The Nymph and the Lamp by Thomas H Raddall

Author:Thomas H Raddall [Raddall, Thomas H]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC019000, book
ISBN: 9781551098531
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Nimbus
Published: 2011-03-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

On the afternoon before Christmas, Giswell drove up in his buggy, with young Sara on the seat beside him. He thundered on the apartment door and walked in. Matthew lay on the couch smoking and watching Isabel prepare a plum pudding. The smiling little man, reddened by the cold, threw on the kitchen table a pair of chickens, plucked and cleaned. They had frozen on the journey from Number Three and they fell like blocks of wood.

“There’s your Christmas dinner!”

Isabel turned, throwing out floury hands in a gesture of pleasure, and Matthew arose from the couch murmuring thanks.

“How wonderful!” Isabel cried. “I was afraid I’d have to serve tinned meat. Do take off your things and sit down. How’s everything at Number Three?”

Giswell took off his wool cap but remained by the door. “Can’t stay—the pony’s warm from the drive and I don’t want to leave him standing long. Besides, I’ve got to get back. The wind’s come east again and there’s a smell of snow—a blizzard if I know the signs. Family’s well, thank you kindly.”

“Where’s Sara?” Carney said.

“Oh, Sara, she went around to talk to Skane.”

“But Skane’s gone to Main Station for an hour at the piano.”

“Oh? Well she’ll amuse herself with Sargent then. When a gal puts on skirts to drive eight mile on a winter day t’ain’t to talk to folks like you and me.” He addressed Isabel. “Funny thing, Ma’am, ever since you come these wireless fellers seem to stay close to home. Ain’t seen ’em much since fall.”

“Is that a compliment?” she asked dubiously.

“Don’t know a better!” Giswell roared. “Makes a difference havin’ a woman about a place. Once in a long time Miz Giswell she gits a notion to go off on the boat and visit with her relations over on the main. Means she’s gone three-four months and we all git restless as bears, wanderin’ about for somethin’ to do. Once she gits back we hardly want to stir outside the door. Now you take Matt and Skane and Sargent, aforetime they was always walkin’ or ridin’ down to see us at Number Three, or to Number Two or Main Station or West Light; now and again one of ’em would take a notion to ride all the way down east to Number Four, or even East Light. Don’t see ’em doin’ that no more. That’s you, Ma’am, nothin’ else. Why don’t you git Matt or one o’ the others to borrow McBain’s buggy and drive you down to see us, once in a while? Looks like that’s the only way we’ll ever git to see anybody from the wireless station now.”

“I shall,” she promised, “as soon as the weather improves. I’m afraid I’ve got lazy since the cold weather came. I’ve not been outside the door for a month, except to go along the boardwalk to the watch room.”

Giswell grinned. “Ah, you’ll toughen up, Ma’am, by and by. You’ll git so you’ve got to hear the sound of another woman’s voice, and the tellyphone won’t do.

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