Read Online High Master of Clere by Jane Arbor - Free Book Online Page B

So you ’ re going to borrow that camera —and use it, do you hear? ’
    ‘ Oh, I am ? And who ’ s going to make me, huh? ’ defied Lance.
    ‘ As if you didn ’ t know! I am, ’ even if I have to stand over you in the hide. So I ’ ll expect you to collect it after school. ’
    ‘ You ’ ll be waiting a long time. ’
    ‘ Then I ’ ll bring it over to West myself. And if I ’ m forced to do that, don ’ t be surprised if I tell Old Nick that you ’ ve turned down a chance to put on a complete show of your own films for the House, ’ warned Verity.
    ‘ What do you mean—a show? ’
    ‘ Just that. I think Daniel had in mind a programme of your best results with your commentary added on tape, perhaps. He seemed to think you might be glad to have the chance. ’
    Lance hesitated. ‘ But I haven ’ t any stuff good enough —’
    ‘ Nonsense. You know you ’ ve got some wonderful shots. What about all those you put on for us last Christmas ? And the ones you ’ ve just got on the Broads? But remember, if you ’ re giving a show Daniel will expect you to have got some results with the Leica. ’ Verity paused. ‘ You ’ ll come along and look at it when you ’ re free, then? ’ she added.
    Lance hunched a shoulder. ‘ Maybe I ’ ll come in break, ’ he grudged. At which Verity astutely hid her relief. Once he handled the camera, he would be tempted, she was sure, and the rest should be easy.
    A week later Nash gave one small yelp as he loped down from his bed to give Verity his morning greeting. He had done the same before the onset of his spinal trouble in the summer, and her heart plunged with dismay.
    ‘ Oh, Nash, no !’ she begged, and ran for the tablets which the vet had left with her against such a recurrence. Before ringing him she saw other danger signals she recognized—the drawn-in ste rn , the little dog ’ s sharp wariness to her touch, and when the vet came his verdict was even more guarded than before.
    Rest, drugs, loving attention—all these Nash should have in good measure. But his earlier attack had weakened his heart, and though Mr. Cody counselled hope, his diagnosis had little else to offer.
    This Verity sensed. Though the worst remained unspoken at that first visit, she feared its inevitability from the way in which Mr. Cody, unaware that she was listening, addressed Nash as he left. A hand under the sensitive muzzle— ‘ Well, feller, you ’ ve had a baker ’ s dozen of good years, haven ’ t you? ’ said Mr. Cody, and Verity ’ s throat constricted with dread.
    She left Nash in her mother ’ s care when she went to her office, and Daniel enquired about him when he called her to take letters. She slipped back to see Nash during break. He was sleeping under the sedative effect of the tablets, but she did not leave him until after the next school period had begun.
    She heard her telephone ringing from down the hall and when she snatched up the receiver a woman ’ s voice said, ‘ Is that Clere? Yes? Then I should like to speak to the High Master. Miss Cusack—Ira Cusack of Viking Vision here. ’
    ‘ Oh yes. Good morning, Miss Cusack. ’ Verity ’ s pleasant tone masked her faint recoil from the associations which the name recalled. ‘ Mr. Wyatt asked you to ring about now, didn ’ t he? But I ’ m afraid—just a moment, please ’ —Verity referred to the class timetable above her desk— ‘ yes, I ’ m afraid I can ’ t call him to the phone at the moment as he has just gone to take a History period with the Sixth. Perhaps I could ?’
    She wasn ’ t allowed to finish. Ira Cusack ’ s urbane voice cut in, ‘ He ’ s gone where ?’ and to Verity ’ s reply, ‘ But that doesn ’ t put him at the ends of the earth, surely? So tell him, please, that I ’ m on the line and that I ’ ll hold on to speak to him —in person .’
    Verity said patiently, ‘ I ’ m sorry, but you can ’ t just now. If you must, I suggest you call again — say,