The Forsyte Saga, Volume 3(217)
‘Don’t I?’ said Fleur. ‘The curries used to be good, though.’
‘Not on the return voyage. I never want to see a curry again. How’s the Round Table Conference going?’
‘Plodding on. Is Ceylon interested in India?’
‘Not very. Is Michael?’
‘We both are.’
Clare’s brows went up with delightful suddenness.
‘But you can’t know anything about it.’
‘I was in India, you know, and at one time I saw a lot of Indian students.’
‘Oh! yes, students. That’s the trouble. They’re so advanced and the people are so backward.’
‘If Clare’s to see Kit and Kat before we start,’ said Dinny, ‘we ought to go up, Fleur.’
The visit to the nurseries over, the sisters resumed their seats in the car.
‘Fleur always strikes me,’ said Clare, ‘as knowing so exactly what she wants.’
‘She gets it, as a rule; but there’ve been exceptions. I’ve always doubted whether she really wanted Michael.’
‘D’you mean a love affair went wrong?’
Dinny nodded. Clare looked out of the window.
‘Well, she’s not remarkable in that.’
Her sister did not answer.
‘Trains,’ Dinny said, in their empty third-class compartment, ‘always have great open spaces now.’
‘I rather dread seeing Mother and Dad, Dinny, having made such an almighty bloomer. I really must get something to do.’
‘Yes, you won’t be happy at Condaford for long.’
‘It isn’t that. I want to prove that I’m not the complete idiot. I wonder if I could run an hotel. English hotels are still pretty backward.’
‘Good idea. It’s strenuous, and you’d see lots of people.’
‘Is that caustic?’
‘No, darling, just common sense; you never liked being buried.’
‘How does one go to work to get such a thing?’
‘You have me there. But now’s the time if ever, nobody’s going to be able to travel. But I’m afraid there’s a technical side to managing hotels that has to be learned. Your title might help.’
‘I shouldn’t use his name. I should call myself Mrs Clare.’
‘I see. Are you sure it wouldn’t be wise to tell me more about things?’
Clare sat silent for a little, then said suddenly: ‘He’s a sadist.’
Looking at her flushed face, Dinny said: ‘I’ve never understood exactly what that means.’
‘Seeking sensation, and getting more sensation when you hurt the person you get it from. A wife is most convenient.’
‘Oh! darling!’
‘There was a lot first, my riding whip was only the last straw.’
‘You don’t mean – !’ cried Dinny, horrified.
‘Oh! yes.’
Dinny came over to her side and put her arms round her.
‘But, Clare, you must get free!’
‘And how? My word against his. Besides, who would make a show of beastliness? You’re the only person I could ever ever speak to of it.’
Dinny got up and let down the window. Her face was as flushed as her sister’s. She heard Clare say dully:
‘I came away the first moment I could. It’s none of it fit for publication. You see, ordinary passion palls after a bit, and it’s a hot climate.’
‘Oh! heaven!’ said Dinny, and sat down again opposite.
‘My own fault. I always knew it was thin ice, and I’ve popped through, that’s all.’
‘But, darling, at twenty-four you simply can’t stay married and not married.’
‘I don’t see why not; mariage manqué is very steadying to the blood. All I’m worrying about is getting a job. I’m not going to be a drag on Dad. Is his head above water, Dinny?’
‘Not quite. We were breaking even, but this last taxation will just duck us. The trouble is how to get on without reducing staff. Everyone’s in the same boat. I always feel that we and the village are one. We’ve got to sink or swim together, and somehow or other we’re going to swim. Hence my bakery scheme.’
‘If I haven’t got another job, could I do the delivering? suppose we’ve still got the old car.’
‘Darling, you can help any way you like. But it all has to be started. That’ll take till after Christmas. In the meantime there’s the election.’
‘Who is our candidate?’
‘His name is Dornford – a new man, quite decent.’
‘Will he want canvassers?’
‘Rather!’
‘All right. That’ll be something to do for a start. Is this National Government any use?’