Read Online Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp - Free Book Online

observed Lady Carmel.
    â€œIt is the universal tongue.”
    â€œHa!” exclaimed Sir Henry, much pleased. “That’s what I say. As a young man my dear parents sent me on a tour round the world. I left speaking English and I came back speaking English, and I never spoke a word of anything else the whole time. Didn’t need to.”
    â€œAnd did you enjoy your travels, sir?”
    â€œNo,” said Sir Henry.
    â€œHarry, dear!” Lady Carmel signalled to Andrew to give his father several scones. “The Professor will think you quite stupid. You know you enjoyed them.”
    â€œI didn’t,” said Sir Henry stoutly. “I went to Rome and I saw the Pope, I went to St. Petersburg, and saw the Czar, and when I got home I took a good look at the first London bobby and I thanked my stars. If a man’s got a home, he should stick to it.”
    For a moment this extraordinarily unfortunate remark seemed to Andrew to lie visible, like a broken bowl, in the middle of the floor. Then his mother tidied it up.
    â€œNow I,” she said blandly, “am a natural cosmopolitan. If one never gets out of one’s own country one becomes quite pot-bound. Personally I should like to spend nine months of the year abroad.”
    This thumping lie drew upon her the eyes of all three: Andrew’s sending a message of love, Belinski’s bright with comprehension, Sir Henry’s simply aghast.
    â€œAllie—!” he protested. “Do you really—”
    â€œHave some cake, dear,” said Lady Carmel meaningly. “Andrew, where is John? Professor, are you fond of gardens? I shall show you mine till you think me a great bore. Ah, here is John: get your tea, dear, you must be famished. And now, Professor, tell me: who is Einstein?”
    Under this firm handling the rest of the meal passed off very well, and as soon as it was over Lady Carmel made good her threat and took Belinski off to the garden.
    III
    Mrs. Maile, presiding over a rather superior spread in the housekeeper’s room, waited impatiently for Mr. Syrett to come back and report.
    â€œWell, Mr. Syrett?”
    The butler put off his front-hall manner and sat down.
    â€œPretty punctual, for once,” he announced. “I had just carried in the tray, and her ladyship’s kettle was on the boil. Mr. Andrew looks well, though somewhat more distracted than usual, and Mr. John of course lingered in the garage messing about with his car.”
    â€œAnd the Professor?”
    The butler considered. He was about to pronounce the judgement of below-stairs—no light responsibility.
    â€œYoung,” he said at last. “Younger than one would expect, or indeed, consider suitable. But quite gentlemanly.”
    Mrs. Maile nodded, to show she understood this fine distinction.
    â€œI shall try him on the Richebourg ’26,” continued Mr. Syrett.
    â€œIt’s always champagne on Mr. Andrew’s first night back.”
    â€œMr. Andrew has been coming and going at such a rate that I have decided to count him back for good. When will Brown be ready to help wait?”
    Mrs. Maile reflected.
    â€œIf you like to risk it, she might try to-night. Though with two guests, it does seem chancy.”
    â€œAt least she can reach to set a plate,” said Mr. Syrett, “without biting Sir Henry’s ear, as is Hilda’s practice. In fact, she has as good a reach as I’ve ever seen. Try her.”
    Which seemed to show that Cluny, as a Tall Parlour-maid, was at last finding her place.
    IV
    Walking between the box edges of the pixey-garden, Lady Carmel continued to handle the situation presented by Mr. Belinski with marked success. She told him simply and carefully all the things she thought he should, but probably did not, know, and refused to hear a word in return. After two or three attempts Mr. Belinski (henceforward the Professor) gave up, even admitting a certain good sense in Lady