War in Heaven by Charles Williams Read Free Book Online Page B

inclined to go back, he changed his mind and went on towards the front door, with the other in attendance.
    â€œYes,” Barbara said, distracted by Mornington’s passing, “yes, I expect you’re right.”
    â€œI suppose,” Gregory remarked, changing the conversation, “that you’ve settled your holiday plans by now. Where are you going?”
    â€œWell, sir,” Lionel said, “we weren’t going away this year at all. But Adrian had a slight attack of measles a month or so ago, so we decided we ought to, just to put him thoroughly right. Only every place is booked up and we don’t seem able to get anything.”
    â€œI don’t want to seem intrusive,” Gregory said hesitatingly, “but, if you really want a place, there’s a cottage—not a very grand one—down near where I live. It’s on my grounds actually, and it’s quite empty just now … if it’s any good to you.”
    â€œBut, Mr. Persimmons, how charming of you!” Barbara cried. “That would be delightful and just the thing. Where do you live, by the way?”
    â€œI’ve just taken a place in the country,” Gregory answered, “in Hertfordshire, near a little village called Fardles. Indeed, I’ve only just moved in. It belonged to a Lady Sykes-Martindale, but she’s been advised to go to Egypt for her health, and I took the house. So it’s quite new to me. Adrian and I could explore it together.”
    â€œHow splendid!” Barbara said. “But are you quite sure, Mr. Persimmons? I did want to get away, but we were giving up hope. Are you quite sure we shan’t be intruding?”
    â€œNot if you will let me see something of you there,” Gregory assured her. “And, if Adrian liked me enough,” he smiled at the boy, “you and your husband——” A motion of his hand threw England open to their excursions.
    â€œIt’s very good of you, sir,” Lionel began.
    â€œNonsense, nonsense,” the other answered. “There’s the cottage and here are you. I’ll write about it. When do you go, Rackstraw? July? I’ll write in a week or two, then. And now I must go and look at more figures. Good night, Mrs. Rackstraw. I shall see you again in five weeks or so. Good night, Adrian.” He bowed down to shake the small hand. “Good night, Rackstraw. I’m delighted you’ll come.” He waved his hand generally and departed.
    â€œWhat a divine creature!” Barbara said, going down the stairs. “Adrian darling, we’re really going away. Would you like to go into the country?”
    â€œWhere is the country?” Adrian said.
    â€œOh—out there,” Barbara said. “Away from the streets. With fields and cows.”
    â€œI don’t like cows,” Adrian said coldly.
    â€œI daresay you won’t see any,” Lionel put in. “It does seem rather fortunate, Barbara.”
    â€œI think it’s perfectly splendid,” Barbara said joyously.
    â€œCan I take my new train?” Adrian asked. And, in a whirl of assurances that he should take anything he liked or needed or had the slightest inclination to take, they came out into the hot June evening.

Chapter Four
    THE FIRST ATTEMPT ON THE GRAAL
    The Archdeacon of Castra Parvulorum returned to Fardles and his rectory on the next morning, for a few days’ clearing up before he went on his holiday. After he had spent an hour or two in his study, he got up suddenly, and, going out of the house, took the private path that led through his garden and the churchyard to the small Norman Church. The memory of the article he had read in Mornington’s office had grown more dominating as he returned to the place where, if Sir Giles Tumulty were right, the Graal, neglected and overlooked, stood in his sacristy. No-one had ever seen the Archdeacon excited, not even when, in the days of his youth, he