Better to Eat You by Charlotte Armstrong Read Free Book Online Page A

smallest hint of petulance in his voice. Sarah heard the voices joining in to explain, all the coaxing cajoling voices. And Grandfather saying, finally, “Therefore David will become a part of the family and that answers everything. Isn’t it simple? Am I not clever?”
    â€œYou are so good.” Sarah smiled at him. But she was struggling for her identity as a grown person, against all this coaxing and petting of a reluctant baby. “Does Mr. Wakeley really want …?”
    Mr. Wakeley said, as if she were grown, “I can’t tell you what the offer means to me, Miss Shepherd. Such a place to work is beyond anything I could afford. But there is no question of coming at all unless you agree. I would be delighted to come and to have your help, but you must be the one to decide whether you want to work with me.”
    â€œSurely you see what a happy plot it is, Sarah!” cried Grandfather.
    Sarah swallowed. One mustn’t thwart Grandfather too far. She sat as straight as she could. She began to feel her outcast state, for here sat four people, intelligent, grown, living people, and only she, bedraggled in the corner, was afraid of anything. “None of you,” she said slowly, “none of you think there is anything to be afraid of?”
    Grandfather said, “Ah, now, Sarah …” His dry old hand was fluttering on her own. “The ghosts can’t follow you here, my dearie.” Malvina was smiling. Sarah knew the quality of that smile, so fresh and kind and yet hinting scorn. Edgar’s face was smooth, his small eyes watchful. He said nothing. Sarah looked searchingly at David Wakeley.
    â€œOf course there is nothing to be afraid of,” he said.
    She drew in her breath, disappointed. Well, then, they had talked to him, they’d got around him, they’d changed his mind. He had said it wasn’t chance. Now he must think, as Edgar and Malvina did, that most of it was moonshine.
    â€œNone of you? Only me.”
    â€œOh, Sarah,” said Malvina, her voice mournful with reproach, “Grandfather wants him to write his book here. And he’d like to. Do you never think of other people?”
    â€œPerhaps …” David began and Sarah caught on his face that look of pity.
    Grandfather interrupted. “But I have arranged it.”
    â€œI am foolish,” said Sarah, stung, hurt. “And you are very good to me, Grandfather. Of course, it’s a wonderful plot.”
    â€œNow, then,” said Grandfather merrily. “Now, that’s better. Now, he must fetch his things. I daresay he will need pencil and paper. Oh, and a typewriter. Eh, Malvina? Have we a typewriter?”
    â€œThere’s the portable, Grandfather, but I imagine …” Malvina’s glistening eyes turned to David.
    â€œI’ll bring a typewriter,” David said and he smiled at Malvina as if they two were in the know about these things. “You suggested Monday, sir?”
    â€œMonday is the day for new beginnings,” chirped Grandfather. “I am so pleased to have thought of this.…”
    Things were going too fast for Sarah. “But Grandfather, won’t it … mightn’t it disturb you? Maybe Mr. Wakeley doesn’t understand …”
    â€œHe has been told about your grandfather’s health,” said Edgar in his flat voice.
    â€œNow, how can it disturb me?” Grandfather was gay. “He will not be in the house. You and he will work quietly … although I confess I don’t see whatever he will put in his book. But no matter, we can dine together from time to time and speak of a variety of things, I’m sure. And besides, dear Sarah, it is all for your sake.” Grandfather twitched.
    And it wasn’t good for him to twitch. So Sarah pumped gratitude and ease into her voice. “You are so good, it was so clever of you.” She caressed his hand. “It was just the surprise