I'll Never Marry! (6 page)

H
e stood on the hearth,-rug, his big figure dwarfing the little room; and the expression on his sunburned face as he met her eyes was thunderous.

CHAPTER FOUR

She did not
have to wait long for an explanation of his wrath. After a curt
“
Good morning,
”
he went on at once, fixing her with his blue, angry eyes:
“
Miss Emberley, this is really too bad. I asked you particularly to be sure that those children went to the hay-field by way of that grazing meadow. Instead they went by a roundabout route, trampling through a field of high grass just ready to be cut and—what is a far worse crime—forcing their way through a small gap in a hedge with such thoroughness that the hole is big enough now to let a herd of cows through.
”

Catherine went white with dismay.
“
This is news to me,
”
she began.

“
Well, I hope you
’
ll regard it as serious news,
”
he retorted.
“
Perhaps you don
’
t realize it, but mending hedges isn
’
t like darning socks: hedging is a slow, expensive and very intricate operation. And to have to have it done at this time of year, when every available pair of hands is needed for hay-making is simply maddening.
”

“
I am most awfully sorry.
”
The sincerity in Catherine
’
s tone was unmistakable. But too annoyed to notice, or to care
,
he continued angrily:
“
Sheer, wanton damage, that
’
s what it is. They saw the gate was padlocked and smothered with barbed wire, and instead of taking the hint, and keeping out, they must needs break down the hedge.
”

“
I couldn
’
t go with them myself.
”
Once again Catherine tried to get in a word.

“
Apparently not. I happened to see you in Great Garsford that particular afternoon. However, as you were the one invited—and the one who undertook to take the children the way I pointed out—I am afraid you cannot evade the responsibility.
”

She colored up at this. But understanding very well the just nature of his grievance, and prevented by loyalty to a colleague from explaining that Hilda had received the fullest instructions as to the route to be taken, she merely said steadily:
“
I can
’
t apologize enough for what has happened. The matter will have to be reported to Matron, of course, and the question of payment for the damage taken up with you.
”

For a moment he seemed taken aback by the quiet dignity with which she spoke. But almost at once he exclaimed impatiently:
“
I
’
ve not come here to get money out of anyone, but to give you my considered opinion of the way these children of yours are allowed to behave. What is more, considering that the last time I invited them over they left a gate open and let a dozen or so bullocks get into a field of young oats, you will understand that I definitely refuse to have them on my land any more, apart from the public footpaths.
”

“
That
’
s news to me as well,
”
Catherine said, with an access of dismay.

“
Well, I told Miss Dewney at the time what I thought of her
over that
episode,
”
he declared.
“
And I can tell you this, that if I
’
d known there was any likelihood of her bringing the children across on Saturday, I should not have issued my invitation.
”
He hesitated, continuing shortly:
“
I thought, mistakenly, I see, that they had a sensible girl here now who understood that farming is a serious business, not a frivolous pastime.
”

Her color deepened at this sharp and wholly unmerited reproof, but she met it in silence, and with a brusque
“
Good morning,
”
he went on his way.

She returned to her wash tub with feelings of extreme indignation, though whether she was angrier with Andrew or with Hilda she could hardly have said. Strenuous rubbing and wringing proved potent, however, in working off the worst of her wrath, and when Hilda came in with the morning
’
s shopping she managed to refrain from broaching the subject to her. Much better, she decided, to postpone discussion until after dinner when they could talk in peace without the risk of saucepans catching or boiling over, or children bouncing in upon them.

At last, when the bigger children were trudging back to school, and the smaller ones resting, and she and Hilda were sitting out by the back door enjoying their after-dinner cup of tea, she took the plunge and told the other girl of Andrew
’
s visit, and of his complaint.

She had expected Hilda to show signs of something approaching consternation, for it was she, ultimately, on whom the responsibility for the damage must rest. But to her surprise Hilda
’
s only reaction seemed to be resentment tinged with impatience.

“
I ought to have warned you never to accept any invitations for the children which come from Mr. Playdle,
”
Hilda exclaimed crossly.
“
He has a perfect genius for finding something to grumble at. He would, of course, being a farmer; everyone knows what grousers they are.
”

“
But what happened, Hilda? Why didn
’
t you take the children the way I told you?
”
Catherine wanted to know.
“
I explained that Mr. Playdle wished them to go straight through that field where the heifers were, and anyway it would have been much the shortest route.
”

Hilda flushed slightly, and tossed her ginger head.

“
If Mr. Playdle imagines I
’
m going to take a pack of nervous children through a herd of cows, he
’
s very much mistaken,
”
she snapped.
“
What
’
s more I believe there was a bull among them. I heard one of the children—Ruth, I think it was—whispering something about one.
”

Remembering the children
’
s fits of giggles about Miss Dewney
’
s dislike of cows Catherine, sternly repressing a slight quiver of the lips, decided that she would have something to say to Miss Ruth later.

“
The children are no more nervous of cows than they are of cats,
”
she said shortly.
“
In any case there was nothing but a bunch of young heifers in
that field. As for a bull
—
!
”
Then, seeing Hilda
’
s
eyes flash,
s
he
w
ent on hurriedly, and in a more pacific manner:
“
The main point is the damage to a hedge. Did the children really scramble through a gap? If so, it was very naughty of them. They know better than that, after all this time in the country.
”

“
They did as they were told.
”
It was with difficulty that Hilda was keeping her temper in check.
“
Some of them tried to argue about it, but I
’
m not like you; they have to be obedient when they are put with me. There was plenty of room for them to squeeze through, and if they broke a few twigs and branches here and there, what did it matter?
”

“
A thing like that does matter,
”
Catherine insisted.
“
If you had lived all your life in the country, as I have, instead of in a town, you
’
d know that!
”

“
You country bumpkins lead such narrow little lives you think far too much of trifles,
”
was Hilda
’
s retort, as she got up from her chair.
“
Personally I refuse to take the matter seriously; I shan
’
t give it another thought.
”

“
If that was the attitude you took o
v
er Mr. Playdle
’
s former complaint, I don
’
t wonder he
’
s furious now.
”
Catherine, too, got up, and her heart was beating fast.
“
I shall have to report his visit to Matron, of course; but beyond that, the thing is no concern of mine
.
”

“
You are going to tell Matron?
”
Hilda stared at her incredulously.

“
Of course I must,
”
Catherine returned crisply.
“
It was an official c
o
mplaint, made to me as the person supposedly responsible, and we shall certainly have to offer to pay for the damage.
”

“
If Mr. Playdle is in need of half a crown, I
’
ll send it to him,
”
Hilda exclaimed contemptuously.

“
It won
’
t be a question of half a crown, nor yet half a guinea,
”
Catherine told her darkly.
“
Anyway, what about coming along with me to Matron now, and explaining the whole thing to her?
”

“
Sheer waste of time, as Matron will probably tell you,
”
Hilda grumbled.
“
She hates being bothered about trifles.
”

Realizing that nothing she could say would impress Hilda with the seriousness of the business, Catherine relapsed into silence, and the two girls made their way together to Matron
’
s office, and found her surrounded, as usual, with a pile of mending.

“
You had better let me do the talking,
”
Hilda had said outside the door, and once inside the room she sat down and gave Matron her account of the whole matter—an account perfectly straightforward, but biased by her obvious certainty that Andrew was making a fuss over nothing because he was
“
that sort of man.
”

Matron listened quietly, then after a few brief questions to both girls, she turned to Catherine.
“
You had no alternative but to report Mr. Playdle
’
s complaint,
”
she said steadily.
“
I shall take it up with him at once. Now I won
’
t keep you any longer; but perhaps Hilda will stay a few minutes, and go through some accounts with me.
”

Her matter-of-fact and pleasant manner took any sting out of this rather abrupt dismissal, and Catherine came away feeling that if anyone could smooth Andrew down, and settle the whole tiresome business satisfactorily, it would be Matron. She was generous enough, too, to rejoice whole-heartedly that the older woman had not found fault with Hilda in her presence. She would have something to say to her no doubt when she had her to herself; but a quiet and dignified reproof, given in private, was a very different matter from scolding anyone in front of a colleague.

She was not surprised, however, that Hilda came away from that interview flushed, and with her head in the air. Like most people capable in their own line, she did not take kindly to criticism, and she had, besides, the quick temper that went with her flaming hair.

“
It won
’
t be long before she calms down, and sees that Matron was right,
”
Catherine thought philosophically, and resolved to behave as though nothing had happened. And by evening; it seemed as though her unruffled amiability was beginning to take effect. But unfortunately Geoffrey Barbin looked in after supper, and managed to upset the apple-cart altogether.

The mai
n
purpose of his call was to mention that some of the senior children from the school were coming to his holding the next two or three evenings to help with fruit-picking, and to ask if any of the
“
bigger kids
”
from the Home would like to join in, and earn a little extra pocket-money, too.

“
If I know anything about my children, they
’
ll be glad to d
o
it for nothing,
”
Matron began, with that smile which so irradiated her weather-beaten and almost homely features.
“
They
’
re always
wish
ing
they could make up to you in some way for all the presents you bring them—strawberries, and goodness knows what else.
”

Geoffrey shook his fair, untidy head.
“
O
h, no! I pay all the children the same money—the regular rates and a bit over for luck. I can
’
t take more than three of your youngsters, though, and if it suits you, I
’
d suggest the three eldest.
”

Matron nodded, and went off to spread the good news, and Geoffrey turned to Catherine, who was clearing the supper table.

“
Miss Emberley,
”
he said, with shy friendliness,
“
I
’
ve been wondering if your home village, Hilliton, is anywhere near a little place called Fanbridge?
”

Catherine
’
s face lit up.
“
But, of course! I know it quite well. It
’
s only a few miles away.
”

“
Then maybe you know my uncle,
”
Geoffrey went on, warming up a little.
“
His name is Felde, and he
’
s a blacksmith.
”

“
I should say so.
”
There was no
’
mistaking the interest and enthusiasm in Catherine
’
s voice.
“
He
’
s known for miles and miles around—in fact, all over the country—for his wrought-iron work. His father was a wonderful, craftsman, too. Dad is always talking about
‘
the Felde tradition
’
.
”

Geoffrey beamed.
“
I thought perhaps you
’
d have heard of the family.
”

“
Oh, but I know your uncle personally,
”
Catherine assured him.
“
He
’
s not only an artist in iron— he can do more with a car than anyone I
’
ve ever
met. Why, our old Morris
—”

And then Hilda, who had been bustling round the cosy kitchen, trying not to look offended at being left out of the conversation, could contain herself no longer.

“
Excuse my interrupting you, Catherine,
”
she said coldly,
“
but if you don
’
t get the breakfast porridge on now, you
’
re sure to forget it. You know what ages it takes, on top of the boiler.
”

“
There now, I
’
m holding everything up.
”
Geoffrey, good-humored as ever, moved towards the. door. But at the threshold he paused and, with the idea of obliterating Hilda
’
s obvious feeling of being left out, he asked her pleasantly how Saturday
’
s picnic had gone off.

“
Picnic! It
’
s the last time I take any of our children over to the Playdle
’
s, I can tell you.
”
Geoffrey
’
s innocent question had stirred up the embers of Hilda
’
s resentment, and her tone was furious.
“
Characteristically, Mr. Playdle had to come over here with a complaint about the children
’
s behavior—all because they got through a gap in the hedge, and broke a few bits of branches.
”

Geoffrey’
s
expression altered at once.

“
If they
’
ve really damaged a hedge, I don
’
t wonder Mr. Playdle is wild,
”
he observed crisply.
“
They ought to know better th
an
that. Still, I bet you
’
ve scolded them well, for all your sticking-up for them, and that it won
’
t happen again.
”
And with a quick
“
Goodnight
”
to both girls, he went off, oblivious, apparently—though Catherine was not quite certain on this point—of the inappropriateness of his final remark and of the anger with which Hilda received it.