I'll Never Marry! by Juliet Armstrong Read Free Book Online Page B

thoroughness that the hole is big enough now to let a herd of cows through. ”
    Catherine went white with dismay. “ This is news to me, ” she began.
    “ Well, I hope you ’ ll regard it as serious news, ” he retorted. “ Perhaps you don ’ t realize it, but mending hedges isn ’ t like darning socks: hedging is a slow, expensive and very intricate operation. And to have to have it done at this time of year, when every available pair of hands is needed for hay-making is simply maddening. ”
    “ I am most awfully sorry. ” The sincerity in Catherine ’ s tone was unmistakable. But too annoyed to notice, or to care , he continued angrily: “ Sheer, wanton damage, that ’ s what it is. They saw the gate was padlocked and smothered with barbed wire, and instead of taking the hint, and keeping out, they must needs break down the hedge. ”
    “ I couldn ’ t go with them myself. ” Once again Catherine tried to get in a word.
    “ Apparently not. I happened to see you in Great Garsford that particular afternoon. However, as you were the one invited—and the one who undertook to take the children the way I pointed out—I am afraid you cannot evade the responsibility. ”
    She colored up at this. But understanding very well the just nature of his grievance, and prevented by loyalty to a colleague from explaining that Hilda had received the fullest instructions as to the route to be taken, she merely said steadily: “ I can ’ t apologize enough for what has happened. The matter will have to be reported to Matron, of course, and the question of payment for the damage taken up with you. ”
    For a moment he seemed taken aback by the quiet dignity with which she spoke. But almost at once he exclaimed impatiently: “ I ’ ve not come here to get money out of anyone, but to give you my considered opinion of the way these children of yours are allowed to behave. What is more, considering that the last time I invited them over they left a gate open and let a dozen or so bullocks get into a field of young oats, you will understand that I definitely refuse to have them on my land any more, apart from the public footpaths. ”
    “ That ’ s news to me as well, ” Catherine said, with an access of dismay.
    “ Well, I told Miss Dewney at the time what I thought of her over that episode, ” he declared. “ And I can tell you this, that if I ’ d known there was any likelihood of her bringing the children across on Saturday, I should not have issued my invitation. ” He hesitated, continuing shortly: “ I thought, mistakenly, I see, that they had a sensible girl here now who understood that farming is a serious business, not a frivolous pastime. ”
    Her color deepened at this sharp and wholly unmerited reproof, but she met it in silence, and with a brusque “ Good morning, ” he went on his way.
    She returned to her wash tub with feelings of extreme indignation, though whether she was angrier with Andrew or with Hilda she could hardly have said. Strenuous rubbing and wringing proved potent, however, in working off the worst of her wrath, and when Hilda came in with the morning ’ s shopping she managed to refrain from broaching the subject to her. Much better, she decided, to postpone discussion until after dinner when they could talk in peace without the risk of saucepans catching or boiling over, or children bouncing in upon them.
    At last, when the bigger children were trudging back to school, and the smaller ones resting, and she and Hilda were sitting out by the back door enjoying their after-dinner cup of tea, she took the plunge and told the other girl of Andrew ’ s visit, and of his complaint.
    She had expected Hilda to show signs of something approaching consternation, for it was she, ultimately, on whom the responsibility for the damage must rest. But to her surprise Hilda ’ s only reaction seemed to be resentment tinged with impatience.
    “ I ought to have warned you never to accept any