I have a small boy, I said, with dread.
Thats right, said Flo instantly. Rose said so, when she phoned us. Thats nice, dear. He can play with Oar. We like kids. Dont we. Dan?
Dan said, Thats right, and meant it.
And Rose likes kids, too. We all do.
Is Rose a relation?
Oh no. She lives here, see, because shes going to marry Dans brother. But here Dan frowned; glances were exchanged and Dan said: Well, how do you like it?
How much? I said. Three pairs of eyes exchanged glances. At last Flo asked: How much did you think of paying?
Dan was calculating, his yellow eyes on my clothes. Have you got a lot of cases? he enquired.
Far too many. At this, the three faces became extremely businesslike, and Flo said: You wouldnt think four pounds too much, would you, dear? At once she grinned in an abashed way, when Dan glared at her.
Yes, I would, I said, and picked up my handbag from the bed.
Shes made a mistake, said Dan scowling. He was furious with Flo, and she instinctively wrung her hands and appealed to him with her eyes for forgiveness like a small girl. The price is thirty-five shillings, he said.
Of course it is, said Flo apologetically. I was thinking of the rooms downstairs.
One pound fifteen. I said.
Thirty-five shillings, corrected Flo. They waited again, their eyes fixed anxiously on my face.
Ill get my things over. I said. And Ill fetch my son.
For the next few minutes I was the passive victim of their exclamations of delight and welcome. They showed me how to use the gas-stove. And Flo kept saying: Look, its ever so easy, dear, as she pulled the shoelace that had been suspended from the electric light, look, it just goes on and off as you pull it, see?
Finally they went downstairs, smiling at each other.
i heard Flo say in an offended offhand voice to Dan: Oh, shut up, shes taken it, hasnt she?
I got over my luggage and stacked it in the slant under the roof. By climbing on to a trunk in the middle of the room I could see over through the skylights into a brick channel between the outer wall and the roof which was filled with damp and blackened refuse fragments of brick, bits of paper, scraps of rag. From this channel were propped some planks which shored up the roof. Flo, who had come up with the luggage, sat on the bed watching me anxiously, and anticipating any criticism I might have been tempted to make with defensive or encouraging remarks, We had the blitz, dear, she kept saying. We had it ever so bad. It was right through this part, because of that station, see? The Governments going to mend everything for us, when they get around to it. I dont know what theyre doing, weve filled in the forms and all, over and over again.
I fetched my son, and at once he vanished into the basement with Aurora. Later, exhausted with the warmth and the welcome of the family downstairs, he fell asleep, saying he liked this house and he wanted to stay in it.
This upset me, because in the meantime I had decided it was impossible; in spite of my having suddenly understood that this was indubitably a garret, and that I had fulfilled the myth to its limit, and without any conscious intention on my part. There was no room in this garret to put a typewriter, let alone to unpack my things. I would have to start again.
Then I remembered Flo had said something about rooms downstairs. I went down to see Rose about it.
When she opened her door to me I at first did not recognize her; she looked like her own daughter. She had just taken a bath, and wore a white wool dressing-gown. Her black hair was combed loose, and her face was pale, soft and young, with dark smudges of happiness under the eyes. Her mouth, revealed, was small and sad, She said, with formality, Come in, dear. Im sorry the room is untidy. The room was very small and neat; it had a look of intense privacy, as a room does when every-article means a great deal to the person living in it. Rose had brought her bed and her small easy chair and her linen from her own home. The curtains and bedcover had pink and blue flowers; and there was a cherry-pink rug on the black-painted floor. That everything she touched or wore should be perfectly clean and tidy was important to her; she was one of the most instinctively fastidious people I have ever known. Now she pushed forward her little blue-covered armchair, waited until I had sat down, and said, smiling with pleasure: Im glad you came. I like some company.
I came to ask about the room Flo mentioned is there another one free in the house?
At once she looked sorrowful and guilty; and by now I knew her well enough to understand why. Her loyalties were in conflict. She said: I dont rightly know. Youd better ask Flo. She blushed and said hastily: Of course that place upstairs isnt fit for a pet cat, let alone a woman with a kid. She added: But Flo and Danll be good to that kid of yours. They really like kids. Yes, I know, I said. Thats the trouble. I see your trouble, she said. She hesitated. If there was a room going, and Im not saying because I dont know its like this, see Flo and Dan are new in this house business, they have fancy ideas about the rent theyre going to get. And they never thought theyd let that dump upstairs at all see, at least, not for so much. Of course, youre a foreigner, and dont know yet.
I see, I said. Ill ask Flo, then.
Yes, that would be better for me. Im a friend of hers, see?
Of course.
About that other place you saw did you see it?
Yes, I began to tell her, but she knew about the house. I know because I get to know all sorts of things, working in that shop. But was there anything about someone kicked out?
A Mr MacNamara. I said. Her face changed with rich suddenness into a delighted appreciation.
Mr MacNamara, is he? The son of a rich lord from Ireland?
I dont know about the lord.
She sat on the bed, and regarded me patiently.
Theres a lot you dont, she said. If hes Mr MacNamara to you, then watch out. You didnt give him money, did you?
I admitted it. To my surprise, she was not scornful, but worried for me, Then watch out. Hell be after some more. Didnt you see what he was like?
Yes, I did. Its hard to explain I began, but she nodded and said: I know what you mean. Well, dont you feel too bad. Hes got a real gift for it. Youd be surprised the people he diddles. He did my boss out of twenty quid once, and to this day she wonders what came over her. And now you take my advice and have nothing to do with him. Mr MacNamara. Well I remember when he was a barrow-boy, and he knows I remember it, selling snaps and snails and puppy-dogs tails for what he could get. But even then he had his head on the right way, for the next thing was, he had his own car and it was paid for. Thats the trouble with him its not what you call a spiv, at least, not all the time. One minute hes got his hand in the gas-meter and the next hes doing real business.
Well, thank you for telling me.
She hesitated. Then she said in a rush: I like you, see. We can be friends. And not everyones like Flo I dont want you to be thinking that. She added guiltily Its because shes a foreigner, its not her fault.
What kind of a foreigner?
Im not saying anything against her; dont think it. Shes English really. She was born here. But her grandmother was Italian, see? She comes from a restaurant family. So she behaves different. And then the trouble is. Dan, isnt a good influence not that Im saying a word against him.
Isnt he English?
Not really, hes from Newcastle. Theyre different from us, up in places like that. Oh no, hes not English, not properly speaking.
And you?
She was confused at once. Me, dear? But Ive lived in London all my life. Oh. I see what you mean I wouldnt say I was English so much as a Londoner, see? Its different.
I see, I said.
You going out? she asked, offhand.
I thought of wandering about and having a look.
I understand.
I did not know she wanted to come with me. Coming to a new country, you dont think of people being lonely, but having full lives into which you intrude. But she was looking forlorn, and I said: Dont you go out in the evenings?
Not much. Well, not these days I dont. It gives me the ump, sitting around.
Flo said you were engaged to Dans brother.
She was very shocked, Engaged! She blushed. Oh no, dear. You mustnt say things like that, youll put ideas into my head.
Im sorry. Flo said you might be marrying him.
Yes, thats so. I might be, you could say that. She sighed. Then she giggled, and gave me a playful nudge with her elbow. Engaged! The things you say, you make me laugh.
Flos voice sounded up the stairs: Theres a gentleman to see you. Rose, tell her theres a gentleman.
How does she know Im with you?
She said: Its easy to think Flos stupid. Because she is. But not about knowing what goes on.
But I dont know anyone, I said.
Oh, go on. Dont you know who it is?
How should I?
Its Mr Bobby Brent, Mr MacNamara to you. Silly.
Oh! I got up from the chair.
Youre not going, she said, shocked. Tell Flo to send him off.
But I think Im interested, after what youve said.
Interested?
I mean. Ive never met anyone tike him before.
She was puzzled. Then, unmistakably hurt. I did not understand why. Yes? was all she said. She turned back to her dressing-table and began brushing her hair out.
Roses yes was the most expressive of monsyllabies. It could be sceptical, give you the lie direct, accuse you, reject you. This time it meant: Interested, are you? Weil. I cant afford to be interested in scoundrels. Fancy yourself, dont you?
Whenever, in the future. I was interested in a person or a situation which did not have her moral approval, she would repudiate me with precisely that Yes?
But her good heart overcame her disapproval, for she said as I left the room: If you must you must. But dont let him get his hands on to your money.
Flo was in the hall with Mr MacNamara. As I came down the stairs he was saying: Its a little matter. A hundred nicker. And itd double itself in a year. He had the full force of his hard brown stare on her. She was bashfully languishing, like a peasant girl. She tore her gaze away from his face, to say almost absently: I told your friend. I told him for you. Youve got a flat with us.
Yes. I have, I said. Flo was again looking up into his face. Dand know best, she said. You must talk to Dan.
Ill talk it over with him. But I want you to talk it over with him first, Mrs Boh. Youve got a real head for business. I can see at a glance.