Time for Silence

“Oh, obviously. I’m not complaining.”

“Nor I. I think they have been busy shopping. They are always like that when they come to London.”

“They would like to have a place up here, but since your parents give us shelter, I suppose they think it is not essential. And my father is against it.”

“But I suppose he would give way.”

“I suppose so. This has been a wonderful leave.”

“I hope you are not going to mind going back to that awful riding instructor too much.”

“What I am going to mind is leaving you.”

“Oh, Robert…I do hate your going.”

He took my hand and pressed it. “Write to me, Lucinda.”

“Of course.”

“And tell me everything that’s happening.”

“I will…and you, too.”

“I expect our letters will be censored.”

“I don’t want to hear war news. I want to hear your news.”

He laughed. “There’ll be another leave and then I should get my commission.”

“And that could mean going right away.”

“I suppose so.”

“Perhaps it will be over by then.”

“Who knows? Lucinda, you seem quite a bit older these days. I mean, more than your years.”

“Do I? I think it must be because of what happened. That sort of thing jerks you out of your childhood.”

“Fifteen. Then you’ll be sixteen. Sixteen would be quite mature.”

“You make me feel like some old crone.”

“Oh, no. I just wish you were a little nearer to my age, that’s all.”

“If I had been, you might not have been the nice big brother to me that you have been all my life.”

“That’s just it.”

“What?”

“Grow up quickly, Lucinda, there’s a good girl.”

“I promise to do all I can about the matter.”

He turned to me and kissed my cheek. “It is lovely to be with you,” he said. “We understand each other.”

“Yes. I think we do. I shall be very sad when you go back tomorrow, Robert.”

“Let’s plan for my next leave then.”

“What a good idea! And in the meantime I’ll see what I can do to speed up the growing process.”

“Just do that,” he said.

And after that we walked back to the house. We were both a little quieter than usual.

We all went to the station to see Robert off. Aunt Belinda and Annabelinda were staying a few more days.

I was surprised and more than a little shocked that Annabelinda showed no interest whatsoever in Edward; and if he were referred to, a mask would come over her face and she would affect indifference. I was sure she could not feel this but she gave the impression that she was annoyed with me for bringing him to England. She would have preferred he had remained in Belgium, conveniently out of the way.

I suppose her point was logical enough. That was an episode in her life that she wanted to forget, and my action had brought the result of it right out into the open to remind her whenever she visited us.

But it seemed to me inhuman that a woman should have no interest in, no curiosity about her own son.

She was full of high spirits and seemed to have forgiven me for not telling her that the dinner for Marcus Merrivale had had to be changed to a different date.

She came to my room to have a little chat now and then, away from everyone. We talked about school and what might be happening to Madame Rochère.

“I am sure she will be directing the army of occupation,” said Annabelinda.

“Poor Madame Rochère, I hardly think it will be like that.”

“You can’t imagine Rochy knuckling under to anyone, can you?”

“In these circumstances, yes.”

“I can’t help thinking how neatly it all worked out. That was due to the incomparable major. You haven’t heard anything of him, have you?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

“You were a bit secretive about him once. I just wondered.”

“I’m not secretive at all. I did not know when I wrote to you. I suppose he is now somewhere in France…or Belgium.”

“I thought perhaps that, as he is in the same regiment as your uncle, you might know.”

“I don’t know where Uncle Gerald is. This is war. There are lots of things which have to be kept secret.”

“I know that. We’re not allowed to forget it, are we? I expect he is having a jolly time.”

“I should imagine it is not so very jolly out there.”

“He would always have a good time. He was such fun to be with. You and Robert get on very well, don’t you?”

“Yes. You know we always did.”

“He’s a good sort, Robert. You and he are just right for each other.”

“What do you mean?”

She laughed scornfully. “You know what I mean. I think the families have always had it in mind. It’s what they want.”

“You mean…?”

“Of course, you idiot. Wedding bells and all that. If you were a year or two older, he would have asked you by now. I should have thought that was obvious.”

“It wasn’t obvious at all. I’ve always liked Robert. We’ve always been good friends.”

“The best basis for marriage, they say. You like him, don’t you? Wouldn’t it be fun to be sisters-in-law? It’s what they all want, you know.”

“I don’t believe my parents give a thought to all that. As for you, Annabelinda, I think you should concern yourself with your affairs and leave mine to me.”