An Excellent Wife by Charlotte Lamb Read Free Book Online

melting, and trickling down her small face.
    'This place is already overrun with animals; we've got to take a stand!'
    "I hate you, I hate you,' Emmy sobbed, and kicked the old man with surprising violence on his ankle.
    He hopped back. 'Here, you stop that!'
    As if at a given signal, the children all surged forward and were clearly about to launch a physical attack on him, too, but Patience said sharply, 'No! Don't be naughty, children!' and they fell back obediently but glared and muttered.
    'He's a nasty man!' Emmy said, still dripping tears.
    'And what business is it of his, anyway?' the tallest boy said, his voice breaking with temper, making him sound oddly touching, stranded halfway between child and man, neither one nor the other.
    Patience produced a handkerchief and gently wiped Emmy's wet little face.
    'You shouldn't kick grown-ups; you know that, Emmy.'
    'Not even if they deserve it?' the tall boy asked cuttingly.
    Patience looked confused. 'Not even then, Toby,' she said at last, and the children shifted, scowling.
    By then James had worked out that there weren't actually a dozen, only about half a dozen, and he wasn't sure if they were all related. The ones with hair on the red side were probably related to Patience; the three others of about the same ages were probably just their friends.

    Barny got out of the car and came up the steps, asking quietly, 'Are you coming, sir? I have to get back to Enid, if you remember, or we'll be late for the theatre.'
    Patience swivelled to look at James; the children, the old women and the old man all stared, too, silenced for a second or two and taking James in then, their eyes curious, probing. 'Is it him?' the children whispered to Patience, who nodded at them, putting a finger on her lips.
    James knew he should be going. This whole family were obviously crazy.
    Nothing like this had ever happened to him before. His life had always been so neat and ordered, a world of calm colours and hushed voices. He couldn't help being fascinated by this revelation of & very different universe and he hesitated, feeling he should leave yet so curious he knew he would stay.
    'Off you go, Barny, you mustn't keep Enid waiting. I'll get a taxi,' he said offhandedly.
    Barny nodded. 'Yes, sir.' For some reason he smiled, too, as if he was pleased with James, although why he should be James could not imagine, flushing slightly and feeling irritated and self-conscious. Barny went back down the steps; the car drove off and James felt one last wild urge to run after it, but at that instant a tiny hand twined itself around his fingers.
    He looked down into the bright green eyes of the little girl.
    'Come and see my puppy. Do you like puppies?'
    'Don't encourage her,' said the old man. 'You can see how many dogs we've got. The last thing we need is another dog, and this puppy isn't even house-trained; it leaves puddles everywhere and it has already torn up a cushion and Mrs Green's slipper—chewed it to bits, it did.'
    'Oh, never mind that old slipper! I don't care twopence about it. Don't you drown that poor little mite on my account!' said a spry, white-haired woman whose blue flowered apron exactly matched her blue eyes. 'I'll soon house-train him. I've always had a soft spot for a Jack Russell, and he'll certainly keep the vermin down. We won't need to worry about rats or mice if we have that little chap here.'
    'Oh. that's it! Undermine my authority!' scolded the old man.
    'What authority?' snorted Mrs. Green. 'Who do you think you are?' Those kids have got the right idea—a good kick is what you need. Joe!"
    'Lavinia!' interrupted Patience. 'Please, can we stop all this squabbling?
    Emmy, take Mr Ormond to see your puppy, but supper won't be long, so make sure you bring him back to the kitchen in time to wash his hands.'
    Emmy looked up at James confidingly. 'She's very bossy.'
    'Yes, I noticed that,' said James, not particularly interested in this puppy but fatalistically accepting that he