaweekortwo.’

Hesaidthoughtfully:‘Thatmightbeagoodidea,Olympia.I’llspeaktoBlom.’Headded:‘That’scleverofyou,deargirl.’

Shewasquicktotakehismeaning.‘Youagreethatitmighthelpustobefriends—havinglessonstogether?Ithoughtthattoo,andit’ssomethingIwantaboveeverythingelse—I’ddoanything.’

Hewasleaningagainstthedoor,hishandsinhispockets.‘Yes,Iknowthat.Anothermatter—IwonderedifwemightinviteWimandPaulandthegirlsoverfordinneroneeveningwhileAuntBetsyishere?Elisabethtoo.’Hesmiledslowly.‘ItwillgiveyouachancetoshowoffyourcookingaswellasyourDutch.’

SheagreedpleasantlyandwonderedifhewouldhavethoughtofitifAuntBetsyhadn’tsuggesteditfirst.‘Whichday?’

‘Sundayevening?Thatwouldbethesimplestforme;I’moncallandit’seasiertobehome.Willyouseeaboutinvitingeveryone?’

Shesaidthatyes,shewouldandwentontowishhimgoodnight.‘Youhaven’tforgottenthatI’mgoingtoUtrechtinthemorning?IfI’mback

intime,howaboutaruninthecarduringtheafternoon?AuntBetsymightlikethat.’

Olympiastartedtopackupherknitting,turnedoutthelamponthetablebesideher,andgottoherfeet.‘Iimagineshewillbedelighted.YoumighttakeRiawithyou.’

Hiseyebrowsrose.‘Butofcourseyouwillcomewithustoo.’Shesweptpasthim,hercolourbecominglyhigh.‘No,Iwillnot!’she

snapped.‘Justbecausewehaveagueststayingandyoufeellikeentertainingher,placesyouundernoobligationtodothesameforme.’Shehurriedacrossthehallandactuallyhadafootonthebottomstairwhenshewascaught,turnedroundandheldfirmly.

‘Now,now,’saidthedoctorathismostplacid,andthen:‘Youknow,youshouldloseyourtempermoreoften,it’shighlybecoming.’Hekissedherlightly.‘Nowgotobedanddon’tbeasillygirl.’

Hespokewithablandgoodnaturewhichhurtalmostasmuchashisimpersonalkisshaddone.Itwasjustaswell,shethoughtlater,thathecouldn’tseehernow,cryingwithhelplessrageasshegotreadyforbed.

Shewentdowntobreakfastearly,piledthedoctor’sposttidily,satthe

dressing-gownedRiainherchair,thentookherownplaceatthetableandbegantowriteoutamenuforthecomingdinnerparty,butshedidn’tgetfarwithit,indeedshewasn’tgivingitherwholeattention;shewaslisteningforWaldo’sstepsinthehallashecamebackfromhiswalkwithNiko.

Hewishedheracheerfulgoodmorning,good-naturedlyallowedhimselftobehalfsmotheredbyRia’sembrace,andsatdowntohisbreakfast.AuntBetsy,declaringthatshehadreachedtheagewhenshemightindulgeherselfinsmallwhims,tookhersinbed,sothatthemealwasdispatchedwithaminimumoftalk,thedoctormutteringfromtimetotimeoverhislettersandRiapipingupwithsomechildishobservation.Olympiapouredherhusband’scoffee,setthetoastrackreadytohishand,butteredbreadandaddedawaferofcheeseforRia,andcrumbledtoastonherownplateasshedrankhercoffee.ShelookeduppresentlytofindWaldolookingatheroverasheafofpapers.

‘You’renoteating,’heobservedpleasantly.‘Doyoufeelallright?’‘Yes,thankyou.’‘Thenhavesometoast,deargirl,wedon’twantyoutoloseanyofthose

veryattractivepounds.’Hepassedherthetoastandsheobedientlytooksomeashewenton:‘I’lllunchinhospitalandbebackabouttwoo’clock.’Hegotup,preparingtogo.‘WewillgotoVeere—it’sadelightfulplaceandonlyafewkilometresaway.WecanhaveteathereanddrivebackthroughDomburg.I’mafraidImustbebackforeveningsurgery,though.’

‘Ithink,’saidOlympia,addressinghisshirtfront,‘thatImaynothavethetimetocomewithyou…thedinnerparty,youknow.’

‘Inthatcasewe’llcancelthedinnerparty.’Hisvoicewasbland,andwhenshepeepedathimitwastofindhimsmilingathersothatherheartlurchedaroundherchestlikeathinggonedemented.

‘I’llcome,’shetoldhim.Hecameroundthetable,droppedakissonRia’sdarkheadbeforeshefelt

hishandonhershoulder.‘Spokenlikeatruefriend,myOlympia.’Thehandwasgone,tooquickly.Withabriefgood-byehewasgone.

Theyhadadelightfulafternoon.Veere,inthespringsunshine,lookinglikeamellowwatercolourpaintingfromtheGoldenAge.Theyparkedthecarandstrolledroundthetinyplace,thenclimbedthestonestaircaseintheCampveerseTorenHotel,tositatatableinthewindowanddrinktheirtea.Thewindowoverlookedtheharbourandthecobbledstreetbesideit,linedwithbeautifuloldhouses.Waldopointedtooneofthem.‘Afriendofminelivesthere—adoctor,’heobserved.‘MariusvanBeek—haven’tseenhimforyears.HemarriedanEnglishgirl,acharminglittlethingcalledTabitha.PaultoldmethattheywereinEnglandforafewweeks,otherwisewecouldhavecalledtoseethem.I’llbring

youoveragainwhenthey’reback.’‘WhatisTabithalike?’askedOlympia.‘Small,quiet,oneofthosefaceswhichisn’tprettyuntilyougettoknowit

well.She’sjusthadanotherbaby,thatmakesaboyandagirl.’‘ThatmakestwoEnglishgirlslivingquitenear.’‘Thereareothers,too,Ibelieve—Ihearofthemfromtimetotime,butuntil

nowI’veneverbothered,butI’llfindoutmoreaboutthemifyoulike.’‘Asplendididea,’pronouncedAuntBetsyinhercosyvoice.‘Besidesthe

pleasureitwillgiveOlympia,itwillbesplendidforRia;shewillmakenewfriends.Itdoesn’tdoforachildtogrowuplonely.’

Shelookedattheminturn,herblueeyeslimpid,andthesilenceshoutedatthemuntilthedoctorsaidsmoothly:‘You’reprobablyright,Aunt.Andnowifwehavefinished,howabouttakingaquicklookatDomburg?’

Therestofthedaywasagreeableenough;thedoctor,hislittlepartysafehomeagain,wentawaytohissurgery.Riawasbathed,givenhersupperandwhiskedawaytobed,leavingthetwoladiestoretiretotheirroomstotidythemselvesfordinnerandthenmeetdownstairs,wheretheysatknittingliketwoFuriesandtalkedgentlenothingsuntilWaldocamehomeagain.Andafterdinner,sincehedeclaredthathehadnoworktodo,hekeptthemcompanyoverthecoffeecupsandpresentlysuggestedagameofScrabble,playedinDutch,ofcourse,sothatOlympia’sknowledgeofthatlanguagemightbefurtherimproved.

Sheworriedagooddealoverthedinnertheyweretogive;true,sheknewtheguestswellenoughtomakelightofanythingwhichmightgowrong,butlikeanyyoungwife,shewasanxiousnottoletherhusbanddown.ShespentagooddealoftimeclosetedwithEmma,worriedastowhatsheshouldwearandbookedanextraappointmentwithherhairdresser.AuntBetsywasleavingthemonthedayfollowingthedinnerparty;shehadfriendscomingtostaywithher,shesaid,andaddedinhercosywaythatyoungmarriedpeopleshouldbelefttothemselvesandsheforonehadnointentionofplayinggooseberryformorethanafewdays.‘NotthatIhaveneededto,’shefinishedrathertartly,sothatOlympiablushedandWaldolookedfirstsurprisedandthenamused.

TheyallwenttochurchonSundaymorning,acustomwhichOlympiawasbeginningtoenjoy,partlybecauseshesatnexttoWaldoduringthelengthysermon,andpartlybecausethehymnsweresungsoslowlythatshehadasplendidopportunitytopractiseherDutch,singingthem.AuntBetsy,regalingreywoolandmink,marchedalongwithRiaholdingherhand,leavingOlympiaandWaldotowalktogether.ItwasachancetotellhimhowsuccessfulRia’slessonswereproving.‘MijnheerBlomissuchaniceman,’shesaidwarmly,‘and

Rialikeshim—besides,itmakesherfeelveryimportant,drawingherlettersandcountingbeadswhileIsitclosebyhavinglessonstoo.’

Thedoctoragreedratherabsently.‘That’saprettyhat,’wasallhesaid,andbeforeshecouldshowsurpriseatthisremark:‘Wedon’tseemtoseemuchofElisabethjustlately.’Hisvoiceheldafaintquery.

‘Shesaidshehadalottodo—shedidn’tsaywhat,she’scomingthisevening,though.Doyouwanttoseeherspecially?’

Sheheardhischuckle.‘No—nomorethanonealwayslikestoseeoldfriends.Andifyoumeantarewegoingtoretireintoacornerwithabundleoflegalpapers,no,wearen’t.’

Shefeltawkward,becausethatwasjustwhatshehadbeenthinking.Whichmadeherdenyitallthemorehotly.‘Shedependsonyouquitealot,Iexpect,foradviceandsoon.’

‘Anddoyoudependonme,Olympia?’Thechurchbellspealedout,almostdrowninghervoice.Itwasnecessaryto

betruthfulandshestoppedsothatshemightlookathim.‘Itrynotto,’shetoldhimseriously.‘Itwouldn’tdo,wouldit?’

‘Whynot?’Hisvoicewasveryquiet.‘Well…’Shepaused;thebellhadstopped—theywouldbelate.‘Youknow

whyaswellasIdo.’Shestartedtowalkon.‘Weshallbelate.’Hedidn’tanswer,butpresently,sittingsqueezedrathertightlybesidehim

becauseAuntBetsywassharingtheirpewaswellasRia,shewasuncomfortablyawarethathelookedatherfromtimetotime,longthoughtfulstaresandquiteunsmiling.Theimpulsetoslipherhandintohiswassosharpthatsheclenchedherglovedhandstogetheronherlap,sothattheyshouldn’tescape.

Theywalkedbackastheyhadgone,withAuntBetsysailingmajesticallyaheadwithRia,deepinconversation.ButOlympiaandWaldoweresilent;theyhadwalkedhalf-wayacrosstheAbbeycourtyardbeforeWaldoslowedhispace.‘Olympia,’hebeganintheblandvoicewhichsherecognizedasinflexible,‘youdidn’tanswermyquestion.’

Butshedidn’thaveto;Joannacamehurryingtomeetthem,spokeurgentlytothedoctorandhurriedawayagain.‘MevrouwRos,’saidWaldo,‘haschosenthismomenttogointolabour—I’mafraidthatImustleaveyou,deargirl.LetuscatchupwithAuntBetsyandthenIwillgoonahead—anddonotwaitlunchforme;MevrouwRos,asIshouldknowafteraidingheronfourhappyoccasions,isnottobehurried.’

Hestrodeoff,leavingthethreeofthemtomakeamoreleisurelyprogresswhileOlympia,limpwithreliefatnothavingtoanswerhisquestions,wonderedwhatshewouldhavetoldhimifJoannahadnotarrivedatsuchanopportune

moment.Hedidn’tcomehomeuntiltheywerehavingtea,andaftershehadmade

surethathehadallheneededforhiscomfort,sheexcusedherselfandrepairedtothekitchentomakesurethateverythingwasgoingjustasitshould.Shehadchosenthemealwithcare;apâtémadetoEmma’sownrecipeforstarters,turbotforthemaincourse,boileddelicately,decoratedwithlobstercoralandcucumber,andservedwitharichandcreamylobstersauce,newpotatoesandagreensaladontheside,withasprinklingofredpepperstomakeasplashofcolour,andforaftersshehadfallenbackonapplepieoncemorebecauseeveryoneseemedtolikeit.Shehadmadeitofamplesizewithamouth-wateringcrust,andtherewascream,servedintheWilliamandMarysilvercreamjugs,whichtogetherwiththerestofthetablesilver,usedasamatterofcoursebythedoctor,wereanever-endingsourceofdelightandpridetoher.

Shehaddecidedonanamber-colouredjerseydressinasimplestylewhichsetoffherslendershapetogreatadvantageandmadeasplendidbackgroundforthecoralbrooch,andwhenshewasdressedaglimpseinthemirrorassuredherthathereffortshadbeenworthwhile.Shewasn’tavaingirl,butshewouldhavebeenblindnottoseethedifferenceinherappearancesinceshehadmarriedWaldo.Shenoddedherheadwithpleasedsatisfaction,sprayedherselfdiscreetlywithMadameRochasandwentalongtoseeifRiawasasleepbeforeshewentdownstairstowaitforherguests.

Therewasstillhalfanhourbeforetheycouldbeexpectedtoarrive;sheinspectedthetablealittleanxiously,founditperfect,andwentintothesitting-room.Therewasnoonethere,butthebrightfireinitswidehearthandthesoftglowofthelampswelcomedherintheearlydusk.Shewanderedroundrestlessly,pickingthingsupandputtingthemdownagainuntilWaldo’sstepinthehallsentherflyingtositinachair,readytogreethimwithcoolcomposuredespiteherracingpulse.Hecameinunhurriedly,veryelegantinhisdarkgreysuit,andstoodlookingdownather.‘That’scharming,’heremarked.‘Ilikethecolour.’Hislookbecamethoughtful.‘Staywhereyouare,’hebeggedher.‘Ishan’tbeamoment.’

Shehadnotimetowonderwhathewasabout;hewasbackwithinamomentorso,alongleathercaseinhishandwhichhegavetoher.

‘Ishouldlikeyoutohavethese,’hetoldher.‘Theyweremymother’s—indeed,allthevanderGraafwiveshavewornthemformanygenerations.Theyshouldgowellwiththatdress.’

Sheopenedtheboxunderhiseye.Therewasacoralnecklaceinside—athree-strandedropeofvividpink,fastenedbyaroundclaspofcoralandpearlssetinanintricategoldfiligree.Therewasabracelettoo,asolidgoldbandset

withcabuchoncoralswithpearlsbetween.Olympiatouchedthemlightlywithherfingertipsandasked:‘Forme?You

meanthatyouaregivingthemtome?’Hewasleaningoverthebackofhischair,staringather.‘Yes—areyounota

vanderGraafwife?’‘Yes,butyouhavegivenmesomuch.’Heansweredherinastonishment.‘I?ButIhavegivenyounothing.’Shebeganpainstakinglytolisthisgifts.‘Myengagementringandthe

brooch,’shetoucheditwithahandasshespoke,‘andthatDiorscarfIlikedandallmyclothesandthatfunnychinaangelandmysuedehandbag,and…’

Heheldupalargehandinmockhorror.‘Stop,Ibegofyou!Ihadforgottenthehalfofthem—suchtrifles.ComehereandIwillfastenthenecklaceforyou.

‘Andnowthebracelet,’headvised,andturnedherroundtofacehim.‘Thenecklaceischarming,butthebraceletisperhapsalittleheavyforyourwrist—youaresosmall,Imustfindsomethingdaintier.’

‘Oh,no,’shedeclared,‘Ilikethisverymuch,I’veneverhadanyjewellery…’Shestopped;itwasunfairtoarousehispityandshewoulddespiseherselfforit,too.‘Thankyouverymuch,Waldo.’

Hedidn’tletgoofherwristbuttookherotherhandinhistooandshewaited,herheartpoundingfittocrackhereardrums.

‘Olympia…’HestoppedasthedooropenedandAuntBetsycamein.Theotherscamethen,withElisabethlast,apologizingforbeingafew

minuteslate.ShecrossedtheroomtomeetOlympiahalf-wayandkissedherandthensaidinherclear,softvoice:‘Howveryniceyoulook,Olympia,andyouarewearingthevanderGraafcorals—IthoughtthatWaldowasnevergoingtogivethemtoyou,althoughyoudeservethemaboveanyone.Itmusthavebeensodifficultforyou,learningourwayoflife,andthisbighouseandhavingservants—andthenRia,suchanaughtylittlegirlnottolikeyou.’

Shestoppedsuddenly,herhandoverhermouth.‘Oh,dear—Ishouldn’thavesaidthat,andeveryonelistening.’Shelookedroundtheroomwithacontriteface.‘Pleaseforgiveme.’

TherewasanastylittlesilencebeforeOlympia,withaslightlyheightenedcolour,saidreassuringly:‘There’snoneedtobesorry,Elisabeth.EveryonehereknowsI’m—I’mnewtothejobandIcouldneverhavemanagedifyouhadn’thelpedme,andyoustilldohelpme.I’mgladyoulikethecorals,theydogoverywellwiththisdress,don’tthey?’

ShewasawarethatWaldohadcometostandbesideher;shefelthishand,verylight,onherwaist.Hesaidgood-naturedly:‘IthinkOlympiadeservesdiamondsattheveryleast.Imuststartsavingup.’

TherewasagenerallaughatthislittlejokeandElisabethwasgivenadrinkandsweptintothelightchatterwhichherill-timedobservationshadinterrupted.ButforOlympia,chatteringawaygailytoherguests,theeveninghadbeenspoilt;shefeltsorryforElisabethandeachtimesheglancedathershefeltsorrier;shelookedasthoughshewasreadytoburstintotearsatanymoment,althoughitwasplainthatshewasmakingagreatefforttobehavenormally,andafterdinner,sheslippedintoachairclosetoWaldo,watchinghisface;asthoughsheweretryingtodrawreassurancefromhisveryplacidity.

Butifanyoneelsenoticedanythingamiss,theygavenosign,thedinnerhadbeeneaten,praisedgenerouslyandOlympia,becominglypink-cheeked,hadusheredherguestsbackintothesitting-roomwhereovercoffeetheconversation,thankstoWaldo’sskilfulguidance,becamelightheartedandamusingandremainedsountileveryonegotuptogo;allbutElisabeth;shestayedwhereshewaswhileOlympiaandWaldosawtheirguestsaway,wished,inturn,AuntBetsyagoodnight,andreturnedtothesitting-room.

Elisabethalmostrantomeetthem.Sheflungherselfintothedoctor’sarmsandnowshemadenoattempttostophertears.‘Oh,Waldo,’shesobbed,‘Ihavebeensothoughtless,allthosethingsIsaid—Iwasnotthinking,youunderstand?Theywereprivatethingswhichonlyweknowabout—IshamedpoorOlympiaandIamsoupset.Yourauntlookedasthoughshewishedtokillme,andtheothersstaredso.’

HepattedhershouldersandsaidsomethinginDutchwhichOlympia,standingforgotten,couldn’tcatch,butsheheardhimwellenoughwhenhesaid:‘I’lltakeElisabethhome,sheisupset—andshewasalwaysasensitivegirl.’

AndI,thoughtOlympiasilentlyandinsuddenrage,aminsensitiveandnotintheleastupset,Isuppose.Elisabethhadbeenunwittinglyunkindatherexpense,butshedidn’tholditagainsther;eventhebestoffriendscoulddropaclangerattimes,butsomeone—Waldo,forinstance—mighttakethetroubletofindoutifshefeltupsettoo;afterall,shehadbeenmadetolookprettyinadequate,tosaytheleast.HerlistenersmusthavegotthegeneralimpressionthatbeforehermarriagetoWaldoshehadbeenlivingonaveryinferiorsocialplane—andso,inallfairness,shehad,butthatwashardlythepoint.Sheanswerednowwithforcedcheerfulness,‘Yes,do,’kissedElisabethgoodnightandshutthefrontdoorafterthem.Butoncetheyhadgoneherupliftedmooddisintegratedintoasnappishnesswhichsentherofftobed;letWaldofindthehousesilentandnooneaboutwhenhegotback.Uponimpulseshetookoffthenecklaceandthebracelet,laidthemintheircaseandtookitalongtohisroomandlaiditonthetallboy,thenflouncedbacktoherownroom;lethimhavethethingsbackagain,forobviouslyshewasn’tquitesuitabletowearthem,shetold

herself,flingingoffherclothesinaveryhaphazardway,kickingherexpensiveshoesoverthecarpetanddraggingonherdressinggown.Shehadbeenmadetofeellikeakitchenmaidinfrontofherguests,shedecided,hertemperrising.Shepickedupherhairbrushandbegantodragitthroughherhair,thenstoppedthisself-torturebecausesomeonewastappingonthedoor.

Waldo—withthecaseinhishandandlookingmostsatisfyinglyannoyed.‘Igaveyouthese,Olympia,’hetoldherinaquietvoice,‘they’reyoursnow.’

‘AndI’vegiventhemback.’Hervoicewasalittleloud;italsoheldadecidedwobblebecausehereallydidlookratherangry.‘IrefusetoacceptsomethingwhichIquiteobviouslyamnotworthyof.’

‘OfwhichIamnotworthy,’hemurmured.‘You’regettingyourgrammarmuddled.’

Sheshothimaninfuriatedglance.‘Grammarhasnothingtodowithit,’shesnapped.‘I’mneitherentitlednordeservingofthefamilycorals.’

Heputthecasedownonthebedsidetableandleanedagainstthedoor,hishandsinhispockets,lookingasthoughhewereratherenjoyinghimself.‘Rubbish,youdeservethemallright,andasmywifeyouareentitledtothem.’

‘Neitherreasonmakesthemacceptabletome,’shedeclared,‘andtherewasathirdreason,wasn’tthere?Theywentwellwithmydress—well,I’vedecidedIdon’tlikeitanymore,sonowIwon’tneedthecoralstogowithit.’

Hecrossedtheroomsoquicklythatshejumpedtoherfeetandretreatedbehindthestoolshehadbeensittingon.Ofnouse,ofcourse;hepluckeditoutofhiswayasthoughithadbeenafeatherandgrippedhershoulders.‘Vixen,’hesaidpleasantly,‘yousurelyhaven’tletpoorElisabeth’sill-chosenwordsupsetyou?’

‘Sinceyouask—alittlelateintheday—yes,Ihaveallowedthemtoupsetme.ToberemindedatmyfirstdinnerpartythatI’mnotquite—quite,’shepausedforaword,‘uppercrust,isupsetting,nordidIliketobetoldinfrontofyourfriendsthatIhadfailedwithRia.Idaresay,’shewentonbitterly,‘thechildrealizesthatIcomefromadifferentbackground—childrenaresharplittlethings,youknow.Butdon’t,’shewenton,hervoiceregrettablyshrill,‘allowmyfeelingstodisturbyou—notthatIsupposethattobelikely.Andnowyouwillbekindenoughtogoaway.’

Tohersurpriseandsecretdismay,hewent.

CHAPTEREIGHT

OLYMPIAWENTDOWNTOBREAKFASTthenextmorningalittleuncertainlywithRiadancingalongbesideher.WaldowasstilloutwithNiko,soshehadtimetoseethepostasusual.TherewasoneenvelopewithaLondonpostmark,thehandwritinglargeandflowingandfeminine.Sheitchedtoopenitasshelaiditontopofthepile,butwhateverherownfeelingsthatmorning,Waldo,whenhejoinedthem,certainlydidn’tseemtosharethem;hewishedhergoodmorninginaperfectlynormalvoice,kissedRia,tickledhertomakehergiggle,besoughtNikotobehavehimselfandsatdowntohisbreakfast.Olympia,pouringcoffee,watchedhisquickfrownashesawtheletter,buthedidn’topenitatonce,andwhenhedidhereaditwithnochangeofexpression,andpresentlyheputitbackintheenvelopeandgavehisattentiontohismealwiththeinquiryastowhattimeAuntBetsyhaddecidedtoleavethem,foralltheworldasthoughtheywerethebestoffriends,thoughtOlympiapeevishly.

AuntBetsy,shetoldhimcoldly,haddecidedtogobackbyplane,andhopedthathewouldgetheraseatbeforeheleftforthesurgery.

‘I’llseewhatIcando—itshouldn’tbetoodifficultatthistimeofyear.Hassheanypreferenceastotime?’Hehadrisenandreachedforthetelephoneextension.‘IfshegoesonanafternoonflightIcouldrunherovertoSchiphol.’

‘Shesaidshedidn’tmindbutshehopedyouwouldbeabletodriveherthere.’

Hesmiledasheputthroughacall.‘We’llallgo,shallwe?’Hedidn’tlookatherorwaitforananswerbuttalkedforafewminutesonthetelephonebeforereplacingthereceiver.‘Three-fifteen—couldn’tbebetter.Willyouletherknow?’

ShenoddedandgotuptowipeRia’sface.Shekeptherbacktohimwhileshediditandwasgladofitwhenheobservedcasually:‘I’vebeenthinking,Olympia—itmightbeagoodideaifyouweretotakedrivinglessonsandhaveyourowncar,thatwillmakeyouindependentofmeinthefuture.’

Pavingthewayforsolitaryyearsahead?shewondered.Evenifhedidn’twantherashiswife,hewouldtakecareofher,sheknewthat.ItwouldhavebeenwonderfulifshecouldhavebeenacombinationofElisabethandtheunknowngirlinLondon,instantlylovedbyRiaandwithWaldoatherfeet.She

stifledagiggle,fortheideaofWaldoatanyone’sfeetwasalittletoomuch,evenforherimagination,andmadehastetomurmurasuitableanswertohisremark.

ThemorningpassedrapidlywithAuntBetsydemandingeveryone’sattentioninherpleasant,commandingway,andRia,excitedattheprospectofanouting,gettingterriblyintheway.TheylunchedwithoutWaldoandbysomemiracletheywerereadyforhimwhenhearrivedshortlyafterthemeal.

TheyweretogointheRolls;OlympiagotintothebackbesideAuntBetsywhileRia,verycock-a-hoop,wasperchedbesidethedoctor.Thechildwasquitewellnow,andlongingtogobacktoschool,awishwhichhadthatverymorningbeenvetoedwithconsequenttears,butnowallthatwasforgotten;shesatbesideWaldo,entertaininghimwithherchildishchatter,whilethetwoladiescarriedonaconversationwhich,onOlympia’spartatleast,wasatrifleforced.

AuntBetsytookabitofgettingoff—sherefusedtobehurriedforastart;herluggage,andtherewasagreatdealofit,hadtobechecked,dealtwithandconsignedtoofficialcare;sherequiredinformationonallandeveryaspectofherjourneyandexpectedtobeaccordedthecaregiventoaVIP.ToallthesevagariesWaldorespondedwithgood-humouredpatience,whileRiaandOlympiakeptoutofthewayanddidastheyweretold.Notthattheymindedthat;neitherofthemhadbeentoSchipholbefore,itwasatreatwhichtheywerebothenjoying,andforthetimebeingatleasttheywerefriends.Butthiswasshortlived,alas,foronceAuntBetsywassafelyairborneandthethreeofthemwerebackinthecar,speedingbacktoMiddelburg,Ria’smoodchanged.ShewantedtogotoElisabeth’shousefortea,sheinformedherpapa,andwhenthiswasquietlyrefused,threwafitoftantrumswhichthedoctorcalmlyignoredandOlympiaseemedpowerlesstostop.Itwasarelieftogethomeandhurrythecrosslittlegirlindoors,whilethedoctor,withamurmuredwordofapology,drovehimselftothesurgery.Bythetimehegotbackagain,Riahadexhaustedherself,butnotbeforedeclaringthatshedidn’tlikeOlympiaatall,thatshewishedshehadnevercometolivewiththem,andthatnothingwouldbenicerthanthatsheshouldgoawayagain.Olympia,quitepuzzledatthechild’soutburst,preservedacalmfront,butbythetimeRiawasinbedshewasquiteexhausted,andWaldo’scoolassumptionthatshehadhadnodifficultyincalmingthechilddownhardlyaddedtohergoodhumour.Theyatetheirdinnertogetherinaslightlyrestrainedatmosphere,andwhenWaldo,revertingtohisoldhabitagainnowthattheirguesthadgone,wenttohisstudy,shefeltnothingbutrelief.Shewenttobedearlyandfellatonceintoanexhaustedsleepwhichlasteduntiltheearlyhoursofthemorning,whichgaveherplentyoftimetolieawakethinkingaboutthefuture.

Riawasunnaturallyquietduringbreakfast;shehadapologizedtoOlympia

atthedoctor’scalminstruction,butOlympiahadseenthesullensetofthesmallmouthandthenarrowedeyes;shewasstillverymuchdisliked,despitetheapology,butsheaccepteditcheerfully,andthemorning,takenupwithMijnheerBlom,passedmuchasusual.ItwasafterhehadgonethatRiabegantocryagainandnocajolingonOlympia’spartcoulddiscoverthecause.ItwasareliefwhenWaldocamehomeforlunch,forRiacheeredupatthesightofhim,regaledhimwithanaccountofherlessons,askedagreatmanyquestionsaboutAuntBetsy’sjourneyandevincedsomuchinterestinhisrepliesthatthemealpassedoffagreatdealmorehappilythanOlympiahaddaredtohope.

Itwasafterlunch,whenRiawasinthekitchentoattendtoNiko’smealunderEmma’seye,thatthedoctorasked,‘Whatisthematter,Olympia?HereisRiafulloffalsegaietyandyouwrappedingloom.Troublebetweenyouagain?’

‘Yes,Waldo.I’vetriedhardtobefriends,butshedoesn’tlikeme,andyoucan’tblameherforthat—whyshouldshe,afterall?She’sadearlittlegirlandveryloving—it’sIwhoamatfault,thoughIdon’tknowwhy.Isupposeshedoesn’trememberhermother?Imeanphotosofherandpeopletalkingabouther,sothatsheseemsrealtoherstill?’

‘Ithinknot.Estellediedsoonaftershewasborn;shecanhavenopossiblerecollectionofher.’

‘No.Perhapssheremembersyoufeelingsad,though.’Hiseyebrowslifted.‘Mydeargirl,Ididn’tfeelsad,notinthewayIimagine

youtomean.Ididn’tloveEstelle.’‘Notlove…butyouloveRia?’shestutteredalittleinsurprise.‘Verymuch,butRiaisnotmydaughter.’Hereyeswidenedandhermouthdroppedopen.‘Notyourdaughter?’she

reiteratedstupidly.‘Idon’tunderstand.’‘Probablynot;youdidn’tknowaboutit—howshouldyou?Itissomething

whichnooneknows.’Hisvoicewascool.‘Sheisthedaughterofmyyoungbrotherandmywife.Willemwaskilledaweekorsobeforetheyweretohavebeenmarried.’Hisvoicehadbecomeverycalm,butshecouldseethathishandswereclenchedsothattheknucklesshonewhiteandhisfacewasbleak.Shesawsomethingelsetoo—outofthecornerofhereye.Thedoorhadmoved—hadopenedafractionwhichwidenedveryslowlyasshewatched.Someonewasoutside,listening.PleaseGod,notRia,sheprayedsilentlyandcriedurgently:‘Don’tsayanymore,Waldo,notnow,’andwatchedthedoorimperceptiblycloseagain.

Thedoctorspokeheavily.‘You’requiteright,thereisnoreasonforyoutobetold,isthere?It’ssomethingIhavedonemybesttoforget,forRia’ssake.’

‘IsthatwhyyoumarriedEstelle?’

Hehadturnedawaytolookoutofthewindow.‘Yes,andifbythatyoumeandidImarryherbecauseIwasinlovewithher,no,Ididnot.Wehadverylittlelikingforeachother,butmybrother’schildhadtohaveourname,itwastheleastIcoulddo.’

Hecamebackfromthewindowandpickeduphiscaseandwalkedtothedoor.ItseemedtoOlympia,watchinghimunhappily,thathewasalwaysgoingaway.Thethoughtmadehersayinastrongvoice:‘Waldo,thatisn’twhatImeantatall.Pleasewait,there’ssomething…’

Heinterruptedher,hisvoicekind,hisfaceasplacidasitalwayswas.‘Shallweforgetthis?’hesuggested.‘IknowthatIcantrustyou,Olympia,nevertospeakofittoRia—oranyoneelse.Itneedneverbespokenofagain.’

Hehadgonebeforeshecouldthinkofanythingtosayandsheheardhisvoice,quitenormalandcheerful,ashespoketosomeoneinthehall.

Thedooropenedagain,andjustforasecondshethoughtthathemighthavecomebackandshetookastepforwardwithoutknowingit.Butitwasn’tWaldo,itwasElisabeth,herprettyfacesmiling.Asshecameinshesaidinhersweetvoice:‘Hullo,Olympia—ImetWaldoonthedoorstepasIwasonthepointofknockingandheletmein.I’vecometoseeifyouwouldliketocomeshopping.IhaveafewsmallthingstobuyandIwouldenjoyyourcompany.’

Olympiasmiledather.DearElisabeth,kindandthoughtfulandpreparedtolikeeveryone,evenifshedidcreateawkwardsituations.Anafternoonoutwouldbepleasant,butsheshookherheadregretfully.

‘I’dhavelovedit,buthaveyouforgottenthatItoldyouMijnheerBlomiscomingagainthisafternoonbecausehecan’tmanagetomorrowmorning?—he’llbehereatanymoment.’

ShehadhardlyfinishedspeakingwhenRiacamerunningin,andalthoughhermannersweretoogoodtoallowhertoignoreOlympiaentirely,sheaccordedheronlythebriefestglancebeforerunningtoElisabeth,whomshegreetedwitheverysignofdelight.Atleasttherewasonethingtobethankfulfor,thoughtOlympia,watchingthemchatteringhappilytogether,therewasnothinginthelittlegirl’sfacetoindicatethatshehadbeenthelisteneratthedoor.Reliefsweptoverherinawarmtidesothatsheaskedquitegaily:‘DidNikoeathisdinner,Ria?’

ThechildnoddedbrieflyandturnedbacktoElisabeth,askinghersomethinginanurgentvoice.

‘Riawantstocomewithme—mayshedothat?Ishallnotbelong,youunderstand—halfanhour,anhour.Iwillbringherbackforhertea.’

OlympiaglancedatRia;thechildwantedtogoandtherewasnoearthlyreasonwhysheshouldn’t.Sheagreedreadilyenoughandwentupstairswiththe

childtobrushherhairandhelpherputonthenewredanoraktheyhadchosentogetheronlythatweek.Thathadbeenashoppingexpeditiontoo,althoughbriefandcertainlynotsuccessful.Riahadgonewithherunwillinglyandevenwhenshehadbeeninvitedtochoosethecolourshewanted,shehadbeenremotelypoliteaboutit,therehadbeennofun,nogiggles,onlyawell-brought-uplittlegirlmindinghermanners.Olympiastifledregret,wishedheracheerfulgoodbyeandwatchedherskipdownthestaircasetojoinElisabethwaitinginthehall.Theywentoutofthehousetogether,handinhand,leavingitquietandempty.Olympia,withnothingmuchtodo,pickedupherknittingoncemore,butafterarowortwosheletitfallintoherlap.Perhapsshewouldtakeawalk,areallylongwalk,withNiko,butshehadtodismissthisideaimmediately;Nikohadalreadyhadalongwalk,andahealthyboutofexerciseinthegardenbesides;hewastired,indeed,hewasstretchedoutbeforethecheerfullittlefirecracklingonthehearth.Shegotupandwanderedtothewindow,thefinespringdaywasdeterioratingslowly;greatgreycloudswerenosingtheirwayoverthewashed-outblueofthesky,presentlyitwouldrain.

Sheturnedawayfromthissombreoutlookintimetoseethedoctorwalkinoncemore.

‘Elisabethgone?’hewantedtoknowidly.‘Yes,todosomeshopping.Ria’sgonewithher.’Hewenttothebookshelvesandbegantosearchforwhatherequired.

‘They’redevotedtoeachother,’heobserved,‘andElisabethknowshowtohandleher.’

Olympiahadpickedupherknittingagain,nowshecastitdowninamuddledheaponthefloorandgottoherfeet.Somethinginsideherhadsnapped,freeinghersocarefullysquasheddoubtsandunhappiness;overridingherlove.

‘Itisagreatpity,’sheobservedinaclearvoice,‘thatyoudidn’tmarryElisabeth.Evenifyoudon’tloveher,shelovesyou,anditseemstomethatitwouldhavebeenabsolutelysuperforallthreeofyou.’

Shestartedforthedoor,caughtherknittingwithafoot,kickeditviciouslyasidewithdisastrousresults,andstalkedpastthesilentdoctor,shuttingthedoorwithemphasisbehindher.

Perhapsifshehadhadtheleisuretothinkabout,shemighthavefeltcompelledtogobackatonceandapologizeforheroutburst,butMijnheerBlom,arrivingatthatverymomentforherextralesson,madethatimpossible.Shegreetedhimwithquiteinsincerewarmthandwhiskedhimofftothesmallsittingroom,whereforthenexthourorsoshesatattentivelythroughouthispainstakinglectureonDutchgrammar.Sheheardnotawordofit,andwhileshe

stareddownattherowsofverbshewasexplainingsocarefully,shesawnoneofthem,onlyWaldo’sface.Shewouldapologize;shehadbeenspitefulaboutElisabeth,whohadshownhernothingbutkindnesssinceshehadarrivedinMiddelburgandhadneveroncegivenhercausetoworry.EvenifthepoorgirlwasinlovewithWaldo,shebehavedasanoldfriendandnothingelse,andhe—hehadnevergivenhercausetoworryeither—notwithElisabethatanyrate.Shewasungratefulaswellasspiteful,shetoldherself,hereyesfixedingraveattentiononherteacher’sface;hehadgivenhersomuch,thismanwhomshehadmarried.

ShewenttothedoorwithMijnheerBlomandsawhimsafelyawayandthencrossedthehalltothesitting-room.Outsideitsdoorshepaused,drewadeepbreathandwentin,thespeechshehadbeenrehearsingbetweenboutsofverbsreadyonhertongue.OnlyWaldowasn’tthere,andwhensheinquiredofJoanna,itwastodiscoverthathehadgoneoutandwouldprobablynotbebackuntilafterdinner.

Olympia,stillinanupliftedmood,wenttoretrieveherknitting,andoverasoothingcupofteabeganthedifficulttaskofdisentanglingit.ShehadexpectedRiahomebynow,butprobablyElisabethhadtakenherbacktohaveteawithherandwouldbringherpresently.Theknittingtookalongtime.Shebecamesoabsorbedinitthatbythetimeitwasfinallydealtwith,shewasshockedtoseehowlateitwas.Riashouldhavebeenbackbynow;itwasalmosthersuppertime.Olympiawaitedanotheruneasyhalfanhour,andthen,ratherworried,telephonedElisabeth’shome.Butitwasn’tElisabethwhoanswered,buthermother.Herdaughterwasn’tthere,shetoldherinsomesurprise;shehadtakenRiahomeatleasttwohourspreviously,hadreturnedtocollecthercaseanddrivenherselfofftostaywithfriendsinBelgium.

Olympiafeltsmallicyfingerscrawlupherspine;perhapsMevrouwdeValhadn’tunderstoodherverywell;shetriedagain.‘Butwasn’tRiawithherwhenshereturned?’sheaskedcarefully.

Thevoiceattheotherendofthewiresoundedfaintlyimpatient.‘ElisabethbroughtRiabackhereforteaanddroveherhomebefore

returningheretopickupherthings.IdaresayRiaishidingsomewhereinthehouse—ajoke—youknowwhatchildrenare.’

Olympiathankedherandrangoff;possiblythelittlegirlwashiding,itwasthekindofprankthatsmallchildrenlovedtogetupto,butwhyhadn’tElisabethcometoseeher?Orhadshebeeninsuchahurrythatshehadn’twaitedbutgivenRiaamessage?Shefoughtbackanastyfeelingofpanic.Ofcoursethechildwashidingsomewhere,thatwastheonlyanswer.Shebegantosearchthehouse,goingfromroomtoroom,missingnopossiblespotwhereRiamightbe.

Whenshehadfinishedthehouse,shetackledthegarden,thegarageandthelittlepottingshedbehindit.Then,justtobequitesure,sheclimbedthestairsoncemore,righttothetopofthehouse,andwentthroughtheatticsonceagain,thistimewithafinetoothcomb.

Backinthekitchen,sheaskedEmmaandoldMevrouwHolst,whocameintocleanthesilver,iftheyhadseenanythingofthelittlegirl,althoughsheknewwhattheiranswerwouldbebeforeshehadspoken.SheleftthemgettingRia’ssupper,fetchedhercoatandwentoutintothestreet.Hereshedrewablank,asshedidintheAbbeycourtyard;allthesameshesearchedthoroughly.Itwasduskbynowandshewasbecomingreallyfrightened;Riawassuchalittlegirl,easilyfrightenedtoo,andquicklytiredeventhoughshehadrecoveredfromheroperation.OlympiahurriedbacktothehousetofetchatorchandmakecertainatthesametimethatRiahadn’treturnedhome.Itwaschillyaswellasalmostdarkbynow,butshehadtosearchoncemore.IfonlysheknewwhereWaldowas!Shehadtelephonedthehospital,buttheyhadnoidea,norhadhissecretaryatthesurgery;Olympiahurrieddownstairs,leftcarefulinstructionswithEmma,andrantothedoor.

Waldolethimselfinasshereacheditandputoutasteadyinghandtoslowherdown.

‘Inahurry?’heaskedcoolly.‘Neverrunningaway?’‘No,I’mnot—I’mgoingouttolookforRia,shehasn’tcomehome.I’ve

beenoutonce—Ithoughtshewouldbebackatteatime…’thestorycametumblingout,shehadquiteforgottenthattheyhadpartedonbadtermsonlyafewhoursearlier;allsheknewwasthatherewasWaldo,lookingsafeandsolidandabletoreduceeverythingtonormalityagain.‘I’vehuntedhighandlowandItelephonedthehospital.Oh,Waldo,doyousupposesomethinghashappenedtoher?’

Hehadputhisbagdownontheconsoletable,nowheopenedthedooragain.‘Ihavenoidea,’hesaidbleakly.‘Stayhere—I’lltakethecar.’

‘Letmecomewithyou,’beggedOlympia,andwasshockedtosilencebyhisicy:‘Betternot,Idon’tthinkyouwouldbeofmuchhelp.Apityyoudidn’tdosomethingaboutitsooner.’

Sheforgavehimthisunfairremarkevenwhileithurtsobitterly—itwasthekindofremarkshewouldhavemadeherselfinlikecircumstances,eventhoughitwassocruellyunjust.Thedoorshutquietlybehindhimandsheheardthecar’spowerfulpurrrecedeintothedistance.Itslastechohadbarelydiedwhenshewentoutofthedoorherself.Shehadnoideawheretogo,butherfeettookherautomaticallythroughthearchwayintotheAbbeyclose.Itappearedtobeempty,butinthegatheringgloomonecouldn’tbetoosure.Shewalkedroundits

perimeter,andsatisfiedthattherewasnosmallfigurelurkinginitsshadows,walkedon,outoftheoppositegateway,moreslowlynow,peeringoneachsideofthenarrowcobbledlaneasshewent.

ShecrossedLangeDelftandturnedintotheHerenstraat,towardsthecanal.Therewerefewpeopleabout;everyonewouldbeindoorshavingtheireveningmeal.HerwayledheralongTurfKaaiandtowardstheVlissingenroadandthelighthadalmostgone.Shethrustherhandintoherpocketandtouchedhersmalltorch,andherfingersclosedarounditthankfully.Clutchingitlikeatalisman,shesuddenlyknewwhyherfeethadledherthisway,towardsthemainroad;Riahadtoldher—shecouldn’trememberexactlywhen;shehadbeennaughty—thatonedayshewouldrunawaytoEnglandandlivewithAuntBetsy,andwhenOlympiahadinquiredifsheknewhowtogettoEnglandshehadrepliedthatyes,shehadonlytogotoVlissingenandgetonaboat.Ifthechildhadrunawaytherewasagoodchancethatshewascarryingoutherchildishthreat.

Olympiaquickenedherpace;thewhysandwhere-foresshecouldthinkaboutlateron,nowitwasvitaltofindRia.Shepassedtherowofsmallhousesliningthemainroad;theyweresmallandflat-facedwithtinyfrontgardens,veryneatlykept,andpresentlytheygavewaytosolitarybrick-builtvillas,eachstandinginitsownsmallpieceofground,andthenfinallytoallotments,dottedwithsmallwoodensheds.Hereshesloweddown;ifshewereaverysmallgirl,runningawayfromhome,thosehutswouldrepresentcosysecuritytosomeonewhohadmissedhersupperandwhoseshortlegswouldbetiredafterthelongwalkfromhome.Olympiaturnedinatthefirstopengateandbeganalaborioussearch,tryingthedoorofeachhutinturnandwhenshefoundoneopen,peeringinsidebythelightofhertorch.Probablyshewastrespassing,undoubtedlyifsomeonesawhershewouldhaveahardtimeexplainingheractions,butshewaspastcaringaboutsuchthingsbynow.

Shehadmadeherwayacrosshalfoftheallotmentswhenshenoticedashedstandingalittlebackfromthepath,anditsdoorwasajar.Riawasinside,curleduponasackofpotatoesandfastasleep,hersmallfacetear-stainedandgrubbywhereshehadwipedthetearsaway.Olympia’sheartturnedoverwithreliefandpityatthesightoftheforlornlittlecreature;shearrangedthelightofthetorchsothatitsnarrowbeamshoneawayfromthembothandthengotonthesacktoo,takingRiagentlyinherarmsasshedidso,andtalkinggentlythewhile,sothatwhenthechildwokeshewouldn’tbefrightened.ButRiawokewithnotraceoffearandsaidatonce,tobreakthehardcoreoftearsinOlympia’sbreast,‘I’msogladtoseeyou,youcametofindmelikeamamawould,didn’tyou?’ShedugherheadintoOlympia’sshoulderandsubmittedtosomefiercehugging,whileOlympia,almostspeechlesswithreliefandhappiness,marshalledherDutch.

‘Papaislookingforyou,’shemanaged.‘Heisveryunhappy.’Thesmallface,soggyfromtoomuchcrying,staredatherthroughthe

almostdark.‘Heisnotmypapa.’Olympiacaughtherbreath.‘Didhetellyouthat?’Riashookherhead.‘Thenwhodid,littleone?’‘I’mhungry…’‘SoamI,we’llhaveahugesupperpresently.Whotoldyou?’‘Elisabeth.Thisafternoonwhenwehaddonetheshopping—whenwewere

goinghome.’Riabegantocryagain,andOlympiahushedhergentlywhileshetranslatedlaboriouslytoherself.SoithadbeenElisabethatthedoor—Elisabeth,thequiet,gentlefamilyfriend.ShesaidslowlyinramshackleDutch,‘Yourpapalovesyou,Ria.’Shegotoffthesackandtookoffhercoatandwrappedthechildinit.‘We’regoinghomenow—Papawillbesohappytoseeyouagain.’Shekeptherarmsroundthechild.‘Isthatwhyyouranaway?’sheasked,makinghervoicematter-of-fact.

‘ElisabethsaidIwasn’tanyone’slittlegirl,shesaidIhadbestleavehomebecausenowyouweretherenoonewouldloveme.’Riadrewatearfulbreath.‘ShesaidthatbeforeyoucamewithPapa.’

‘Thatyoumustleavehomebecauseofme?’Olympia’sDutchwashopelesslymangledbynow,butthechildseemedtounderstand.

‘No,notthen.Shesaidyouwouldn’tlikeme,soIwasn’ttolikeyou.’SheleanedhersmallpersonagainstOlympia.‘I’mtired.’

‘ThenIshallcarryyou.Herewego—oops-a-daisy!’Riaflunganarmroundherneckandgiggledsleepily.‘Oops-a-daisy,’she

essayed,andgiggledagain,thenburstintofreshtears.Olympiasatdownagainandheldherclose—agoodcrywoulddothemoppetgood.Itwoulddohergoodtoo,shethoughtwryly,butsurelyWaldowouldbesooverjoyedthathissmalldaughter—no,nothisdaughter,butcertainlyaswelllovedasanydaughterofhiswouldbe—hadbeenfound,thathewouldforgiveandforget—theymightevenbeginagain…ShestifledherstrayingthoughtsandsaidinEnglish:‘There,there,darling,allbetternow.’

Shewaskisseddamply.‘I’llbeyourlittlegirl,’Riatoldherbetweensniffs,‘ifyouwillbemymama.’Eveninhalf-understoodDutchthiswaswonderfulnewsindeed.Lighterofheartthanshehadbeenforsometime,Olympiapickeduphersmallburdenandbegantomakehercarefulwaybacktotheroad.

Itwasn’tagreatdistancebacktoMiddelburg,amileperhaps,andRiawasquiteheavy,butshedidn’tnoticetheweight.Shehadgonealmostathirdofthewaywhensheheardacarcomingtowardsthem.TheRolls;sheknewthesound

ofitsengine,afinesilkyhum,rushingintheirdirection.Shewenttothesideoftheroadandstoodquitestill,waitingforitspowerfulheadlightstocatchthemintheirbeam.Thecarsweptpast,slowed,turnedandpurredpowerfullybacktothem.Itwasquitedarkbynow;shecouldn’tseeWaldo’sfaceashegotoutofthecar,butsheheardhimsayingsomethingquickandfierceinhisownlanguageashebenttotakethenowsleepingchildfromherarms.Hesaidquietly:‘Getin,Olympia,’andshedidasshewastold,herjoyatseeinghimslowlycongealingundertheangershecouldsensebutnotunderstand.

HesettledRiaontoherkneeandclosedthecardooronherbeforegoingroundandgettingintohisownseat.Asthecarslidforwardhesaidinatightvoice:‘Itoldyoutostayathome.’

Sothatwasthecauseofhisanger.‘Iknow,’shespokeeagerly.‘I’msorry,butafteryouhadgoneIrememberedRiatellingmeaboutgoingtoEnglandfromVlissingen,andIfeltcertainthat’swhatshewasdoing—itwasaluckyguess.’

Shereceivednoreplyandafteraminute,unabletokeepittoherselfanylonger,shetoldhiminahappylittlevoice:

‘Ria’sgoingtocallmeMama,Waldo.Isn’titmarvellous,andshesaysshe’llbemylittlegirl.’

Stillsilence.Quitedeflated,shesatbesidehim,silentfortherestoftheshortjourney.Perhapshewastooupsettospeak;hemusthavebeenveryshaken.Shedidn’tknowmuchaboutmenandtheirfeelings,sheremindedherself.Cometothat,shedidn’tknowmuchaboutmen—Waldoespecially.

EmmawaswaitingfortheminthehallasWaldocarriedRiainandstraightupstairstoherroom,wherehelaidheronhersmallbedandleftOlympiaandthehousekeepertoundressherandtuckherup.Shehardlywakenedasshewasundressedandgivenawarmdrink,butwhenthesesmallchoreshadbeendoneandOlympiabenttokissher,sheopenedhereyesandsaidsleepily,‘NowIwillkissyoutoo,’anddidso,wreathingherarmsroundherneckinatighthug.

AsOlympiastraightenedupshesawWaldostandingthere,watching,andbecausehelookedsoremote,hersmilewasuncertainasshewentawaytoherownroom.HewouldwanttotalktoRia,towishhergoodnightandtellherhowgladhewastohaveherhomeagain.Shewentdownstairshalfanhourlater,herfaceandhaircarefullydoneandwearingabluepinaforedresswithapalerblueblousebeneathit—Waldohadsaidoncethathelikedherinblue.

Shefoundhiminthesitting-room,writingatthesmallsecretairebyoneofthewindows,buthegotupasshewentin,andshe,stillbuoyedupbyRia’scapitulation,didn’tnoticethesternnessofhisexpression.Shehurriedacrosstheroomtohim,exclaimingasshewent:

‘Oh,Waldo,Ibelieveit’sgoingtobeallright,afterall!Riadoeslikeme,shemayevenbegintolovemeinalittlewhile—likeherownmother.’Shecametoahaltbeforehim,herfacealightwithhappiness.‘HowluckyitwasthatIfoundher.’

‘Atriumphforyou,Olympia,’hisvoicewassilky,‘attheexpenseofasmallchild’sfrightandunhappiness,sothatshefeltforcedtorunawayfromherhome,andallthissothatyoumightplaytheheroineandrescueher,tofindyourwayintohertrustinglittleheart.’

Hehadn’traisedhisvoiceatall,butitssilkinessmadehershiver.‘IbelievedthatyoulovedherandItrustedyou.’

‘I—Idon’tunderstand,’shelookedathiminbewilderment;surelyhewasn’tangrybecauseshehadfoundRia.

Theblueeyeswhichmetherswereicy.‘No?DidyoubelievethatnoharmwouldbedoneifyoutoldRiathatIwasnotherfather—thatshehadnofatherormother?’

Shewasspeechless,andafterapausehewentonslowly,‘Ididn’tbelieveElisabeth,notatfirst…’

Elisabeth,thatsnakeinthegrass,thoughtOlympia,andallthiswhileI’vebeentakenin—weallhave.ShewantedWaldoandthiswasherwayofturninghimagainstme.Andhehadbelievedher;reluctantly,butnonetheless,hehadlistenedtothatsoftvoice.Shesaidsuddenlyinafirmvoice,‘PleasetelephoneElisabethandaskhertocomehere,now.’

Thedoctor’seyebrowslifted.‘Mydeargirl,youcannothopetogullmeintothinkingthatyoudidn’tknowthatshewasgoingtoAntwerp.’Hisvoicechangedsuddenly.‘Olympia,didyouknow?’Andwhenshenodded,hiseyesgrewhardagain.‘Sothatyouknewhertobesafelyoutoftheway.’

Shewasmakingnoimpressionatall.Herheartsank,butallthesameshetriedagain.‘Youbelievedher?’

‘Notatfirst,I…’Hepausedandthenwentoninasmooth,coldvoice.‘Eventually,Ihadnootherchoice.Elisabethisanoldfriend,Ihaveknownherformanyyears…’

‘Andyoudon’tknowmeatall…’Shewastryingtokeepcalm,buthervoicehadrisen.

Heignoredherinterruption.‘ElisabethisdevotedtoRia,shewouldhardlyinventsuchacrueltale,norwouldshecausethechildanydistress.Howcouldyoubesocruel,Olympia,totellRiasomethingwhichsheneedneverhaveknown,andtobreakyourwordtome.ThankGodElisabethwastheretocomfortthechild,thoughshehadnoideathatRiawassoheartbrokenandthatshewouldrunawayfromusall.’

Olympiachokedbackherrage;ifshelosthertempernowshemightsaythewrongthing.ShecouldexplainandRiawouldbearherout,butshewouldhavetowaituntilthemorning.ShewouldaskRiawhohadtoldherandshewoulddoitwithWaldothere.Allthesame,shetriedjustoncemore.‘Look,’shesaidinacarefullycontrolledvoice,‘pleaseletmetellyou…’

His‘No’wasfirmanddetermined.‘Idon’twanttoknow,Olympia.Probablyyoudiditforreasonsofyourown,butIdon’twishtoknowthem.Andpleasegivemeyourpromisethatyouwillsaynothing—nothingtoRia,noquestions,nohints,nobreathofthewholemiserableaffair.Iwilltalktohertomorrowandexplainallsheneedstoknow,andthentheentirematteristobeforgotten.’

Shedoubtedifshewouldeverforgetit,andevenifWaldodid,itwouldremainbetweenthemfortherestoftheirlivesandnothingshecoulddowoulddestroyit,andnowhehadtakenherchanceofexplainingfromher.‘Ipromise,’shetoldhim.

Henoddedandthen,truetohisedict,askedherinaperfectlynormalvoiceifshewouldcareforadrinkbeforedinner.Theforgettingwastotakeplaceasfromnow.Sheswallowedanhystericalgiggleandwashorrifiedtodiscoverthattearspreventedherfromspeaking.Shemadeshortworkofhersherryunderhissurprisedeye,andmutteringsomethingaboutEmmaandthekitchen,escaped.

Thesherrywentatoncetoherhead.Sheclimbedthestairsandsatonthetoptread,onearmroundthecarvedbalustrade.Shewouldhavetothinkofsomething;soonerorlaterElisabethwouldcomebackandshecouldtaxherwithherconduct,butinthemeantimeshewouldhavetopullherselftogether.Helpedenormouslybythesherry,shewenttothekitchenwhereEmmagaveherasurprisedlookandasked:‘Isanythingthematter,Mevrouw?Youlookstrange.Iwasjustgoingtotakeinthesoup.’

Olympiasmiledandnoddedandwentbacktothesitting-roomtotellWaldothatdinnerwasready.Heputdownhisglassandstoodlookingather.‘Olympia,’hesaid,andhisvoicewaskindnow,‘Ihopethatyouwilldonothingimpulsivebecauseofthis—Riamustnotbeupsetasecondtime.’

‘Youmeanrunawayorsomething?’sheaskedbluntly,hervoicealittleloudbyreasonofthesherry.‘No,Iwon’tdothat—Iwon’trunaway,althoughthatwasprobablywhatIwasmeanttodo.’

Hefrowned.‘Thatsoundslikeawildstatement,whatdidyoumeanbyit?’‘Nothing—justawildstatement.Thesoupwillbegettingcold.’Itwasarathersilentmeal.Nothingcouldbesillier,thoughtOlympia,

nibblingherwaythroughamealshedidn’twant,thantwopeoplemakingconversationwhentheyhadnothingtosaytoeachother.Shestolealookather

husband;hewasn’teatingmucheither,buthisfaceworeitsusualplacidexpressionagain—hisdearface,shethoughtfoolishly,andshewouldneverbeabletotellhimthat,hewouldbeshockedandupsetifshetoldhimthatshelovedhimtodistraction.Shehadonlytoopenhermouthandsayso.Helookedupandthewordsshelongedtosayturnedthemselvesintoanofferofmoretrifle.ShewonderedwhathewouldsayifshetoldhimthatElisabethhadplannedthewholething;shemusthavebeenveryquickaboutit,forshehadhadonlyafewminutesinwhichtodecidehowtoturnWaldo’swordstoheradvantage,andpresumablysheexpectedthatOlympiawouldgiveinatlast,andfacedwithWaldo’sangerandRia’sdislike,gobacktoEngland.Well,shewasn’tgoingto.Shewouldbehere,waiting,whenElisabethcameback.Itwasn’tuntilshewasinbed,stillthinkingaboutit,thatsherememberedthatWaldowasn’tinlovewithElisabeth;hewouldneverwantherforhiswife,shewascertainofthat.ThegirlinLondon,forgottenuntilthatmomentloomedintohermindtokeephersleeplessforthegreaterpartofthenight.

ItwasobviousthenextdaythatRiahadneitheraskedanyquestionsnorvolunteeredanyinformationaboutherescape.Waldomusthaveexplainedmattersverysatisfactorily,forshewasquitehappyandundisturbed,andtoOlympia’sdelight,displayedanaffectionforherwhichshehadnevershownbefore.ItwasattheendofanendlessdaythatWaldocamehometotellthemthattheywereallgoingovertoLondontovisitAuntBetsy.‘Ihaveoneortwomatterstoattendto,’heexplained,‘andachangewilldousallgood.’

Riareceivedthenewswithrapture,Olympiarathermoreguardedly.‘Doyoureallywantmetocomewithyou?’sheasked.‘Butofcourse,doyounotwishtocome?Ithoughtwemightgotooneor

twotheatres.’Sohehadmeantwhathesaid,hehadforgotten;shehadneverbelievedthat

hewould,orcould;hehadforgivenhertoo,eventhoughhebelievedthatshehaddoneallthethingsofwhichhehadaccusedher.Shelovedhimverymuchforthat.‘Ishouldliketogoverymuch,’shesaidquietly.‘Howlongshallwebeaway?’

Hisvoicewascoollyfriendly.‘Ican’tsay.ItratherdependsuponsomeoneImustseewhileIaminLondon.’

FornoreasonatallOlympiarememberedthegirl.Awaveofmiseryengulfedher.Shehadbeenafailure;atleast,perhapsnotquite,butshehadhardlybeenasparklingsuccess,hadshe?Thinkingaboutit,sheknewnowthatshewouldhavebeenmoreofasuccessifElisabethhadn’tpointedouthermistakesandshortcomingsquitesooften,butthatdidn’tmatternow.Waldomustbitterlyregretmarryingher;shecaughtsightofherreflectioninthewall

mirrorandsawthatshewashardlylookingherbest;shewaswearingasobergreydresswhichdrainedallthecolourfromheralreadycolourlessfaceandshehadn’tbotheredover-muchwithherhair.IfIwereaman,shetoldherselfsilently,Iwouldn’tlooktwiceatyou,letalonemarryyou,andshetransferredhergazetothedoctor,poringoveramapwithRia.Itwasafinemuddletheywerein.SherememberedthatsomeonehehadtomeetinLondon;lethimsortitoutforhimself,hewouldgetnohelpfromher.Ragebubbledup,devouringhercarefullypreservedserenity.Forthehundredthtimeshewonderedwhyhehadmarriedher;Elisabethhadbeenthere,waitingforhimtoopenhisarms,andeventhoughhehadn’twantedher,therewasthissweet-voicedcreatureinLondon.Olympiasnatchedupherill-usedknitting.Itwouldn’tbefittowearbythetimeshehadfinishedwithit,butwhatdidthatmatter?Itgavehersomethingtodo.Shebeganonitnow,appalledatthestrengthofherfeelings;shehadalwaysthoughtthatlovewouldbegentle,andwhennecessary,self-sacrificing.Itwasnothingofthesort;itwasoverwhelming,aflameoffeelingwhichbroughtouttheveryworstaspectsofhercharacter.

CHAPTERNINE

THEYWERETOGOTOENGLANDINAweek’stimeandtheinterveningdayswerefilledagreeablyenoughwithshoppingandtheEnglishlessonsRiahaddemanded;itseemedthatshewasbentonmasteringtheEnglishlanguagewithinafewdays,andindeed,shewasquickenoughtolearnallthatOlympiawasteachingher.Asforthedoctor,hewasseldomathome.Takingaweek’sholidaywouldputextrapressureonhistwopartners,sothathefeltcompelledtodomorethanhissharebeforehewent.HewasusuallygonenowbeforeOlympiagotdowninthemorningandifhecamehomeforlunchitwasamealeateninahurrywithnochancetotalk.Nordidhejointhemfortea;itwasasthoughheweremakinghisworkanexcuseforavoidingher,andshe,supposingthistobeso,forcedacheerfulface,devotedherselftoRiaandinthesloweveninghoursbeforehecamehomeatlast,occupiedherselfathisdesk,neatlyenteringappointments,answeringthetelephoneandsortinghisletters.

TwodaysbeforetheyweretoleaveWaldocamehomeunexpectedlyearly.Olympiawasinthestudy,laboriouslysortingcircularsfromthepost,whileRia,dressing-gownedandreadyforbed,satbeforethesmallfiregobblingdownhermilkandbiscuitswhichOlympiahadjustfetchedfromthekitchen.Itwasasplendidsign,shethought,watchingthelittlegirlwithanamusedsmile,thatRiahaddevelopedsuchagoodappetite.ShehadchangedagooddealsinceOlympiahadfoundherintheshed;sheseemedcontentandverysureofthelovetheywerebothtakingsuchpainstoshowher;certainlythehappylittlefacesheturnedtothedoctorashecameintotheroomwasproofofthatasshejumpedtoherfeettobehuggedandkissed.Hegroanedinmockhorroratthebarrageofquestionshewasexpectedtoanswerastheylaughedandtalkedtogether.ButOlympiacouldn’thelpbuthearthechangeinhisvoiceasheturnedtospeaktoher.Answeringhispoliteinquiriesastotheirday,shewonderedifthiswashowitwouldalwaysbenow;thisreservedpolitenessanddeliberateavoidanceofhercompany;ifso,howwouldsheeverlearntobearit?Butherfaceassheturnedtoanswerhimwassereneenough.

Shelefthislettersneatlypiledandsaidpleasantly:‘I’llgoandseeaboutdinner.Areyougoingoutagain?Wouldyoulikeitearlier?’

HehadgotdownontherugbesideRiaandNikohadjoinedthem.They

madeacharmingdomesticpicture,thethreeofthem.‘Don’tbother,’hetoldher.‘I’llgetmyselfadrinkbeforedinner—Ihadteaatthehospital.Howarethelessonsgoing?’

Hewasbeingfriendly,shesupposed,becauseRiawasthere.‘TheInstantEnglish?’shesaidcheerfully.‘Absolutelysuper—thechild’sawizard.AuntBetsyisgoingtobeveryimpressed.’

‘I’mimpressedtoo,’saidWaldosoftly,‘withyourkindnessandpatienceandaffectionforRia.’

Itwassounexpectedthatshecouldonlystandandgapewhileaslowwaveofcoloursweptoverherface.‘That’sajoke,isn’tit?’shemanagedinasteadyvoice,‘butacrueloneafterthe—thethingsyousaidtome.’

ShealmostranoutoftheroomandstayedinthekitchenuntilRiacameintotellhershewasgoingtobed.Theywentupthestairshand-in-hand,thelittlegirlstillchatteringgaily,notnoticingOlympia’ssilence.

Shewassilentduringdinnertoo,butifWaldonoticedithesaidnothing,buttalkedofsmallmatters,beggedheradviceastowhatRiamightwanttodoinLondonandaskedherifsheneededanythingforherself.

Withaneffortshemadeherselfanswercheerfully.‘No,thanks,Ican’tthinkofanything.I’veboughtoneortwothingsRianeeded,andifyoudon’tmind,IthoughtImightgoshoppingforherwhilewe’reinLondon—shecoulddowithsomenewshoesandIwanttogetsomeVyellaforherdresses—it’scheaperthere,youknow.’

Hesmiledfaintly.‘Ofcourse,agoodidea.Imayhavetoleaveyoutoyourowndevicesforsomeofthetime,butIdon’tsupposeyouwillmindthat.’

‘Youaresureyouwantustocome?’Thequestionhadpoppedoutbeforeshecouldstopit.

Hegaveheralong,unnervinglook.‘Quitesure.ThereissomeoneIwantyoutomeet—soonerthanIhadplanned,infact,butsuddenlyit’simportantthatwe…’

‘Awoman?’Shethoughtthatforoneminutehewasgoingtolaugh.Certainlyhiseyes

weredancing,butwhenshelookedathim,hisfacewasgraveenough.‘Yes,awoman.Olympia,thereissomethingImustsay…’

Sheinterruptedhimfiercely.‘There’snothingtosay—there’snothingIwanttoknow,andanyway,haveyouforgottenthatIcan’tkeepsecrets?Whateveritisyouwanttotellme,Imightturnittomyownadvantageagain,mightn’tI?’Hereyesflashedandhertonguegatheredspeed.‘Oh,yousaiditwasnevertobespokenofagain,butIcan’tstopmythoughts—nor,Iimagine,canyou.’ShedugintoEmma’sexquisiteCharlotteRussewithnoregardastoitsperfectshapeand

passedhimhisplate.‘You’llexcuseme,’shegotupratherclumsilyandmadeforthedoor,‘Ihaveaheadache,IthinkI’llgotobed.’

Sheheardhisurgent‘Olympia!’andignoreditassheclosedthedoorbehindher.

Itwasfairlysimpletoavoidbeingalonewithhimforthenexttwenty-fourhours;shehadenoughtokeepherbusy,packingandpreparingfortheirtrip,andtherewasEmmatoconferwithaboutthehousekeeping.TheymetatmealtimesandifWaldohadwantedtotellhersomethingurgent,heshowednosignofbeinginahurrytodoso;besides,shegavehimnochance.

TheytravelledintheRollswithRiasqueezedbetweenthem,toOlympia’srelief,becausenowtherewouldbenoopportunityforWaldototalktoher.Sheputaprotectingarmroundthechildandinanswertohisquery,assuredhimthatshewascomfortable.

‘ButinEngland,liefje,’hetoldRia,‘youwillsitinthebackandmakenofuss.Thatisunderstood?’

Themoppetwasallobedience.‘Yes,Papa,andMamashallsitwithme.’‘Mamawillsitwheresheis.’‘ButIwantherwithme.’‘IwantMamatoo.’TherewassomethinginhisvoicewhichmadeOlympia

lookathim,meetinghiseyesacrossRia’shead.Theyheldanexpressionwhichshecouldn’treadandshemadehastetosaybrightly:

‘I’llsitheresothatIcanshowPapatheway.’Andthat,shetoldherself,wasoneofthesilliestremarksshecouldhaveuttered,anopinionborneoutbyRia,whoshrilled:‘ButPapaknowstheway.’

‘Papa,’saidthedoctorgravely,‘hasbeengettinglostlately—hehasbeenchasingrainbows.’

Ria,highlyinterested,wantedtoknowwhy.‘Well,thereisasongwhichgoes:“Followeveryrainbowtillyoufindyour

dream”—andthatiswhatIhavebeendoing.’‘Didyoufindyourdream,Papa?’HewasstillstaringatOlympia,who,awareofit,wasscrabblingroundin

herhandbag,herheadbent.‘Yes,’hespokeslowly,‘ittookmealongtime,though,andeventhenIdidn’tknowitatonce.’Hestartedthecar.‘Haveyoulostsomething,Olympia?’

Sheshutherhandbagwithasnap.‘No—no.’Whichwasn’tquitetrue;shehadanastyfeelingthatshewasfastlosingherwits.

TherewasnodoubtingAuntBetsy’swelcomewhentheyarrivedatherhouse.SheembracedthemallinturnandthenturnedtoRiaagain,withsomelaughingremarkinDutch.Riafixedherwithabrightdarkeye.

‘IspeakEnglish,’sheinformedhergreat-auntimportantly,andhavingachievedhertriumph,lapsedintohermothertongue.Olympia,standingalittleononesidewhileWaldofetchedintheluggage,wasn’tquitecertainwhatshewassaying,butshesawahorrifiedlookonherhostess’sfaceandthen:‘Papaisn’tmypapa,’shrilledRia,andthistimeOlympiaunderstoodher.‘AuntElisabethtoldmeso,butitdoesn’tmatter…’

‘Whotoldyou,liefje?’askedthedoctorfromthedoor.Thelittlegirldancedacrosstotakehishand.‘TanteElisabeth,whenshe

tookmetotheshops—shetoldmehowIcouldrunawaytoEnglandtoo,shesaidImustbecauseyouandMamadidn’twantme,butIdidn’tknowaboutbeingyourownlittledaughterfromthedayIwasababy,didI?AndIdidn’tknowMamalovedmetoo.TanteElisabethsaidMamawantedmetogoaway,butitwasamistake,wasn’tit?’Sheliftedherfacetobekissed.

‘Yes,littleone,averysillymistake.You’remydaughter,andMama’stoo—wecouldn’tbewithoutyou.’HepushedhergentlytowardsMrsvanderGraaf.‘GoandtellAuntBetsyallaboutit.Ithinkshewillbeveryinterestedinyouradventures.’

AuntBetsytookhercuefromhimontheinstant.‘Mostinterested,’sheassuredherlisteners.‘Idaresayitwilltakeuntilbedtimetotell—IshallgiveRiaanicelittlesupperandputhertobedmyself,andyoutwocangoandtuckheruplater.’SheheldoutacommandinghandandwithadelightedRiaintow,swamfromthehall.

Olympiawatchedthemgo,notlookingatWaldoatall,althoughshewasperfectlyawarethathehadshutthefrontdoorandwascomingtowardsher.Asheswungherroundtofacehimhesoundedquiteshocked.

‘Olympia,deargirl,whydidn’tyoutellme?’Hishandsweregentleonhershoulders,andtherewassomethinginhis

voice…sheignoredit.‘Ididn’tknow—notforcertain,yousee.Icouldn’taskRiabecauseyoumademepromisenottospeaktoheraboutiteveragain.’

‘MyGod,Ideservetobeshot…’‘Yes,youdo,’sheagreedfiercely.‘Youareamosttiresomeanddifficult

husband,andIdon’tthinkIwanttobeyourwifeanylonger.’Shesniffed.‘Youdon’tbelieveme,andyoudon’ttellmethings…’Sheroundedonhim,quitebesideherselfandnotcaringwhatshesaidanymore.‘YoubelievedElisabeth—andnowthere’sthisgirlyou’vecometosee,andIknowyouonlywantmeheresothatyoucanarrangeadivorce.Whydon’tyoutellmethatI’vebeenamiserablefailure,insteadoftreatingmelikea—astranger?IsupposewheneverythingissettledI’mtobetold.’

Heactuallylaughed.‘Yes,that’sexactlywhatIhadplanned,butIcansee

thatitwon’tdonow,mypretty.There’ssomuchImustsaytoyou,butthatmustwait,thereisaquickerwaytoexplain.Nowstaywhereyouare,IhavetospeaktoAuntBetsy.’

Hewasbackwhileshewasstillwonderingwhyhehadcalledherhispretty.Hesaidnothingmore,however,merelysweptheroutofthehouseoncemoreandbackintothecar.Shewascomposingasuitablequestionortwo,somethingshecouldsaywithoutlossofdignity,whenshenoticedthattheyweregoingupPrimroseHill,andforgettingallaboutthedignity,sheexclaimed:‘We’renotgoingtoseeAuntMaria?’

Hedidn’tanswerher,fortherewashardlytime,butitseemedthattheywere;hestoppedinfrontofthewell-rememberedhouseandgotoutandcameroundtoopenherdoor.‘Well,hereweare,’hesaidnicely.‘Outyouget.’

‘Idon’tthinkIwant…’shebegan,andalongarmslidroundherwaistandliftedherwithouteffortandstoodheronherfeetonthepavement.Somuchforassertingherself,shethoughtvexedly,andnotwishingtobecarriedacrossthepavement,wentmeeklytothefrontdoorwithhim.Onlyasherangthebellsheprotested:‘Myauntwon’twanttoseeme.’

‘Yourauntisn’there,’observedWaldoblandly,andstoopedtokisshersoundlyasthedooropenedandheusheredherinside.Shebarelyheardhimsay:‘Itwillbeexplainedlater,mydarling,’—aremark,which,comingontopofthekiss,leftherspeechless.MrsBlairhadopenedthedoor,butOlympiahadnotimetodomorethanwishhergoodevening,forheraunt’sofficedoorhadopenedandawomanwascomingtomeetthem.Aratherdumpywoman,nolongeryoungbutwithamerryroundface,surmountedbyanicelygofferedmuslincapandwearingMatron’suniform.Shebegantospeakbeforeshereachedthem,andOlympiarealizedwithashockthatshehadheardhervoicebefore—ayouthfulvoice,prettyandlight;likeagirl’s—evenonthetelephoneithadlostnoneofitscharm.

‘DoctorvanderGraaf,hownice—Iwasn’tsurewhenyouwould—andyouhavebroughtyourwife…Iwonderedif…’Shepausedforbreath,offeredahandandsmiledlargelyatthemboth.

Waldogreetedherwitheasyfriendliness.‘Yes,thisismywife.Olympia,thisisMrsDoreenBetts,mydear,sheandherhusbandrunthehomeforme.Ibelievethatyouhavealreadyspokentoeachotheronthetelephone.’

Olympiaglancedathim.Therewasagleamofamusementinhiseyes,andshelookedawayquicklyandofferedahandtoMrsBetts,whowentonchattily,‘Asurpriseforyou,isn’tit,MrsvanderGraaf?talkaboutsecret,andsuchalottodo—everythingalteredandpaintedandpapered—you’venoidea.AndtothinkthatIalmostletthecatoutofthebag!IhadnoideathatdayIrangupthat

itwasyouonthetelephone.IdaresayyouwonderedwhoIwas.Ihopeyoudidn’tguess?’

Olympiamurmuredthatno,shehadn’tandremarked,feverishly,thatthehall,nowthatithadbeenpaperedawarmredandallthepaintworkaspankingwhite,lookeddelightful.

MrsBettsagreedwithenthusiasmassheledthewaytotheoffice.‘Andthewholeplacesobrightandcheerful,’shewenton.‘Suchabusytimewe’vehad,haven’twe,Doctor?Colouredsheetsandbedcovers,andeasychairsandaliftsothatthetopfloorpatientscancomedowntothe“common”roomthat’sbeenbuilt—justlikeyouwanted,Doctor…’

Waldosmiledather.‘Wemustalterthat,MrsBetts;itisjustlikemywifewanted.’

Olympiastoodverystill,rememberinghowshehadopenedherhearttohimsoonaftertheyhadmet,tellinghimallherdreamsofwhatshewoulddoifshehadlimitlessmoneyandthechancetouseitonthehome—andhehadremembered.QuiteforgettingMrsBetts,shebegan:‘Waldo…’

Shewasn’tallowedtofinish;heinterruptedpleasantly:‘Perhapsyouwouldliketolookround,mydear,whileItalktoJimaboutthosebasementplans.’

Olympiaallowedherselftobeledaway,toexclaimovernewcurtains,thecentralheatingwhichhadbeenputin,evenrighttothetopofthehouse,andtheprettynewfurnitureandcomfortablewards.Andsomanyoftheoldpeopleshehadknownwerestillthere,sittingroundcardtables—somethingAuntMariahadneverallowed—orreadingandknitting.Thereseemedtobeplentyofnursestoo,andMissSnow,whowasonduty,assuredherthatMrsDrewandMrsCooperwerestilltheretooandneverwantedtoleave.‘Andit’stobehoped,’endedMissSnow,rathertartly,‘thatyourauntishappyinthatvillainSpain.’

Olympiasmiledandnoddedandansweredquestions,allthewhilethinkingthatSpainseemedaveryunlikelyplaceforAuntMariatobelivingin;shewouldhavetoaskWaldoaboutitpresently;shewouldhavetoaskhimagreatdeal,butatthemomentshewasn’tsurewhat.Shewasquitebewilderedandsomewheredeepinsidehertherewasastrongfeelingofexcitement.Shewasledbackdownstairspresentlytomeethimandlistenedinabemusedwaywhilehetalkedaboutthedrasticimprovementsthereweretobeinthebasement;itwasquiteareliefwhenWaldo,inthenicestpossibleway,saidthattheywouldhavetobegoing,andshefoundherselfinthecaroncemore.Hehadbarelytimetopressthestarterbeforesheburstout:‘Youdidn’ttellmeaboutAuntMaria.’

Hegentledthecarintothestreamofeveningtraffic.‘No.Iwasgoingtosurpriseyou.’

‘Youhave.’

Hismouthquirkedinahalfsmile.‘Yes,butnotinquitethewayIhadintended.Iwantedtoshowyouthehomeasafaitaccompli,asnearlylikeyourideasaspossible.’

Shegasped,‘Youboughtit?’‘Yes.’Heslidtoahaltbytrafficlights.‘Yourauntneededverylittle

persuasiontosell;onceyouhadgone,shediscoveredthatshehadlosthermainpropandstay.’

‘Oh.’Shewasawarethatthiswasaninadequateanswer,butforthelifeofhershecouldthinkofnothingelsetosay.Shesaid:‘Oh,’againbeforeshecouldstopherself.ShewasstillcomposingherchaoticthoughtsintosensiblespeechwhenhedrewupoutsideAuntBetsy’shouse.

Inthehallshemadeforthestairs.Shereallyneededtimetothink,butshewasnottobegivenit.Waldoshutthefrontdoorbehindhimandleanedagainstit.‘No,’hesaid,‘don’trunaway.Therearethingswemustsay,mylovelygirl.’

Shestopped,herfootpoisedonthebottomstair.Nobodyhadcalledheralovelygirlbefore.Shelookedoverhershoulderandsawthelookonhisfaceandwithoutawordturnedroundandwalkedovertohim.

‘AuntBetsywasright,’hetoldher,‘Ishouldhavetoldyoulongago.’‘What?’sheaskedurgently.‘Agreatmanythings,butonlyoneofthemmatters.I’vefalleninlovewith

you.Yousee,Ifoundmydream,mydearestdarling,butIdidn’tknowit,notuntilRiaranawayandyouwenttooandIthoughtIhadlostyou.’

‘Butyouweresoangry,andyoubelievedElisabeth,youdidn’teven…’Hehadcoveredthefootortwobetweentheminonestride.‘Ideservetoberemindedofthateverydayofmylife,’hetoldherhumbly,‘butoh,mydarling,itmadenodifferencetomyloveforyou,canyouunderstandthat?notforoneseconddidIstoplovingyou,evenwhileElisabeth’slogicmadesuchsense.’Hisblueeyeswereverybright,staringdownintohersashecaughtherinhisarms.‘Oh,mydearlove,Iwantedtomakeyouhappy;todosomethingforyou,eventhoughIhadn’trealizedthatitwasyouIloved,andevenwhenRiaranaway,Istillwantedtodothat.’

Sheleanedbackinhisarmstolookathim.‘YoushouldhavetoldmeaboutMrsBetts—doyouknowwhatIthought…?’

‘IndeedIdo,mydarling,butIdidn’tevenguessatittobeginwith.’Hisarmstightenedsothatshecouldhardlybreathe.‘Olympia,couldwestartagain—couldyoulearntoloveme?’

Shehadn’tstoppedlookingathim;allthethingsshehadhopedforweretherenowandshesmiled.‘I’mnotsurehowyoulearntolovesomeone.IonlyknowthatI’velovedyoueversincethatdayinMiddelburgwhenyouhopedthat

Iwouldbehappy.Idon’tneedtostartagain,Waldo.’Hekissedherthen,asatisfying,lengthyoperationwhichleftherbreathless,

thenpickedherupandswungherroundtosethergentlyonherfeetagain,andwhensheopenedhermouthtoprotest,hekissedheroncemore.‘Tomorrow,’hetoldher,‘we’regoingout,youandI,andIshallbuyyouagiftforeverydayI’veknownyou.’

Gonewastheplacidexpression,thewell-schooledcalmface,hiseyesheldagleamshehadneverseenbefore.Therewereseveralsmallproblemsfacingthem

Elisabeth,forinstance,butshehadthesatisfyingfeelingthatifshementionedherbynameatthatmomenthewouldn’tevenrememberwhoshewas.Shereachedupandkissedhim.‘Waldo,’shebegan,andwasinterruptedbyasmallshrillvoicefromsomewhereupstairs.Shesmiled.‘Your—no—ourdaughter,dearest.’

Hegrinnedsuddenly.‘Oureldestdaughter,mydarlingheart.’Shekissedhimagain.‘Itwon’tmatterabouttheboys.’shemused,‘butthe

littlegirlswillhavetotakeafteryou.’Theybegantowalk,arminarm,towardsthestairs.‘Mydaughters,’declared

thedoctorpositively,‘willtakeaftertheirmother,althoughtheycan’thopetobehalfaspretty.’

Asatisfyingremark.Olympia,underhislovinggaze,feltallatoncethemostbeautifulgirlinthewholeworld.

ISBN:978-1-4592-3937-1

THEENDOFTHERAINBOW

Copyright©1974byBettyNeels.

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