The New Moon with the Old by Dodie Smith Read Free Book Online Page B

suffered Minty but never willingly. She said now: ‘I’d prefer Jane. It’ll make me feel younger.’
    â€˜I wish something would make me feel older ,’ said Drew. ‘Catastrophe’s obviously thrusting maturity on you, Richard, but I’m beginning to feel like a fatherless child. Not that I’vedepended on Father for anything but material comforts. To be honest, I’ve never felt I knew him at all well.’
    â€˜I doubt if any of us have,’ said Richard.
    â€˜He hasn’t really given us the chance to,’ said Merry. ‘Still, when we have seen him he’s always been terribly nice. And I wish him good luck with all my heart.’
    She spoke cheerfully and without a trace of sentiment. Jane tried to think it a good thing that Rupert’s children were not stricken emotionally as well as financially, but she found it hard to understand. Later, lying in bed, she told herself she was more callous than they were. Why, if she really had fallen in love with Rupert, wasn’t she miserable? Why did she find life so interesting, exciting, full of hope? She tried to harrow herself by thinking of him flying from the law through the night – or already in a prison cell. But she went on feeling interested, excited and hopeful. Well, at least she would keep vigil for him, lie awake …
    She slept eight hours and only got downstairs when breakfast was ready.
    â€˜Just toast and marmalade,’ said Glare. ‘I thought we’d better start economizing.’
    â€˜Perhaps we can sell the toasters,’ said Drew, as the musique concrète began.
    After breakfast, Richard and Drew drove off to call for Cook and Edith. Jane, Clare and Merry did the bedrooms.
    They were in Clare’s room when they heard a car arrive.
    Merry, looking out of the window, said: ‘Two men getting out – probably from Scotland Yard. Leave this to me.’
    â€˜Ought we to?’ said Jane.
    But Merry had already gone, closing the door behind her.
    â€˜Why not, if she fancies it?’ said Clare. ‘I certainly don’t.’
    Neither did Jane. She had decided she would not tell the police of Rupert’s visit but was none too sure she might not, if questioned, end by giving it away – in which case wouldshe not become an accessory or a conniver or something else illegal?
    â€˜Let’s keep dead quiet,’ said Clare.
    They strained their ears but could only hear a murmur of voices. At last Clare opened the door a few inches. Merry could now be clearly heard, speaking in a voice choked by emotion.
    â€˜What right have you to accuse my father when he’s not here to defend himself?’
    â€˜She’s overdoing it,’ Clare whispered to Jane.
    Jane, too, detected a histrionic note but Merry’s visitors obviously didn’t. Two male voices attempted to soothe her.
    â€˜No one’s accusing him of anything yet, miss.’
    â€˜We’re simply inquiring if he’s here.’
    â€˜Well, I’ve told you he isn’t but you probably don’t believe me. Have you a search warrant?’
    â€˜No, miss – and we do believe you.’
    â€˜That’s right, miss. No need to get so upset.’ Merry now changed her tactics. Her voice, though pitifully shaken, became controlled by exquisite breeding.
    â€˜Forgive me. Of course you have to do what’s expected of you. And my father would wish me to treat you with every courtesy. May I offer you some refreshment?’
    â€˜Maddening of her,’ whispered Clare, closing the door. ‘We may have to stay up here for ages.’
    But the men presumably declined Merry’s kind offer and very soon left. Jane and Clare, hurrying downstairs, found her mopping her eyes.
    â€˜Oh, you poor darling, you’ve really been crying,’ said Jane.
    â€˜I should hope so – any actress worth her salt can cry to order. But there was an awful moment when I nearly