Read Online King of Spades by Frederick Manfred - Free Book Online Page A

into the dining room.
    A pull-down lamp spread a cone of soft gold light in the center of the room. Table was set. Gleaming silver neatly flanked three blue-edged plates on white linen. The reflection of the set table glowed in the mirror over the walnut sideboard. A maidenhair fern, hovering on a flower stand in front of the bay window, stirred a little as if it were a little green octopus floating lazily in midair.
    Kitty came in carrying a platter of meat in one hand and a bowl of onions and potatoes in the other. Kitty set them both at the head of the table in front of Magnus’ place. “Roddy, wash your hands.”
    â€œAw, Ma, I—”
    â€œAnd please put that racket away.”
    Roddy set his racket in a corner. He threw a look at his mother, then went off to wash up.
    The moment the boy disappeared into the kitchen Magnus flashed Kitty a silverish look.
    Kitty moved about with long vigorous strides. She had done up her light-brown hair in a high glossy roll. She had on a green apron over a yellow flowered dress. Her sensual lips were more than usually dented at the corners.
    Magnus sat down in his armchair at the head of the table. He was careful to arrange his suit jacket so that the revolver in his pocket didn’t bump against the arm of his chair.
    Kitty placed a carving set beside his plate.
    â€œAnybody leave a call today?” Magnus tucked his napkin in under his chin.
    â€œNobody.”
    â€œNobody come at all?”
    â€œNobody.”
    Magnus grunted.
    Kitty next brought out the silver tea service. She placed a cozy over the teapot. She checked the table carefully, to see if anything had been forgotten, and at last, with a sigh, sat down at her end.
    The two waited for Roddy to come.
    There was some splashing in the kitchen, then the sound of a tin washbowl being emptied, then the soft sounds of hair being licked over with a brush.
    Magnus picked up the carving knife and fork. “Roddy!”
    â€œComin.’”
    Kitty wetted the fleshy part of her lower lip with the tip of her tongue. “Don’t be so rough on the boy always.”
    Magnus let his carving knife and fork drop with a clatter. “Dammit, Kitty, please don’t interfere with my methods of discipline.”
    â€œAnd whose discipline are we to use when you’re out on call?”
    â€œMine. An extension of them. Surrogate.”
    â€œAnd if you should happen to die tomorrow?”
    â€œAh. Looking forward to that already, eh?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œYou see!” Magnus’ fingertips crouched on the white tablecloth.
    â€œAhk! Ahk!” Roddy warned from the door. “Here we go again.” Roddy drew up his chair to the table. “I sure wish you two would quit fightin’ once.”
    Magnus and Kitty threw each other a surprised look, then stared down at their plates.
    Roddy bowed over his plate. “Lord Jesus, look down in mercy upon us, bless this food, forgive us our sins … and please for goshsakes make Dad and Mom quit fighting all the time, it’s hard on my stomach, I can’t eat sometimes. Amen.”
    Kitty’s lips edged up at the corners.
    Magnus picked up his carving knife and fork again and slowly began to vibrate.
    Kitty gave her table yet another look. “Oh, dear. I forgot to set out the water after all. Roddy, would you please get it for me?”
    â€œYes’m.” Roddy went to get them each a glass of water.
    Magnus waited until Roddy had finished, all the while continuing to vibrate at his end of the table.
    Roddy had just barely sat down again, when there were solid steps outside, then a rap at the back door.
    Kitty groaned. “Oh no. It would have to be just as we’re about to eat. Roddy, go see who it is, will you, please? And ask them if they can’t come back in half an hour.”
    â€œBut I’m hungry, Mom.”
    â€œDo it,” Magnus ordered.
    Before Roddy could get to his feet, the back