When I Was Otherwise by Stephen Benatar Read Free Book Online

did.

7
    â€œOh, Daisy, how could you? How could you? You really are the limit. You’re quite impossible.”
    â€œImpossible? Why? What have I done?” She busily adjusted the tiny lever on her hearing aid. “Wait a minute, wait a minute! You don’t want to waste your sweetness on the desert air.”
    â€œHonestly!” Marsha appealed to Dan. She’d been in the midst of clearing away the supper things; her brother and sister-in-law were still at table. “Can’t you say something?”
    â€œI must admit, Daisy, I think it isn’t very considerate of you. To suddenly spring it on poor Marsha like this.”
    â€œDear heaven,” said Daisy, “it’s only Friday night. They won’t be here till Sunday. How much notice does she need ? Six months and a printed invitation? And I thought this was my home. Aren’t I free, then, to ask my friends to come and see me in it?”
    â€œOf course you are, Daisy. Of course this is your home. But at the same time perhaps—”
    â€œYou know I always do the weekend’s shopping on a Friday.”
    â€œWhat was that?”
    â€œI always do the weekend’s shopping on a Friday!”
    â€œI’m only surprised you don’t do it on a Monday and have done with it! Then you’d have all day Sunday to plan for it and write out your shopping list!”
    â€œWell, I tell you, I just couldn’t bear to live my life in the muddle you live yours!”
    After a moment, however, Marsha spread her hands and spoke in a lower register.
    â€œBesides—you don’t even know what they like to eat. Does this man from Persia eat normal food, for instance? I don’t suppose it even occurred to you to ask.”
    She didn’t wait for an answer.
    â€œAnd how do you imagine we’re going to sit five extra people around this table? It takes six at the outside.”
    â€œWell, I suppose that’s a relatively minor problem,” said Dan.
    â€œBut it goes to show she doesn’t think . And what about all the extra expense? Is the housekeeping simply meant to stretch? I rack my brains to make economies and then she just comes along…! And, no, Dan, I don’t see why you should be expected to fork out, I really don’t.”
    â€œNobody is expected to do anything,” said Daisy, grandly. “I intend to do all the shopping myself and to pay for it; I assumed you’d both take that for granted! What will it matter if I have to do without a few little things for the time being: unimportant things like cough lozenges—or aspirin—or the batteries for this infernal aid? I really can’t think what all the fuss is about. A simple act of Christian charity to homesick strangers in a wintry land— that’s what it started out as. I thought you’d be pleased. I didn’t know that Marsha would carry on as though I’d landed her with the feeding of the five thousand.”
    â€œRubbish. You didn’t think of us at all. And you know perfectly well you won’t be the one to do the shopping—or the one to pay for it.”
    â€œFurthermore, I shall buy everything already cooked,” said Daisy, loftily.
    â€œA typical Sunday dinner this is going to be!”
    â€œI can’t help that. I shall certainly do my best.”
    â€œYes, and I suppose you’ll set the table, too, and get the house all ready—”
    â€œThere was never a house more ready than this.”
    â€œâ€”and see to all the washing up afterwards.”
    â€œNaturally.”
    â€œWe’ll each help with those things,” said Dan.
    â€œWell, I keep on offering ,” said Daisy.
    There was a silence. Marsha resumed her clearing of the table. “Here,” said Daisy. “Let me do that for you.” Marsha said nothing. “Here’s the custard jug,” said Daisy. Silence. “Would you like me to try to carry that tray? I