A Solitary War by Henry Williamson

Author:Henry Williamson [Henry Williamson]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780571279715
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Published: 2011-12-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

CHRISTMAS CAROL

The door of No. 2, The Glade was opened slightly, and Phillip saw against the light the outline of a small figure wearing oversize rubber boots projecting above its kneecaps. On its head was a cocked hat like a miniature Napoleon’s. When it saw who was there its eyes opened wide and its face went pale. At the same moment another small figure running down the stairs froze to stillness and its mouth opened for an instant; then it was yelling in a hoarse, crow-like voice, “Cor, Dad’s come! And Billy! And Roz!” Then the figure began to roll on the floor.

The miniature Napoleon, standing by the open door, went red in the face with smiles and then exploded with an imitative, “Cor Dad’s come! And Billy! And Roz!” And Jonathan joined David on the floor.

At this two shadows were thrown in the open doorway of the dining-room and Lucy and Tim stood there.

“Well, well, well,” said Tim. He added, after a pause, “It’s good to see you.”

Lucy only stared at them, perplexity on her face. Phillip was cold. The journey in the last hour of darkness, fearful of fog in frost, had been tedious. He thought to return right away.

“I was passing, and brought the children to you for Christmas, with some corn and potatoes, and also a turkey. I’ll unload them and then I must be getting back before the engine freezes.”

“Oh, no,” said Tim, promptly. “You can’t do that. We’ll fix you up.”

“If only you’d told me you were coming,” said Lucy.

“I wrote three days ago.”

“I didn’t get the letter.”

“I’m so sorry. I meant to telegraph too, but things were a bit of a rush. In any case, I really must go back—I must finish my book.”

“Well, I expect we can manage somehow or other to fix you all up,” said Lucy slowly. “Only it’s a bit of a shock,” she added. “You see, there simply aren’t enough blankets, and the beds aren’t aired.”

“I brought four blankets and two sleeping bags. I’ve got your chair, by the way, and some other things I thought you might care to have. But really the journey does not take very long, and I am used to driving in the black-out.”

“Oh, we’ll manage,” said Lucy. “You see, if I’d known, I’d have had it all nice and ready for you. I don’t like you to see it unprepared.”

“I am afraid that I always seem to arrive without notice,” said Phillip. “I wonder what happens to my letters? Several haven’t arrived, apparently. Perhaps they’re held back by the censor.”

“Well, the chief thing is you are here,” said Tim. “I’m sure, my dear Phil, you’d like some tea. We were just going to have some. You look cold. Come in, by the fire. Drop the coats anywhere—I’ll hang them up later. Actually, you’ve come precisely at the right moment for tea. I’ve only just got home from the works, as a matter of fact.”

The fire was warm. Phillip was glad to sit by it, and drink a new flavour of tea, and eat a lightly boiled egg with toast.

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