Read Online The Book and the Brotherhood by Iris Murdoch - Free Book Online Page A

understand.
    Jenkin, who constantly read Gerard’s mind, had been aware that Gerard disapproved of what he might have thought of as Jenkin’s excitement, even glee, at the little bit of drama promised by the evening. He also felt that Gerard had thought poorly of Jenkin’s appreciation of Crimond’s flying kilt. Jenkin was bothered too by his
gaucherie
with Rose, his inability to dance well, and his abrupt dismissal of her question. He too was not at all sure how drunk he was. When Rose declined the next dance saying she was tired, Jenkin made a quick circuit looking for Duncan but did not find him. He pursued a white-clad figure who looked like Tamar, but who vanished on his approach. Tamar had by this time finished her dance with Duncan and been sent away by him with a vague, ‘Well, off you go, and enjoy yourself.’ She did not feel any urge or duty to stay with him, he was clearly very drunk and either did not want her to continue seeing him in this condition or had quite forgotten that she had no partner. She started to walk about aimlessly in conspicuous spaces hoping that someone she knew would see her. About the cashmere shawl, she had given up hope, perhaps someone had stolen it.
    Gerard, who constantly read Jenkin’s mind, was aware of the little cloud that hung over his friend and hastened to dispel it. ‘My dear fellow, do you think you could find the whisky you alleged you hid? I’m fed up with this stuff.’
    They went into Levquist’s neat student-like bedroom with its narrow iron bedstead and washstand with basin, water jug, and soap dish, and Jenkin began foraging in Levquist’s bedclothes. The bottle of whisky was found, and a carafe of water on the bedside table, handy because there was of course no bathroom or running water. Gerard tidied the bed. They took these trophies back into the main room and dosed two champagne glasses with whisky.
    ‘It’s day out there, can’t we pull the curtains?’
    ‘I suppose it is,’ said Gerard, ‘how ghastly!’ He pulled back the curtains and let in the dreadful cold sunlight.
    ‘I couldn’t see Duncan anywhere, but I gather a lot of people are in the deer park.’
    ‘They’re not supposed to be.’
    ‘Well, they are.’
    Heavy uncertain footsteps were heard on the stairs. ‘That must be Duncan,’ said Jenkin, and opened the door.
    Duncan blundered in and made straight for an armchair and fell into it with a crash. He stared up blankly for a moment. Then passed his hand over his face as Gerard had done earlier, frowned, and gathered himself. With an effort he sat up a little.
    ‘Good heavens, you’re soaking wet!’ said Jenkin.
    It was so. Duncan’s trousers and part of his jacket were drenched with water, muddy too, and muddy water was dripping darkly onto the carpet.
    Duncan noticed this and said, ‘Christ, what will Levquist say!’
    ‘I’ll deal,’ said Gerard. He fetched two towels from the bedroom, gave one to Duncan, and with the other began to mop up the pool on the carpet, while Duncan dabbed at his clothes.
    ‘I’m sloshed,’ said Duncan. Then he explained. ‘I fell in the river. Crazy!’
    ‘I’m sloshed too,’ said Jenkin sympathetically.
    ‘Is that whisky? Can I have some?’
    Jenkin poured out a small whisky and filled the glass up with water. Duncan took it with an unsteady hand.
    More footsteps were heard on the stairs. It was Rose. She came in and saw Duncan at once. ‘Duncan, dear, there you are, I’m so glad!’ She could not think what to say to him next, so exclaimed, ‘So you’re all onto whisky, are you, no I won’t have any! What’s that mess on the floor?’
    ‘I fell in the Cher,’ said Duncan. ‘Idiotic old drunk!’
    ‘Poor darling! Gerard, put the electric fire on. And stop doing that, you’re only making things worse. Give me the towel. See if there’s any water in the jug in the bedroom.’
    There was. Rose, tucking up her green dress, on her knees, began an artful operation with little