Read Online The Dawning of the Day by Elisabeth Ogilvie - Free Book Online

reach of the ocean could not be more distant.
    Steve Bennett was moving another deck chair close to his sister-in-law’s. She said in a low voice, “Sit down, Mrs. Marshall.”
    â€œThank you,” Philippa said. They sat down. Mrs. Bennett took a package of cigarettes from the knitting bag hung over the arm of her chair and held it out to Philippa, who shook her head. She lit one for herself, without flourishes. Steve Bennett took one of his own and sat on his heels against the wall of the shed. He scratched Max behind the ears. Both man and dog seemed peacefully absorbed.
    â€œIt’s not just about Rob that I’ve come,” Philippa began in the tone of smooth, cheerful confidence that she had learned over the years, to dispel antagonism and tension in parents. Sometimes it worked. She wondered if she would be automatically on the defensive if someone came to her about Eric.
    Mark Bennett stopped painting. He took a few steps toward her, the brush in his hand. His dark face was hostile. “What’s Kathie done?”
    â€œNothing,” said Philippa in surprise. “Kathie’s a wonder. She’s a great addition to the schoolroom.”
    The hostility turned doubtful. His black brows drew down. His wife was smiling faintly.
    â€œDoes Kathie strike you as a sensible girl, Mrs. Marshall?” she asked in her low voice.
    â€œShrewd beyond her years, I should say.” That’s not to say she isn’t vulnerable, Philippa added silently, but she felt that what she had spoken aloud was the right thing for the moment. Steve Bennett, his back against the warm shingles, smiled at her.
    â€œThat’s what we’ve been trying to tell Mark. Maybe he’ll believe you. He’s getting all worn out with the cares of parenthood.”
    â€œOther people’s children are a tremendous responsibility,” she said tactfully. She felt as if she were walking in the dark; each remark must be essayed with caution, like a tentative footstep that might plunge her into conversational disaster.
    â€œ Responsibility !” Mark repeated violently. He wiped his hands on a rag and took out his cigarettes. The hostility had given way to angry bewilderment. He shook his head at the crumpled package. “Good Lord, I wish she had buck teeth and bowlegs. But even that wouldn’t keep some of these ginks to home.”
    She recognized, then, the source of his anger; it was fear more than anger, the same fear that motivated Suze Campion when she whined at Terence . . . “brazen little girl hang in’ on your coattails.”
    â€œWell,” said Steve softly, “you can always send her back to the main.”
    â€œI’ve suggested it,” said Helmi with pleasant calm, studying the tip of her cigarette. Mark got up and looked at the rest of them morosely.
    â€œShe won’t go back to run the streets if I’ve got anything to do with it.” He turned to Philippa. “Give her plenty of home work, make her help you after school, all that stuff. How about it?”
    She said, “I’m sure Kathie would run the school for me, if I’d only give her a chance.”
    â€œShe would, at that! She’s already running the store!” He broke out into relieved laughter, a strong hearty sound, and Steve joined him. His wife looked at them both, smiling. The atmosphere had become subtly warmed, as if a crisis had been passed.
    â€œBut you said it wasn’t Kathie you came to see us about,” Helmi reminded Philippa. “Is it Rob? Or just a social parent-teacher call?”
    â€œBoth.”
    â€œWhat’s he done?” asked Steve. “Smoked a stogie out behind the schoolhouse?”
    â€œI guess I’ve still got that to look forward to. Rob hasn’t done anything very terrible. He and Sky Campion have been playing hooky for the last three days.”
    â€œI told you to go easy on those tales of your misspent