登陆注册
5227100000056

第56章 CHAPTER IV JAMES GOES TO SEE FOR HIMSELF(4)

James was alarmed. "Oh," he said, "don't go saying I said it was to come down! I know nothing about it!"

"No?"

James went on in a fluster: "Why, what should I know about it?

It's nothing to do with me! You do it on your own responsibility."

"You'll allow me to mention your name?"

James grew more and more alarmed: "I don't know what you want mentioning my name for," he muttered; "you'd better leave the tree alone. It's not your tree!"

He took out a silk handkerchief and wiped his brow. They entered the house. Like Swithin, James was impressed by the inner court-yard.

You must have spent a douce of a lot of money here," he said, after staring at the columns and gallery for some time. "Now, what did it cost to put up those columns?"

"I can't tell you off-hand," thoughtfully answered Bosinney, "but I know it was a deuce of a lot!"

"I should think so," said James. "I should...." He caught the architect's eye, and broke off. And now, whenever he came to anything of which he desired to know the cost, he stifled that curiosity.

Bosinney appeared determined that he should see everything, and had not James been of too 'noticing=a nature, he would certainly have found himself going round the house a second time.

He seemed so anxious to be asked questions, too, that James felt he must be on his guard. He began to suffer from his exertions, for, though wiry enough for a man of his long build, he was seventy-five years old.

He grew discouraged; he seemed no nearer to anything, had not obtained from his inspection any of the knowledge he had vaguely hoped for. He had merely increased his dislike and mistrust of this young man, who had tired him out with his politeness, and in whose manner he now certainly detected mockery.

The fellow was sharper than he had thought, and better-looking than he had hoped. He had a--a 'don't care' appearance that James, to whom risk was the most intolerable thing in life, did not appreciate; a peculiar smile, too, coming when least expected; and very queer eyes. He reminded James, as he said afterwards, of a hungry cat. This was as near as he could get, in conversation with Emily, to a description of the peculiar exasperation, velvetiness, and mockery, of which Bosinney's manner had been composed.

At last, having seen all that was to be seen, he came out again at the door where he had gone in; and now, feeling that he was wasting time and strength and money, all for nothing, he took the courage of a Forsyte in both hands, and, looking sharply at Bosinney, said:

"I dare say you see a good deal of my daughter-in-law; now, what does she think of the house? But she hasn't seen it, I suppose?"

This he said, knowing all about Irene's visit not, of course, that there was anything in the visit, except that extraordinary remark she had made about 'not caring to get home'--and the story of how June had taken the news!

He had determined, by this way of putting the question, to give Bosinney a chance, as he said to himself.

The latter was long in answering, but kept his eyes with uncomfortable steadiness on James.

"She has seen the house, but I can't tell you what she thinks of, it."

Nervous and baffled, James was constitutionally prevented from letting the matter drop.

"Oh!" he said, "she has seen it? Soames brought her down, I suppose?"

Bosinney smilingly replied: "Oh, no!"

"What, did she come down alone?"

"Oh, no!"

"Then--who brought her?"

"I really don't know whether I ought to tell you who brought her."

To James, who knew that it was Swithin, this answer appeared incomprehensible.

"Why!" he stammered, "you know that...." but he stopped, suddenly perceiving his danger.

"Well," he said, "if you don't want to tell me I suppose you won't! Nobody tells me anything."

Somewhat to his surprise Bosinney asked him a question.

"By the by," he said, "could you tell me if there are likely to be any more of you coming down? I should like to be on the spot!"

"Any more?" said James bewildered, "who should there be more? I don't know of any more. Good-bye?"

Looking at the ground he held out his hand, crossed the palm of it with Bosinney's, and taking his umbrella just above the silk, walked away along the terrace.

Before he turned the corner he glanced back, and saw Bosinney following him slowly--'slinking along the wall' as he put it to himself, 'like a great cat.' He paid no attention when the young fellow raised his hat.

Outside the drive, and out of sight, he slackened his pace still more. Very slowly, more bent than when he came, lean, hungry, and disheartened, he made his way back to the station.

The Buccaneer, watching him go so sadly home, felt sorry perhaps for his behaviour to the old man.

同类推荐
  • 海岳名言

    海岳名言

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 元丰类稿

    元丰类稿

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 清代燕都梨园史料续编

    清代燕都梨园史料续编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 别庵禅师同门录

    别庵禅师同门录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE

    THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 天坑失足

    天坑失足

    重庆武隆仙女山风景区的华邦酒店档次很高,标称四星级。总台值班小姐姓刘,今天心情有些郁闷,她不是武隆本地人,家在距武隆不远的涪陵。昨天母亲过生日,刘小姐提前一个星期就向领班请假,当时领班也一口答应了,不料正逢武隆天坑申报世界遗产成功,仙女山风景区免费开放几天,游客蜂拥而至,领班又不让她走了。
  • 冲向宇宙

    冲向宇宙

    女主的话:在我一直认为我生活在一个和平美好的世界里,可是有一天一切发生了改变。新闻上报道的陨石坠落的大坑我要告诉你其实是异能者一个雷击劈的吗!恐怖分子袭击校园其实是异空间生物入侵吗!我只想说这个世界永远不是你看到的那样。
  • 邪魅王爷:王妃要休夫

    邪魅王爷:王妃要休夫

    什么?穿越了?好吧!好吧!穿越是一种潮流!她自我安慰道!莫名被赐婚?不要啦!她在宰相府里好吃好喝,就不用劳烦他养了!紫兰阁——“小娟,怎么都是素的呀?”这么大的王府,饭里居然连块肉都没有!她可是出了名的食肉动物,怎么甘愿当一条吃菜的小虫!反抗,一定要反抗!打包好东西后,她准备从后院翻墙走人!混蛋的见多了,没见过这么混蛋的!不要以为他的心在她那里,就能套住她!哼!想都别想!
  • 半城烟色

    半城烟色

    女主楚茉是黎国齐云王爷之次女,因一个算命先生的话而被送到茉砚山,十五岁时,被师傅送下山。下山之后,路中偶然撞见一具被毒杀的尸体,楚茉因好奇案情,深夜前去探听,不想竟被一陌生男子发现,几番追逐后,败下阵来才知晓此人正是江湖人称“少年神算”的洛衍,楚茉以为是衙门仵作的男子,竟是江湖“民医”宋廉!
  • 山窗余稿

    山窗余稿

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 搞笑校园:五个萝卜五个坑

    搞笑校园:五个萝卜五个坑

    大学的搞笑生活,高冷,呆萌,逗B,暴力,文艺当五个花一样的女人碰到五个草一样的男人,火光四溅!!!!“我喜欢你……你身上的每个器官我都喜欢……”你长得比实验的白鼠淡人多了!“我也喜欢你,你长得象它……”你长得看上去似乎比爷爷道馆里的沙袋更耐打!【因玩同一款游戏发现游戏里的好友尽是身边人而发生的一系列事件!】
  • 最后的太古神魔

    最后的太古神魔

    洪荒的神魔纷纷醒来。满天的仙佛纷纷涅磐。日月同空,雪夜惊雷。一场惨无人寰的屠杀过后,孤独的我该何去何从?风华正茂的佳人,荡气回肠的爱情,豪气云天的兄弟情,神秘的幻境,惊险刺激的世途,神秘的洪荒传说,没落的太古神话,强大的神器、无敌的仙。
  • 业务连续性计划和管理

    业务连续性计划和管理

    内容有业务连续性管理——360度全面灾难防御;制定符合业务需求的连续性管理方针;以业务价值为导向,实现企业持续经营;日本地震若发生在台湾,您的企业承受的了吗?防患于未然,然亦有备——提升银行业务连续性管理;风险分析在业务连续性管理中的作用;建立企业风险意识,积极管理危机事件;基于KMV模型的商业银行信用风险管理研究;对公允价值的思考和审计风险防范;等等。可为包括上市公司、民营企业等各类企业的业务连续性管理提供理论基础和最佳实践。
  • 七年

    七年

    她、娉娉袅袅十三余,豆蔻梢头二月初。春风十里美景路,卷上珠帘总不如。她叫沈思思,一个集美貌与智慧于一体的女生。从小生活在景阳市的她,高中时期去洛水高中念书,辗转反侧的徘徊中邂逅了瑰姿艳逸的童乐,认识人生众多知己蓝颜。然后举案齐眉,待嫁新装。她认为他是她这辈子永远无法度过的劫。只是时光苍苍,风过添伤,曲终人散那一刻,花自飘零水自流。
  • 重生之千金暖妻

    重生之千金暖妻

    订婚宴上,本该是主角的她成为了可有可无的人。本该是她的未婚夫却对另一个女人宠溺有加。本该是她的家人言语间却是对她的指责对另一个女人的维护。而那个女人——是她的表姐。当被人特意安排的车撞死在马路上,她恨,恨那个女人,恨那个男人,也恨,她所谓的家人。重活一世——人后她是为复仇而活的沈碧落,冷漠无情双手血腥。人前她是S市第一千金,人人称赞的天使碧落。皇权心里默念:就算是天使,也是堕落的。然后――她浅笑的眸子里是摄人的光:“要么从,要么死!”毫不犹豫:“从!”【她对他们】“亲爱的表姐,送你的礼物,喜欢吗?”她眉眼尽是温暖的笑意。“沈碧落!”她目呲欲裂:“我诅咒你不得好死!”不得好死阿,这样的滋味,我尝过了呢,那么接下来,就是你咯!我…。最亲爱的表姐。“落落,我爱你,嫁给我吧!”瞩目之下,他单膝跪地,一脸虔诚。她轻轻弯腰,在男人的耳边轻声开口:“你……配吗?”随后在男人不可置信的眼神中,转身却是一个温暖的怀抱。【他爱她,她亦是】“皇权,从现在开始,你就是我的人!”她如同女王高高在上。“我一直都是你的人阿!”他眼里尽是温暖的笑意,十足的忠犬。