Read Online The Sweetest Dream by Doris Lessing - Free Book Online Page A

personality that Eton had
created in him, seemed at this moment to have slipped out of
alignment with his real self, and become a series of grotesqueries,
like out-of-place masks. His eyes stared, sombre, anxious, all
appeal.
    â€˜What are we going to do?’ said Frances, as desperate as he
was.
    â€˜Just wait, wait a bit, that’s all, it’ll be all right.’
    When ‘the kids’–she really must stop using the phrase–came crowding down to sit around the table, waiting for food,
Johnny was not with them. Everyone sat listening to the quarrel
that was going on at the top of the house. Shouts, imprecations–words could not be distinguished.
    Andrew said, ‘He wants Julia to go and live in his flat and
look after Phyllida while he is in Cuba.’
    They looked at her, to see her reaction. She was laughing.
‘Oh, my God,’ she said. ‘He’s really not possible.’
    Now they glanced at each other–disapproval. All, that is,
except Andrew. They admired him, and thought Frances bitter.
Andrew said to them, seriously, ‘It simply isn’t on. It’s not fair to
ask Julia.’
    The top of the house, where Julia had her being, was often
a subject for mockery, and Julia had been referred to as ‘the old
woman’. But since Andrew had been home, and had become
friends with Julia, they were having to take their cue from him.
    â€˜Why should she look after Phyllida?’ said Andrew. ‘She’s got
her hands full with us.’
    This new view of the situation caused a thoughtful silence.
    â€˜She doesn’t like Phyllida,’ said Frances, supporting Andrew.
And she suppressed: and she doesn’t like me. She has never liked
Johnny’s women.
    â€˜Who could?’ said Geoffrey, and Frances looked at him
enquiringly: there was something new here.
    â€˜Phyllida came here this afternoon,’ said Geoffrey.
    â€˜She was looking for you,’ said Andrew.
    â€˜Here? Phyllida?’
    â€˜She’s nuts,’ said Rose. ‘I was here. She’s bonkers. Round the
twist.’ And she giggled.
    â€˜What did she want?’ said Frances.
    â€˜I sent her off,’ said Andrew. ‘I told her she shouldn’t be here.’
    Upstairs doors were slamming, Johnny was shouting, and he
came leaping down the stairs followed by the single word from
Julia, ‘Imbecile!’
    He arrived, sparking off anger.
    â€˜Old bitch,’ he said, ‘fascist bitch.’
    â€˜The kids’ looked for guidance to Andrew. He was pale,
seemed ill. Loud voices–quarrelling–too much for him.
    â€˜Too much ,’ said Rose, in admiration of the general
unpleasantness.
    Andrew said, ‘Tilly’ll be upset again.’ He half rose and Frances
appealed, afraid that he would find this an excuse not to eat,
‘Please sit down, Andrew.’ He did, and she was surprised that he
obeyed her.
    â€˜Did you know that your . . . that Phyllida was here?’ said
Rose to Johnny, giggling. Her face was flushed, her little black
eyes sparkled.
    â€˜ What? ’ said Johnny, sharp, with a quick glance at Frances.
‘She was here?’
    No one said anything.
    â€˜I’ll speak to her,’ said Johnny.
    â€˜Has she got parents?’ asked Frances. ‘She could go home
while you’re in Cuba.’
    â€˜She hates them. With good reason. They’re lumpen scum.’
    Rose had the back of her hand against her mouth, pressing
back more hilarity.
    Meanwhile Frances was looking around, taking in who was
here this evening. Apart from Geoffrey–well, of course, and
Andrew, and Rose, there was Jill, there was Sophie, and she was
crying. There was also a boy unknown to her.
    At this moment the telephone rang and it was Colin again.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said. ‘Is Sophie there? She must be terribly
upset. Let me speak to her.’
    This reminded everyone that Sophie had to