Before she had time to get it there was a knock on the back door, and Kate herself came in, taking her utterly by surprise; for Kate rarely visited anyone . even her.
Mrs. Mullen looked quickly at her, and away again . whatever had happened, it had certainly taken it out of her.
"Sit down, lass," she said awkwardly.
Kate shook her head.
"Willie's saving up to buy furniture, isn't he, Mrs. Mullen?"
"Yes, lass," answered Mrs. Mullen, perplexed.
"Do you think there's anything next door he'd like?"
Mrs. Mullen stared at her.
"I know the stuff's not much good," Kate went on, 'but there's the chest of drawers and one good bed and the lino. Then there's the saddle and chiffonier and kitchen table. "
"What are you talking about, lass?"
"Selling up," said Kate, in a rush.
"I'm going away and I must have some money. I've only twenty-two shillings in the world. If I could get about ten pounds ... but the stuff's not worth that, I know. Could you lend me a few pounds, Mrs.
Mullen? I'll soon get work and let you have it back."
"Lass, sit down and calm yourself. What do you want to go away for like this? ... Why, I thought ... well ... the doctor will be here any day now!"
Kate shook her head from side to side: "I can't tell you why I'm going, Mrs. Mullen ... only I've got to go.... Do you think Willie will take some of the things?"
"It's very likely; I'll ask him, lass, as soon as he comes in. But what's your rush? When are you going?"
"As soon as I possibly can. Only don't ask me any questions, Mrs.
Mullen. If I could tell anybody I'd tell you, you've been so good to me . but I can't. "
"But it's Christmas, Kate! You can't go rushing off at Christmas."
"Christmas!" said Kate bitterly.
"Christmas is the very
time for me to go. Anything that's going to happen to me waits until Christmas. I loathe Christmas! I hate it! Goodwill to men! "
She went out, leaving Mrs. Mullen gazing at the kitchen door in amazement.
aoa
WAITING
Rodney stood leaning on his stick and looking out of the Davidson's sitting-room window. Below, the river Don at low tide ran sluggishly between its slimy banks; to the right lay the Salt Grass, a barren stretch of mounds, bordered, in the far distance, by the houses of Jarrow. Of all the dreary views in the world, he thought, this was the worst. Godi if only he could get away from it and never see it again.
Peggy Davidson came into the room, carrying a tray in her hand.
oh, Rodney," she exclaimed, 'why will you stand about? Do sit down and put your leg up ... Peter will be furious with you."
"I loathe your view, Peggy," he said, turning from the window.
"Yes, it is awful, isn't it. But I don't seem to see it any more....
Do sit down, Rodney.... Here; come on." She patted the cushions on a long chair.
"You can live with a thing until you neither see it nor feel it, then?"
"Yes. Yes, I suppose so.... Look here, I'm not going to become involved in one of your arguments at half-past ten in the morning. Sit down and drink this beef-tea. And remember, you induced Peter to let you come downstairs on the solemn promise that you would take things easy for another week or so."
Rodney smiled at her and sat down.
"I wonder what would have happened to me without you and Peter," he said.
"I often wonder that, you know."
"God provides," she answered.
"Oh, Peggy, you sound like an old Irish woman i You're a real Jarrowite, you know. "
"And I'm proud of it too."
Peggy was relieved that his tone, even for a moment, could be bantering. She was worried, and Peter was worried, about him. As much as they loved him, they wished he would go away for a change. Nothing, how ever, would induce him to talk about it. A few months ago, when he had been at breaking point, he had gone to his people, presumably to stay the winter. But he had returned within a fortnight and had just escaped a severe breakdown. Oh, Peggy thought, if only she knew where that fool of a woman was! Why didn't she come back?
Rodney sat thinking. Peggy doesn't see this view be cause she's happy.
Happy 1 . The word plunged him into weariness again, and his mind echoed the persistent cry, "Kate, where are you? Why don't you come back? You must know that you can come back now." Last night he had dreamed the same old dream again. He woke from it sure that she was lying beside him, and lay taking in the peace and ecstacy of her presence for some moments before realisation came, bringing with it its despair. He first experienced the dream after his foot was amputated.
He had only to doze off and Kate would be with him, and he would wake up calling her name.
