Yoked with a Lamb by Molly Clavering

Author:Molly Clavering
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dean Street Press
Published: 2021-03-15T16:00:00+00:00

4

“Well, Andrew, as you’re here, I hope you will drive us home.” Lucy spoke in her most gracious tones, and smiled at him. “Eleanor and I are quite worn out with all this—aren’t you longing for a cup of tea, Eleanor?”

“I should like several,” said Mrs. Heron, who looked remarkably cool and unwearied. “Dear me, Kate, how hot and untidy you are.”

“I know,” said Kate, who had been taken by the indefatigable Henry to watch a wrestling contest, and had only left because she feared that the wrestlers, whose trousers appeared to be supported on their stout forms by faith alone, might become even more undressed at any moment. “But I have really done the Show thoroughly, Mother. If you had been squired by Henry, you’d look every bit as hot as I do!”

“Father! One of them is wearing red flannel underfugs,” said Henry’s stentorian voice. “Long ones, right down to his ankles. You really ought to see ’em. They’re worth a look.”

“No, Henry, we’re going home now, in the car, said Lucy hastily.

Henry’s face became anguished, and Kate realized that he had suddenly remembered Virginia, still, presumably, immured in the Daimler.

“Oh, Mother! Can’t I walk? I’d much rather—”

“Nonsense, Henry. We are all going in the car, or we’ll be late for tea. Come along at once,” said his mother. Then, seeing the look on her youngest son’s face: “What’s the matter, dear? Don’t you feel well?”

It was an exceedingly awkward moment, and Kate felt full of sympathy for the wretched Henry, who, seeing that there was nothing for it but the truth, gulped miserably and stammered: “Well, you see, I’ve—I’ve got a little dog—”

“A dog?” cried Lucy in horror, as if he had claimed ownership of a black mamba. “Where did you find it? Leave it here and its owner will get it.”

“But you don’t understand, Mother. She’s mine.”

“She? Good Heavens, Henry, a bitch? You know perfectly well I won’t have the brute in the house!”

Henry bit his lip, but said nothing, and Kate was wondering if to champion what looked like a lost cause would only make matters worse, when Andrew unexpectedly intervened.

“Well, we can’t stand here arguing about the dog,” he said, his cool tones falling like rain on the general excitement and dismay. “Henry will have to bring it home with him, Lucy. We can decide there what’s to be done with it.”

“Where is the creature, then? You understand, Henry, that I am very angry with you, and that on no account will you be allowed to keep it,” said Lucy.

Henry, as near tears as any boy of fourteen may be, muttered unsteadily: “She’s in a car. That big Daimler over there.”

“Go and fetch it, then,” commanded his mother.

“No, Henry. Wait a bit,” said Andrew, rather pale. “I think if Kate doesn’t mind, she’d better go.”

“Why?” Lucy whirled round. “Why should Kate have to go tramping about on Henry’s errands? Let him go himself.” Then she looked over towards the car, beside which a tall grey-tweed clad figure was now standing, and where Andrew had paled, she flushed an unbecoming bright red.

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