the maltese angel by Yelena Kopylova Read Free Book Online Page B

of surprise, and she answered, "My parents were on the stage too. My mother was a dancer, and my father sang. And so I've always been on the move. I think it was a year
    after my father brought my mother from Malta that we settled in
    Bristol, because I wasn't born until the following year. And that was in York, and two days after Christmas Day."
    He did not remark on her Christmas birth, but asked, "Your parents ..
    they are ... ?"
    Her answer was without false sentiment: "They are dead," she said.
    "My mother died of smallpox, and a year later my father was drowned.
    But that was almost six years ago. Since then Mr. and Mrs. Killjoy have been almost like parents to me."
    "I'm sure. I'm sure." His head was nodding, but he could find no more to say; he felt utterly tongue-tied, all he could do was listen to his thoughts: she was beautiful, but of a different beauty to that which she showed from the stage. The word that suited her there, he
    supposed, would be ethereal, not quite of this world. But this girl was of this world. And she seemed at ease in it. There was a
    quietness about her. And yet her eyes were merry, and she smiled
    often. He wished he could see her standing up; he didn't know how tall she would be. She was very slim. Well, she would have to be very
    slim, wouldn't she, and of no weight to be hanging from that wire?
    "Now you've heard all about my life, so may I ask about yours? Mrs.
    Killjoy says you're a farmer. That sounds so interesting. It must be wonderful dealing with animals. I love the poodles." She indicated a door at the end of the room as if that was where the dogs were.
    He could answer her now: he gave a short laugh as he said, "Not so wonderful when you have to get up on a winter morning around five, because you know, cows wear watches." He actually pulled a face at her.
    "And they don't like it if you're a bit late; they kick up a row."
    She was laughing outright now, as she repeated his words: "Cows wear watches. Have you many?"
    "Eighteen milkers and six youngsters coming on ... heifers, you know; and three horses, one for the trap or riding. Her name is Betsy. And two Shires .. you know, the big horses. I am sure you've seen them pulling the beer drays; well, mine pull the plough and many other
    things. "
    "Oh, yes. Yes. And they are lovely. Have you got ducks?"
    "Oh, yes; ducks, chickens, a few geese. And pigs, of course. All that you expect to find on a farm."
    "Have you always lived on a farm?"
    "Always. And my father, and his father, and his father before him."
    She was staring at him again. Her face had been smiling; but now the smile slid away and her hand came out tentatively as if she were about to touch him;
    but she withdrew it quickly as she said, "I ... I noticed you've had an injury to your face."
    "Oh that." He fingered the two thin lines of dried scab.
    "I had a sort of accident."
    "With ... with an animal?"
    He could have replied, "Yes, a bitch;' instead, he said, " A wild cat got into the barn. I must have surprised her, frightened her. She
    sprang down from . a sort of
    5i
    platform that's found in some barns' his hand wavered over his brow'
    and her claws caught me. "
    "Oh dear! It must have been very frightening, and painful."
    His manner was offhand now as he said, "The only thing is, it's a nuisance. I find it difficult to shave."
    "Yes. Yes, of course."
    At this point the far door opened and Mr. and Mrs. Killjoy entered the room. On Ward's rising to his feet, the woman exclaimed loudly, at the same time wagging her finger at the young girl, "Now that's the action of a gentleman. You can always tell a gentleman if he'll get off his backside ... I meaner she slanted her gaze at him' rises from his seat when a woman enters the room."
    "Oh, Mrs. Killjoy."
    The finger wagged again.
    "Well, you know me by now, Stephanie: I say what's in my mind, and I can't stop it, because there's a leak there."
    The large body shook with laughter, in which her husband joined. Then turning