Demelza by Winston Graham Read Free Book Online

far as - so far as…'
    'So far as you know. I trust the time will pass quickly for you both.'
    'Thank you, sur.' Jinny curtsied, still red, and moved on.
    'You are taking small interest in your goddaughter, Francis,' Ruth said, anxious to turn him away from his squireish mood. 'The infant is getting well quizzed in your absence. I'm sure she would appreciate a sup of canary.'
    'They say all the vulgars are brought up on gin,' said Patience Teague. 'And look no worse for it. I was reading but the other day how many, I forget how many, million gallons of gin was drunk last year.'
    'Not all by babies, Sister,' said Treneglos.
    'Well, no doubt they will sometimes take ale for a change,' said Patience.
    This had all been watched though not heard by Tom Carne. He turned his sharp obstinate eyes upon Mrs Carne.
    'Thur's ungodliness 'ere, Wife,' he said through his beard. 'Tis no proper place for a cheeil. Tis no fitty company to attend on a baptizing. I suspicioned no less. Women wi' their wanton clothes and young princocks strutting between 'em, drinkin' and jesting. Tis worse'n ye d'see in Truro.'
    His wife hunched up her shoulders. Her conviction was of longer standing and was by nature less belligerent. 'We must pray for 'em, Tom. Pray for 'em all, and your own darter among 'em. Maybe there'll come a day when they'll see the light.'
    Julia would not be quieted so Demelza seized the excuse to take her indoors. She was in a despairing mood.
    She knew that however the day might turn now it was a black failure to her. Full-flavoured meat for the gossips. Well, let it come. There was nothing more she could do. She had tried to be one of them and failed. She would never try again. Let them all go home, ride off at once, so that she might have done with everything. Only that she might be left alone.
    A few moments after she had gone Ruth succeeded in edging her friends within earshot of Tom Carne.
    'For my part,' she said, 'I have no care for liquor unless it be brandy or port; I like a good heavy drink, soft to the taste and no bite until it is well down. Don't you agree, Francis?'
    'You remind me of Aunt Agatha,' he said. 'The conceits of a woman of discretion.'
    There was another laugh, against Ruth this time. They were passing by Tom Carne and he stepped forward, playing exactly into Ruth's hands.
    'One of ye be the cheeil's godfather?'
    Francis bowed slightly. Viewed from behind there seemed a hint of satire in the way the rising wind twisted his coattails.
    'I am.'
    Tom Carne stared at him. 'By what right?'
    'Eh?'
    'By what right do ye stand for the cheeil at the seat of righteousness?'
    Francis had won heavily at the faro tables last night and he felt indulgent.
    'Because I was so invited.'
    'Invited?' said Carne. 'Aye, mebbe you were invited. But are ee saved?'
    'Saved?'
    'Aye, saved.'
    'Saved from what?'
    'From the Devil and damnation.'
    'I haven't had any communication on the point.' John Treneglos guffawed.
    'Well, that's where ye're at fault, mister,' said Carne. 'Them as has paid no heed to God's call has no doubt hearkened to the Devil's. Tes one or the other for all of we. There's no betwixt an' between. Tes Heaven and all the angels or hell-fire an' the brimstone pit!'
    'We have a preacher among us,' said George Warleggan.
    Mrs Carne pulled at her husband's sleeve. Although she professed to despise the gentry she had not Carne's genuine contempt for them. She knew that outside the small circle of their own meetinghouse people like this ruled the material world. 'Come away, Tom,' she said. 'Leave 'em be. They're in the valley o' the shadow, and nought will move 'em.'
    Ross, who had gone with Demelza into the house to try to encourage her to face it out, came again to the front door. The wind was gusty. He saw the argument and at once moved towards it.
    Carne had thrown off his wife's arm.
    'Four years ago,' he was proclaiming in a voice which carried all over the garden, 'I was a sinner against God and served the Devil