“Twenty-five pounds.”
“Come, Mr. Harkness, that’s what you proposed paying over six months. The war is going to last longer than that.”
“Thirty. I can’t go higher than thirty.”
He was not a rich man, Basil reflected; very likely thirty was all he could afford. “I daresay I could find someone to take them for that,” he said. “Of course you realize that this is all highly irregular.”
“Oh, I realize that.” Did he? Basil wondered; perhaps he did. “Will you fetch those children to-day?”
“Today?”
“Without fail.” Mr. Harkness seemed to be dictating terms now. “The cheque will be waiting for you. I will make it out to bearer.”
“What a long time you’ve been,” said Barbara. “Have you pacified him?”
“I’ve got to find a new home for the Connollies.”
“Basil, you’ve let him off!”
“He was so pathetic. I softened.”
“Basil, how very unlike you.”
“I must get to work with that address book again. We shall have to have the Connollies here for the night. I’ll find them a new home in the morning.”
He drove over to North Grappling in the twilight. On either side of the lane the new-dug snow was heaped high, leaving a narrow, passable track. The three Connollies were standing outside the apple-green door waiting for him. “The man with the beard said to give you this,” said Doris. It was an envelope containing a cheque; nothing more. Neither Harkness appeared to see them off.
“Mister, am I glad to see you again!” said Doris.
“Jump in,” said Basil.
“May I come in front with you?”
“Yes, jump in.”
“Really? No kidding?”
“Come on, it’s cold.” Doris got in beside Basil. “You’re here on sufferance.”
“What does that mean?”
“You can sit here as long as you behave yourself, and as long as Mickey and Marlene do too. Understand?”
“Hear that, you brats?” said Doris with sudden authority. “Behave, or I’ll tan yer arses for yer. They’ll be all right, mister, if I tell ‘em.”
They were all right.
“Doris, I think it’s a very good game of yours making the kids be a nuisance, but we’re going to play it my way in future. When you come to the house where I live you’re to behave, always. See? I may take you to other houses from time to time. There you can usually be as bad as you like, but not until I give the word. See?”
“O.K. partner. Give us a cig.”
“I’m beginning to like you, Doris.”
“I love you,” said Doris with excruciating warmth, leaning back and blowing a cloud of smoke over the solemn children in the back. “I love you more than anyone I ever seen.”
“Their week with the Harknesses seems to have had an extraordinary effect on the children,” said Barbara after dinner that night. “I can’t understand it.”
“Mr. Harkness said there were imponderabilia at Mill House. Perhaps it’s that.”
“Basil, you’re up to something. I wish I knew what it was.”
Basil turned on her his innocent blue eyes, as blue as hers and as innocent; they held no hint of mischief. “Just war work, Babs,” he said.
“Slimy snake.”
“I’m not.”
“Crawly spider.” They were back in the schoolroom, in the world where once they had played pirates. “Artful monkey,” said Barbara, very fondly.
Companies paraded at quarter-past eight; immediately after inspection men were fallen out for the company commanders’ orderly room; that gave time to sift out the genuine requests from the spurious, deal with minor offences, have the charge sheets made out properly and the names entered in the guard report of serious defaulters for the C.O.
“Private Tatton charged with losing by neglect one respirator, anti-gas, value 18/6.”
Private Tatton fell into a rambling account of having left this respirator in the N.A.A.F.I. and, going back for it ten minutes later, having found it gone.
“Case remanded for the commanding officer.” Captain Mayfield could not give a punishment involving loss of pay.
“Case remanded for the commanding officer. About turn. As you were. I didn’t say anything about saluting. About turn. Quick march.”
Captain Mayfield turned to the IN basket on his table.
