Roger went over to his aunt. He put his arms round her and hugged her.
Aunt Edith, he said. You are a darlingand a stubborn fighter, but you dont begin to understand. Clemency and I know what we wantand what we dont want!
Clemency, a sudden spot of colour showing in each thin cheek, stood defiantly facing them.
None of you, she said, understand Roger. You never have! I dont suppose you ever will! Come on, Roger.
They left the room as Mr Gaitskill began clearing his throat and arranging his papers. His countenance was one of deep disapprobation. He had disliked the foregoing scenes very much. That was clear.
My eyes came at last to Sophia herself. She stood straight and handsome by the fireplace, her chin up, her eyes steady. She had just been left an immense fortune, but my principal thought was how alone she had suddenly become. Between her and her family a barrier had been erected. Henceforth she was divided from them, and I fancied that she already knew and faced that fact. Old Leonides had laid a burden upon her shouldershe had been aware of that and she knew it herself. He had believed that her shoulders were strong enough to bear it, but just at this moment I felt unutterably sorry for her.
So far she had not spokenindeed she had been given no chance, but very soon now speech would be forced from her. Already, beneath the affection of her family, I could sense latent hostility. Even in Magdas graceful playacting there had been, I fancied, a subtle malice. And there were other darker undercurrents that had not yet come to the surface.
Mr Gaitskills throat clearings gave way to precise and measured speech.
Allow me to congratulate you, Sophia, he said. You are a very wealthy woman. I should not advise anyerprecipitate action. I can advance you what ready money is needed for current expenses. If you wish to discuss future arrangements I shall be happy to give you the best advice in my power. Make an appointment[130] with me at Lincolns Inn when you have had plenty of time to think things over.
Roger began Edith de Haviland obstinately.
Mr Gaitskill snapped in quickly.
Roger, he said, must fend for himself. Hes a grown maner, fifty-four, I believe. And Aristide Leonides was quite right, you know. He isnt a business man. Never will be. He looked at Sophia. If you put Associated Catering on its legs again, dont be under any illusions that Roger can run it successfully.
I shouldnt dream of putting Associated Catering on its legs again, said Sophia.
It was the first time she had spoken. Her voice was crisp and businesslike.
It would be an idiotic thing to do, she added.
Gaitskill shot a glance at her from under his brows, and smiled to himself. Then he wished everyone goodbye and went out.
There were a few moments of silence, a realization that the family circle was alone with itself.
Then Philip got up stiffly.
I must get back to the library, he said. I have lost a lot of time.
Father Sophia spoke uncertainly, almost pleadingly.
I felt her quiver and draw back as Philip turned cold hostile eyes on her.
You must forgive me not congratulating you, he said. But this has been rather a shock to me. I would not have believed that my father would have so humiliated methat he would have disregarded my lifetimes devotionyes devotion.
For the first time, the natural man broke through the crust of icy restraint.
My God, he cried. How could he do this to me? He was always unfair to mealways.
Oh no, Philip, no, you mustnt think that, cried Edith de Haviland. Dont regard this as another slight. It isnt. When people get old, they turn naturally to a younger generation I assure you its only that and besides, Aristide had a very keen business sense. Ive often heard him say that two lots of death duties
He never cared for me, said Philip. His voice was low and hoarse. It was always RogerRoger. Well, at leastan extraordinary expression of spite suddenly marred his handsome featuresfather realized that Roger was a fool and a failure. He cut Roger out, too.
What about me? said Eustace.
I had hardly noticed Eustace until now, but I perceived that he was trembling with some violent emotion. His face was crimson, there were, I thought, tears in his eyes. His voice shook as it rose hysterically.
Its a shame! said Eustace. Its a damned shame! How dare grandfather do this to me? How dare he? I was his only grandson. How dare he pass me over for Sophia? Its not fair. I hate him. I hate him. Ill never forgive him as long as I live. Beastly tyrannical old man. I wanted him to die. I wanted to get out of this house. I wanted to be my own master. And now Ive got to be bullied and messed around by Sophia, and be made to look a fool. I wish I was dead
His voice broke and he rushed out of the room.
Edith de Haviland gave a sharp click of her tongue.
No self-control, she murmured.
I know just how he feels, cried Magda.
Im sure you do, said Edith with acidity in her tone.
The poor sweet! I must go after him.
Now, Magda Edith hurried after her.
Their voices died away. Sophia remained looking at Philip. There was, I think, a certain pleading in her glance. If so, it got no response. He looked at her coldly, quite in control of himself once more.
You played your cards very well, Sophia, he said and went out of the room.
That was a cruel thing to say, I cried. Sophia
She stretched out her hands to me. I took her in my arms.
She stretched out her hands to me. I took her in my arms.
This is too much for you, my sweet.
I know just how they feel, said Sophia.
That old devil, your grandfather, shouldnt have let you in for this.
She straightened her shoulders.
He believed I could take it. And so I can. I wishI wish Eustace didnt mind so much.
Hell get over it.
Will he? I wonder. Hes the kind that broods terribly. And I hate father being hurt.
Your mothers all right.
She minds a bit. It goes against the grain to have to come and ask your daughter for money to put on plays. Shell be after me to put on the Edith Thompson one before you can turn round.
And what will you say? If it keeps her happy
Sophia pulled herself right out of my arms, her head went back.
I shall say No! Its a rotten play and mother couldnt play the part. It would be throwing the money away.
I laughed softly. I couldnt help it.
What is it? Sophia demanded suspiciously.
Im beginning to understand why your grandfather left you his money. Youre a chip off the old block[131], Sophia.
Chapter 21
My one feeling of regret at this time was that Josephine was out of it all. She would have enjoyed it all so much.
Her recovery was rapid and she was expected to be back any day now, but nevertheless she missed another event of importance.
I was in the rock garden one morning with Sophia and Brenda when a car drew up to the front door. Taverner and Sergeant Lamb got out of it. They went up the steps and into the house.
Brenda stood still, staring at the car.
Its those men, she said. Theyve come back, and I thought theyd given upI thought it was all over.
I saw her shiver.
She had joined us about ten minutes before. Wrapped in her chinchilla coat, she had said: If I dont get some air and exercise, I shall go mad. If I go outside the gate theres always a reporter waiting to pounce on[132] me. Its like being besieged. Will it go on for ever?
Sophia said that she supposed the reporters would soon get tired of it.
You can go out in the car, she added.
I tell you I want to get some exercise.
Then she said abruptly:
Youre giving Laurence the sack, Sophia. Why?
Sophia answered quietly:
Were making other arrangements for Eustace. And Josephine is going to Switzerland.
Well, youve upset Laurence very much. He feels you dont trust him.
Sophia did not reply and it was at that moment that Taverners car had arrived.
Standing there, shivering in the moist autumn air, Brenda muttered: What do they want? Why have they come?
I thought I knew why they had come. I said nothing to Sophia of the letters I had found by the cistern, but I knew that they had gone to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Taverner came out of the house again. He walked across the drive and the lawn towards us. Brenda shivered more violently.
What does he want? she repeated nervously. What does he want?
Then Taverner was with us. He spoke curtly in his official voice, using the official phrases.
I have a warrant here for your arrestyou are charged with administering eserine to Aristide Leonides on September 19th last. I must warn you that anything you say may be used in evidence at your trial.
And then Brenda went to pieces. She screamed. She clung to me. She cried out, No, no, no, it isnt true! Charles, tell them it isnt true! I didnt do it. I didnt know anything about it. Its all a plot. Dont let them take me away. It isnt true, I tell you It isnt true I havent done anything
It was horribleunbelievably horrible. I tried to soothe her, I unfastened her fingers from my arm. I told her that I would arrange for[133] a lawyer for herthat she was to keep calmthat a lawyer would arrange everything
Taverner took her gently under the elbow.
Come along, Mrs Leonides, he said. You dont want a hat, do you? No? Then well go off right away.
She pulled back, staring at him with enormous cats eyes.
Laurence, she said. What have you done to Laurence?
Mr Laurence Brown is also under arrest, said Taverner. She wilted then. Her body seemed to collapse and shrink. The tears poured down her face.
She went away quietly with Taverner across the lawn to the car. I saw Laurence Brown and Sergeant Lamb come out of the house. They all got into the car. The car drove away.
I drew a deep breath and turned to Sophia. She was very pale and there was a look of distress on her face.
Its horrible, Charles, she said. Its quite horrible.
I know.
You must get her a really first-class solicitorthe best there is. Sheshe must have all the help possible.
One doesnt realize, I said, what these things are like. Ive never seen anyone arrested before.
I know. One has no idea.
We were both silent. I was thinking of the desperate terror on Brendas face. It had seemed familiar to me and suddenly I realized why. It was the same expression that I had seen on Magda Leonides face the first day I had come to the crooked house when she had been talking about the Edith Thompson play.