The Soul of Kindness by Elizabeth Taylor

Author:Elizabeth Taylor [Taylor, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Classics, .ISBNincl
ISBN: 9780748125302
Publisher: Virago Press (UK)
Published: 1964-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Flora’s daughter was born under the sign of Aquarius – a little earlier than was expected. Richard had to take Flora to the nursing-home suddenly. That evening, there was a dinner party for Geoffrey and Elinor Pringle, Meg and Kit. After dinner Flora went upstairs with Meg and Elinor and stayed there. Meg came hastening down to speak to Richard.

Flora had quite thought she had time to fit in this little party and had almost done so. Pouring out the coffee had defeated her, and Elinor did so while Meg was packing a small suitcase.

Flora came downstairs, wearing her fur coat, trying to look unconcerned. ‘Please stay,’ she said. ‘Richard will be back in a moment. I’m very sorry about it. Kit darling, will you see to the brandy?’

He went to the sofa table where the tray was, not able to look at her, filled with jealous agitation. She was on her way to this alien experience; nothing would be the same afterward; separation was in the air. He wished that she would go, before he had to begin pouring out drinks with his shaking hands.

The childless Elinor, having seen to the coffee, leaned back, as if this interruption were of no interest to her. Her husband stood up straight, his hands spread on his chest, his deep eyes very alert. He always looked as if he had spent boyhood and adult life out-of-doors, climbing mountains, tramping moors. His clothes were tweed and baggy, proper camouflage in the country, but not at all in St John’s Wood, or the House of Commons. He was the kind of Englishman one notices so much abroad.

‘If there is anything we can do,’ he said. ‘Have you plenty to read?’

Flora hadn’t thought of that, and picked up Vogue.

‘Goodbye,’ she began, her face suddenly whitening, then growing rosy again. ‘Please forgive me.’

‘Fare thee well,’ Geoffrey said, giving her a smiling look of encouragement.

‘Thank you for the delicious dinner,’ said Elinor, lest they should lose sight of why they were there.

In the hall, Mrs Lodge embraced Flora, but could not speak. She watched them drive away, then quietly closed the front door.

‘Well, well,’ said Elinor, glancing round the room. Her voice was both amused and disapproving.

‘Cutting it a bit fine,’ said Geoffrey.

It was for my sake, Kit thought, trying to carry a glass of brandy to Elinor without slopping it.

It was only a few days earlier that Flora had come to Richard in a state of great excitement. ‘Darling, the most wonderful thing! I saw Elinor Pringle in the coffee shop, and she says Geoffrey’s written a play and it’s going on in London.’

‘Yes, I know.’

‘You know?’

‘I saw Elinor, too.’

‘You didn’t say.’

‘I often see her, going up and down the hill.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me? There’s so little time left. We must ask them to dinner straight away, the first evening they can manage. There might very well be something in the play for Kit. I’m sure Geoffrey would put in a word for him.’

On

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