Night Lamp by Jack Vance

Author:Jack Vance [Vance, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

6

Jaro drove the Fath’s old runabout back along Katzvold Road, arriving at Merriehew House just as the sun sank behind the low hills to the west. He entered the house and stood for a moment in the hall. He felt restless and irresolute. Too many things had happened, or were about to happen or might happen; there was imminence in the air, and Jaro felt uneasy. He decided that he was hungry and went into the kitchen. He consulted the larder, wondering what to feed himself. Soup might be nice, along with bread and cheese, and a salad. He brought a carton from the pantry, then halted, listening. The sound of light footsteps running across the porch. A moment later the chime sounded. Jaro went to the door and opened it, to find Lyssel Bynnoc smiling up at him. Jaro stared, nonplussed; of all the persons he knew, here was the one he least expected.

Lyssel spoke, with a gay lilt: “May I come in, Sir Orphan?”

Jaro hesitated, looking her up and down. He stepped aside, and Lyssel, turning him a saucy side-glance, moved past him into the house. She was using her most beguiling mannerisms, which suggested to Jaro that she had some practical purpose in view.

Jaro thoughtfully closed the door and turned to look after her. Today she wore dusky-white pantaloons, tight at the hips, loose at the ankles and a pink blouse. Her hair was gathered into a tuft, tied with a pink ribbon.

Jaro asked formally: “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

Lyssel gave her hand a jaunty wave. “Oh—a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Also a dollop of curiosity, to see how you are managing your very own, very private, life.” Jaro studied her, as if she were a strange being from a far world. Lyssel protested, laughingly: “Jaro! Why do you look at me like that? Am I so startling? Or am I too plain for your taste?”

Jaro shook his head in bemusement. “Really, Lyssel! What do you expect? The last time I saw you was months ago. You gave me the leper treatment and were extremely supercilious. So now you come frolicking into my house, blithe as a tumble-bug, and I can only guess at your intentions.”

Lyssel grimaced, pursing her lips, wrinkling her nose. “Jaro! I’m surprised at you!”

“Oh? How so?”

“I’ve always considered you debonair, but now you glower at me and keep me standing in the cold hall. Wouldn’t it be nicer if you escorted me into the parlor, where I see a fire in the fireplace?”

“Oh, very well. Come along.” Jaro allowed Lyssel to precede him, and she at once went to warm herself at the fire.

“It’s a bit bleak in here,” said Jaro. “I’ve removed most of the old furniture. I’ll bring in some new pieces, if I stay on.”

“So—you’ve decided to live here? Or will you sell?”

“Nothing is certain yet.”

“My advice would be to sell—probably to my Uncle Forby. He’d give you far and away the best price.

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