spasm in his face. «He told you that, did he? He's fifty-eight. Ask him.»
«He can't be-«Look him up in Who's Who.»
«I'm not in Who's Who.»
«Bradley, how old are you?»
«Fifty-eight.»
«When you are thirty he will be nearly seventy,» said Arnold. «Come on. Surely this is enough. We've kept this quiet and there's no need for shouting. I see Bradley even removed the blunt instrument. Let's go, Julian. You can have your cry in the car. Then you'll start feeling what an escape you've had. Come. He won't try to stop you now. Look at him.»
Julian was looking at me. I covered my face.
«Bradley, take your hands away. Please. Are you really fifty– eight?»
«Yes.»
«Can't you see he is? Can't you see he is?»
She murmured, «Yes-now-«
«Does it matter?» I said. «You said you didn't mind what age I was.»
«Oh don't be pathetic,» said Arnold. «Let's all keep our dignity. Come, Julian, please. Bradley, don't think I'm being unkind. I'm doing what any father would do.»
«Quite,» I said, «quite.»
Julian said, «I can't bear it, about Priscilla, I can't bear it, I can't bear it-«Steady,» said Arnold. «Steady. Come now.»
I said, «Julian, don't go. You can't just go like that. I want to explain things to you properly and alone. Al. l right, if you now feel differently about me, that's that. I'll drive you anywhere you want and we'll say good-bye. But I beg you not to leave me now. I ask you in the name of-in the name of-«I forbid you to stay,» said Arnold. «I regard this relationship as a defilement. I'm sorry to use such strong language. I have been very upset and very angry and I am trying hard to be reasonable and to be kind. Do just see this thing objectively. I cannot and I will not go away without you.»
«I want to explain to you,» I said. «I want to explain about Priscilla.»
«How can you-?» she said. «Oh dear-oh dear-« She was crying now helplessly, with trembling wet lips.
I felt agony, physical pain, total terror. «Don't leave me, my darling, I should die.» I went to her and reached out towards her, touching the sleeve of my jacket timidly.
«Julian, I can't let you go now, I'd go mad please don't go-you must stay with me long enough to let me defend myself-«You are indefensible,» said Arnold. «Why argue? Can't you see it's over? You have had a caper with a silly girl and now it's over. The spell is broken. And give me that spanner. I don't like to see you holding it.»
I gave him the spanner, but I did not move from the door. I said, «Julian, decide.»
Julian, making an effort with her tears, pulled herself quickly but firmly away from her father's grip. «I'm not going with you. I'm going to stay here with Bradley.»
«Oh thank God,» I said, «thank God.»
