Read Online When the Lion Feeds by Wilbur Smith, Tim Pigott-Smith - Free Book Online

mouth and a little of it spilled out onto his lips. His collar stood up at a jaunty angle under one ear.
    There was no sound in the room except Sean's breathing Get out, said clark again and the anger drained out of Sean leaving him trembling with reaction. He walked to the door.
    YOU too, Clark pointed at Garrick. Get out and don't come back! Come on, Garry, said Sean.
    Garrick stood up from his desk and limped across to Sean and together they went out into the school yard.
    What are we going to do now? There was a big red lump on Garrick's forehead.
    I suppose we'd better go home. What about our things? asked Garrick.
    We can't carry all that, we'll have to send for them later. Come on.
    They walked out through the town and along the road to the farm. They had almost reached the bridge on the Baboon Stroorn before either of them spoke again.
    what do you reckon Pa will do? asked Garrick. He was only putting into words the problem that had occupied them both since they left the school. Well, whatever he does, it was worth it. Sean grinned.
    Did you see me clobber him, hey? Smackeroo, right in the chops. You shouldn't have done it, Sean. Pa's going to kill us!
    Me too and I didn't do anything You sniffed, Sean reminded him.
    They reached the bridge and leaned over the parapet side by side to watch the water.
    How's your leg? asked Sean.
    It's sore, I think we should rest a bit. All right, if you say so, Sean agreed.
    There was a long silence, then, I. wish you hadn't done it, Sean.
    Well, wishing isn't going to help. Old Nose-Holes is as punched up as he'll ever be and all we can do is think of something to tell Pa. He hit me, said Garrick. He might have killed me. Yes, agreed Sean righteously, and he hit me too. They thought about it for a while.
    Perhaps we should just go away, suggested Garrick.
    You mean without telling Pa? The idea had attraction.
    Yeah, we could go to sea or something, Garrick brightened.
    You'd get seasick, you even get sick in a train. Once more they applied their minds to the problem.
    Then Sean looked at Garrick, Garrick looked at Sean and as though by agreement they straightened up and started off once more for Theunis kraal.
    Ada was in front of the house. She had on a wide-brimmed straw hat that kept her face in shadow and over one arm she carried a basket of flowers. Busy with her garden, she didn't notice them until they were halfway across the lawn and when she did she stood motionless. She was steeling herself, trying to get her emotions under control; from experience she had learned to expect the worst from her stepsons and be thankful when it wasn't as bad as that.
    As they came towards her they lost momentum and finally halted like a pair of clockwork toys running down. Hello, said Ada. Hello, they answered her together.
    Garrick fumbled in his pocket, drew out a handkerchief and blew his nose. Sean stared up at the steep Dutchgabled roof of Theunis Kraal as though he had never seen it before. Yes? Ada kept her voice calm.
    Mr Clark said we were to go home, announced Garrick.
    rWhy? Ada's calm was starting to crack.
    Well? Garrick glanced at Sean for support. Sean's attention was still riveted on the roof.
    Well . . . You see Sean sort of punched him in the head until he fell down. I didn't do anything. Ada moaned softly, Oh, no! She took a deep breath. all right.
    Start at the beginning and give me the whole story.
    They told it in relays, a garbled rush of words, interrupting each other and arguing over the details.
    When they had finished Ada said, You better go to your room. Your father is working in the home section today and he'll be back for his lunch soon. I'll try and prepare him a little. The room had the cheery atmosphere of a condemned cell.
    How much do you reckon he'll give us? asked Garrick.
    I reckon until he gets tired, then he'll rest and give us some more, Sean answered.
    They heard Waite's horse come into the yard. He said something to the stable boy and they heard him