fraternity-第41章

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'What　a　hateful　road！'　Thyme　thought。　　'What　dull；　ugly；　common…　looking　faces　all　the　people　seem　to　have　in　London！　as　if　they　didn't　care　for　anything　but　just　to　get　through　their　day　somehow。　I've　only　seen　two　really　pretty　faces！'

The　cab　stopped　before　a　small　tobacconist's　on　the　south　side　of　the　road。

'Have　I　got　to　live　here？'　thought　Thyme。

Through　the　open　door　a　narrow　passage　led　to　a　narrow　staircase　covered　with　oilcloth。　　She　raised　her　bicycle　and　wheeled　it　in。　　A　Jewish…looking　youth　emerging　from　the　shop　accosted　her。

〃Your　gentleman　friend　says　you　are　to　stay　in　your　rooms；　please；　until　he　comes。〃

His　warm　red…brown　eyes　dwelt　on　her　lovingly。　　〃Shall　I　take　your　luggage　up；　miss？〃

〃Thank　you；　I　can　manage。〃

〃It's　the　first　floor；〃　said　the　young　man。

The　little　rooms　which　Thyme　entered　were　stuffy；　clean；　and　neat。　Putting　her　trunk　down　in　her　bedroom；　which　looked　out　on　a　bare　yard；　she　went　into　the　sitting…room　and　threw　the　window　up。　　Down　below　the　cabman　and　tobacconist　were　engaged　in　conversation。　　Thyme　caught　the　expression　on　their　facesa　sort　of　leering　curiosity。

'How　disgusting　and　horrible　men　are！'　she　thought；　moodily　staring　at　the　traffic。　　All　seemed　so　grim；　so　inextricable；　and　vast；　out　there　in　the　grey　heat　and　hurry；　as　though　some　monstrous　devil　were　sporting　with　a　monstrous　ant…heap。　　The　reek　of　petrol　and　of　dung　rose　to　her　nostrils。　　It　was　so　terribly　big　and　hopeless；　it　was　so　ugly！　　'I　shall　never　do　anything；'　thought　Thyme…'nevernever！　　Why　doesn't　Martin　come？'

She　went　into　her　bedroom　and　opened　her　valise。　　With　the　scent　of　lavender　that　came　from　it；　there　sprang　up　a　vision　of　her　white　bedroom　at　home；　and　the　trees　of　the　green　garden　and　the　blackbirds　on　the　grass。

The　sound　of　footsteps　on　the　stairs　brought　her　back　into　the　sitting…room。　　Martin　was　standing　in　the　doorway。

Thyme　ran　towards　him；　but　stopped　abruptly。　　〃I've　come；　you　see。　What　made　you　choose　this　place？〃

〃I'm　next　door　but　two；　and　there's　a　girl　hereone　of　us。　　She'll　show　you　the　ropes。〃

〃Is　she　a　lady？〃

Martin　raised　his　shoulders。　　〃She　is　what　is　called　a　lady；〃　he　said；　〃but　she's　the　right　sort；　all　the　same。　　Nothing　will　stop　her。〃

At　this　proclamation　of　supreme　virtue；　the　look　on　Thyme's　face　was　very　queer。　　'You　don't　trust　me；'　it　seemed　to　say；　'and　you　trust　that　girl。　　You　put　me　here　for　her　to　watch　over　me！。。。'

〃I　'want　to　send　this　telegram；〃　she　said

Martin　read　the　telegram。　　〃You　oughtn't　to　have　funked　telling　your　mother　what　you　meant　to　do。〃

Thyme　crimsoned。　　〃I'm　not　cold…blooded；　like　you。〃

〃This　is　a　big　matter；〃　said　Martin。　　〃I　told　you　that　you　had　no　business　to　come　at　all　if　you　couldn't　look　it　squarely　in　the　face。〃

〃If　you　want　me　to　stay　you　had　better　be　more　decent　to　me；　Martin。〃

〃It　must　be　your　own　affair；〃　said　Martin。

Thyme　stood　at　the　window；　biting　her　lips　to　keep　the　tears　back　from　her　eyes。　　A　very　pleasant　voice　behind　her　said：　〃I　do　think　it's　so　splendid　of　you　to　come！〃

A　girl　in　grey　was　standing　therethin；　delicate；　rather　plain；　with　a　nose　ever　so　little　to　one　side；　lips　faintly　smiling；　and　large；　shining；　greenish　eyes。

〃I　am　Mary　Daunt。　　I　live　above　you。　　Have　you　had　some　tea？〃

In　the　gentle　question　of　this　girl　with　the　faintly　smiling　lips　and　shining　eyes　Thyme　fancied　that　she　detected　mockery。

〃Yes；　thanks。　　I　want　to　be　shown　what　my　work's　to　be；　at　once；　please。〃

The　grey　girl　looked　at　Martin。

〃Oh！　　Won't　to…morrow　do　for　all　that　sort　of　thing？　　I'm　sure　you　must　be　tired。　　Mr。　Stone；　do　make　her　rest！〃

Martin's　glance　seemed　to　say：　'Please　leave　your　femininities！'

〃If　you　mean　business；　your　work　will　be　the　same　as　hers；〃　he　said；　〃you're　not　qualified。　　All　you　can　do　will　be　visiting；　noting　the　state　of　the　houses　and　the　condition　of　the　children。〃

The　girl　in　grey　said　gently：　〃You　see；　we　only　deal　with　sanitation　and　the　children。　　It　seems　hard　on　the　grown　people　and　the　old　to　leave　them　out；　but　there's　sure　to　be　so　much　less　money　than　we　want；　so　that　it　must　all　go　towards　the　future。〃

There　was　a　silence。　　The　girl　with　the　shining　eyes　added　softly：　〃1950！〃

〃1950！〃　repeated　Martin。　　It　seemed　to　be　some　formula　of　faith。

〃I　must　send　this　telegram！〃　muttered　Thyme。

Martin　took　it　from　her　and　went　out。

Left　alone　in　the　little　room；　the　two　girls　did　not　at　first　speak。　The　girl　in　grey　was　watching　Thyme　half　timidly；　as　if　she　could　not　tell　what　to　make　of　this　young　creature　who　looked　so　charming；　and　kept　shooting　such　distrustful　glances。

〃I　think　it's　so　awfully　sweet　of　you　to　come；〃　she　said　at　last。　〃I　know　what　a　good　time　you　have　at　home；　your　cousin's　often　told　me。　　Don't　you　think　he's　splendid？〃

To　that　question　Thyme　made　no　answer。

〃Isn't　this　work　horrid；〃　she　said〃prying　into　people's　houses？〃

The　grey　girl　smiled。　　〃It　is　rather　awful　sometimes。　　I've　been　at　it　six　months　now。　　You　get　used　to　it。　　I've　had　all　the　worst　things　said　to　me　by　now；　I　should　think。〃

Thyme　shuddered。

〃You　see；〃　said　the　grey　girl's　faintly　smiling　lips；　〃you　soon　get　the　feeling　of　having　to　go　through　with　it。　　We　all　realise　it's　got　to　be　done；　of　course。　　Your　cousin's　one　of　the　best　of　us；　nothing　seems　to　put　him　out。　　He　has　such　a　nice　sort　of　scornful　kindness。　I'd　rather　work　with　him　than　anyone。〃

She　looked　past　her　new　associate　into　that　world　outside；　where　the　sky　seemed　all　wires　and　yellow　heat…dust。　　She　did　not　notice　Thyme　appraising　her　from　head　to　foot；　with　a　stare　hostile　and　jealous；　but　pathetic；　too；　as　though　confessing　that　this　girl　was　her　superior。

〃I'm　sure　I　can't　do　that　work！〃　she　said　suddenly。

The　grey　girl　smiled。　　〃Oh；　I　thought　that　at　first。〃　　Then；　with　an　admiring　look：　〃But　I　do　think　it's　rather　a　shame　for　you；　you're　so　pretty。　　Perhaps　they'd　put　you　on　to　tabulation　work；　though　that's　awfully　dull。　　We'll　ask　your　cousin。〃

〃No；　I'll　do　the　whole　or　nothing。〃

〃Well；〃　said　the　grey　girl；　〃I've　got　one　house　left　to…day。　　Would　you　like　to　come　and　see　the　sort　of　thing？〃

She　took　a　small　notebook　from　a　side　pocket　in　her　skirt。

〃I　can't　get　on　without　a　pocket。　　You　must　have　something　that　you　can't　leave　behind。　　I　left　four　little　bags　and　two　dozen　handkerchiefs　in　five　weeks　before　I　came　back　to　pockets。　　It's　rather　a　horrid　house；　I'm　afraid！〃

〃I　shall　be　all　right；〃　said　Thyme　shortly。

In　the　shop　doorway　the　young　tobacconist　was　taking　the　evening　air。　He　greeted　them　with　his　polite　but　constitutionally　leering　smile。

〃Good…evening；　mith；〃　he　said；　〃nithe　evening！〃

〃He's　rather　an　awful　little　man；〃　the　grey　girl　said　when　they　had　achieved　the　crossing　of　the　street；　〃but　he's　got　quite　a　nice　sense　of　humour。〃

〃Ah！〃　said　Thyme。

They　had　turned　into　a　by…street；　and　stopped　before　a　house　which　had　obviously　seen　better　days。　　Its　windows　were　cracked；　its　doors　unpainted；　and　down　in　the　basement　could　be　seen　a　pile　of　rags；　an　evil…looking　man　seated　by　it；　and　a　blazing　fire。　　Thyme　felt　a　little　gulping　sensation。　　There　was　a　putrid　scent　as　of　burning　refuse。　　She　looked　at　her　companion。　　The　grey　girl　was　consulting　her　notebook；　with　a　faint　smile　on　her　lips。　　And　in　Thyme's　heart　rose　a　feeling　almost　of　hatred　for　this　girl；　who　was　so　business…　like　in　the　presence　of　such　sights　and　scents。

The　door　was　opened　by　a　young　red…faced　woman；　who　looked　as　if　she　had　been　asleep。

The　grey　girl　screwed　up　her　shining　eyes。　　〃Oh；　do　you　mind　if　we　come　in　a　minute？〃　　she　said。　　〃It　would　be　so　good　of　you。　　We're　making　a　report。〃

〃There's　nothing　to　report　here；〃　the　young　woman　answered。　　But　the　grey　girl　had　slipped　as　gently　past　as　though　she　had　been　the　very　spirit　of　adventure。

〃Of　course；　I　see　that；　but　just　as　a　matter　of　form；　you　know。〃

〃I've　parted　with　most　of　my　things；〃　the　young　woman　said　defensively；　〃since　my　husband　died。　　It's　a　hard　life。〃

〃Yes；　yes；　but　not　worse　than　minealways　poking　my　nose　into　other　people's　houses。〃

The　young　woman　was　silent；　evidently　surprised。

〃The　landlord　ought　to　keep　you　in　better　repair；〃　said　the　grey　girl。　　〃He　owns　next　door；　too；　doesn't　he？〃

The　young　woman　nodded。　　〃He's　a　bad　landlord。　　All　down　the　street　'ere　it's　the　same。　　Can't　get　nothing　done。〃

The　grey　girl　had　gone　over　to　a　dirty　bassinette　where　a　half…naked　child　sprawled。　　An　ugly　little　girl　with　fat　red　cheeks　was　sitting　on　a　stool　beside　it；　close　to　an　open　locker　wherein　could　be　seen　a　number　of　old　meat　bones。'

〃Your　chickabiddies？〃　　said　the　grey　girl。　　〃Aren't　they　sweet？〃

The　young　woman's　face　became　illumined　by　a　smile。

〃They're　healthy；〃　she　said。

〃That's　more　than　can　be　said　for　all　the　children　in　the　house；　I　expect；〃　murmured　the　grey　girl。

The　young　woman　replied　emphatically；　as　though　voicing　an　old　grievance：　〃The　three　on　the　first　floor's　not　so　bad；　but　I　don't　let　'em　'ave　anything　to　do　with　that　lot　at　the　top。〃

Thyme　saw　her　new　friend's　hand　hover　over　the　child's　head　like　some　pale　dove。　　In　answer　to　that　gesture；　the　mother　nodded。　　〃Just　that；　you've　got　to　clean　'em　every　time　they　go　near　them　children　at　the　top。〃

The　grey　girl　looked　at　Thyme。　　'That's　where　we've　got　to　go；　evidently；'　she　seemed　to　say。

〃A　dirty　lot！〃　muttered　the　young　woman。

〃It's　very　hard　on　you。〃

〃It　is。　　I'm　workin'　at　the　laundry　all　day　when　I　can　get　it。　　I　can't　look　after　the　childrenthey　get　everywhere。〃

〃Very　hard；〃　murmured　the　grey　girl。　　〃I'll　make　a　note　of　that。〃

Together　with　the　little　book；　in　which　she　was　writing　furiously；　she　had　pulled　out　her　handkerchief；　and　the　sight　of　this　handkerchief　reposing　on　the　floor　gave　Thyme　a　queer　satisfaction；　such　as　comes　when　one　remarks　in　superior　people　the　absence　of　a　virtue　existing　in　oneself。

〃Well；　we　mustn't　keep　you；　Mrs。Mrs。　？〃

〃Cleary。〃

〃Cleary。　　How　old's　this　little　one？　　Four？　　And　the　other？　　Two？　They　are　ducks。　　Good…bye！〃

In　the　corridor　outside　the　grey　girl　whispered：　〃I　do　like　the　way　we　all　pride　ourselves　on　being　better　than　someone　else。　　I　think　it's　so　hopeful　and　jolly。　　Shall　we　go　up　and　see　the　abyss　at　the　top？〃




CHAPTER　XXXV

A　YOUNG　GIRL'S　MIND

A　young　girl's　mind　is　like　a　wood　in　Springnow　a　rising　mist　of　bluebells　and　flakes　of　dappled　sunlight；　now　a　world　of　still；　wan；　tender　saplings；　weeping　they　know　not　why。　　Through　the　curling　twigs　of　boughs　just　green；　its　wings　fly　towards　the　stars；　but　the　next　moment　they　have　drooped　to　mope　beneath　the　damp　bushes。　　It　is　ever　yearning　for　and　trembling　at　the　future；　in　its　secret　places　all　the　countless　shapes　of　things　that　are　to　be　are　taking　stealthy　counsel　of　how　to　grow　up　without　letting　their　gown　of　mystery　fall。　They　rustle；　whisper；　shriek　suddenly；　and　as　suddenly　fall　into　a　delicious　silence。　　From　the　first　hazel…bush　to　the　last　may…tree　it　is　an　unending　meeting…place　of　young　solemn　things　eager　to　find　out　what　they　are；　eager　to　rush　forth　to　greet　the　kisses　of　the　wind　and　sun；　and　for　ever　trembling　back　and　hiding　their　faces。　　The　spirit　of　th