Theres some of ushere that feels things are pretty
shaky, you know.
Whereas Jack seemed strong andinsensitive in the
body, only his face vulnerable.
Buthe was as unaware of them, actually, as if they
did not exist within hisken. How should I have felt for you as I did, thevery first
minute I saw you, if it hadnt been so.
Victoria came round and sat talking, telling of her
home on the southcoast.
The man is trying to draw me, to fool me, he said
to himself.
The worlds been goingto the dogs ever since it
started to toddle, apparently. Lovat took the slight rebuff withouttroubling. Then
he bent back the two murderoussprings, and the traps were ready. This is fate, he
said, and well follow it up. He went round to the back door and knocked sharply,
once, twice, ina peculiar way.
And you know what it means to HAVE them thrown back
inyour face.
I feel Ineed a special eye at the end of my nose,
to keep track of her.
Youve found a second home over there, apparently,
said Jack,advancing towards the fence. The battle was against rats, fleas, and
dirt.
Somers, wont you come and have a drink with
Jack?
But neither Jack nor Victoriawanted them to
go.
I knew, he said in a broken voice, that we
wasmates. Somersheard him go again in about ten minutes. And this country is as good
as bankrupt, so then what have theyleft to stand on?
That means a pound of chocolates, said Victoria,
like a greedy child.
Oh, Jack, do sing the alto, said
Victoria.
So that they were still hailing the LarboardWatch
Ahoy when the clock struck eleven.
They weregetting used to one another: and they
liked one another, in a separatedsort of way. And very shortly Somers heard a
gorgeous uproar in Wyewurk.
We were six ofus all at home together, and it makes
such a difference, being allalone.
Im sure I dont know, said Somers, Probably nothing
at all.
Or luckier still, to have the money so that we dont
need a job,returned Jack.
Then after a time Jack put his hands into his lap,
and looked up atSomers. Even if I SEEM to, said Somers, ironically.
They applauded like anything, and made you give
anencore. Dont leaveyour shirt-tail hanging out, with a theoretically.