My good man, it has nothing to do with the case.
I saved a mans life. And now I cant say whos to live in my own house.
Mr Bolt, Ive already told you, its irrelevant.
He was a Lascar. And what gratitude do I get, nothing!
Rose hissed resignedly: Oh, my God, that tears it, if hes going to start. I hope he doesnt forget to tell how he did six months hard for nearly killing a man in a bar. She took out her knitting, which she had brought with her in case of just such an emergency.
Counsel, the lawyer, and various knots of people in doorways or seated on the benches had their eyes fixed on Dan. Every one of them looked slightly irritated. It was the facinated irritation caused by a phenomenon we dont understand. The fact was, Dan was holding their attention simply by sitting there, and they didnt know why. The angry power of his body was not evident, muffled as it was in the commonplace suit. And his face expressed nothing but the desire to express it was long, flattish, yellowish, and almost contorted with his frustration at not being able to communicate.
Yes, he was a Lascar, said Dan, aggrieved, a black man if you like, but he was human, and I could have died.
Yes, yes, yes, said Counsel, Dan turned the hot beam of his eyes at him, and the boy became silent.
There I stood on deck, said Dan. We had docked that day. He was remembering it so powerfully that although he did not move a muscle, we stood on deck with him. It was a black night and dead quiet. I heard a splash. He closed his eyes a moment. There was a silence. He still had not moved. His great hands lay in loose fists on the table before him, not moving. Yet we heard ripples flow out and break softly against enclosing dock walls. I looked over. Dan stared ahead of him, not blinking. We saw him bent over a rail at a black cold sea. There was nothing, he said. But I had my duty. I climbed and jumped. Even Rose let her knitting lie in her lap, and became part of the story. I went down and down, my arms above my head. Dan clenched his fist and the cloth of his sleeves bulged out. For a terrifying moment we watched him sink through the lightless harbour water under the black hulls of ships, I saw him. I grabbed. Dans body stiffened slightly. His hand opened and the fingers flexed rigid on the palm. We saw the hand clutch at something slippery. I pulled him to the surface by the hair. He was fighting, I hit him. Dan clenched his fists tight, his head went back, his chin came forward, he half-shut his eyes. I shouted. No one heard. No one on deck. Everyone on shore. First night in harbour for six weeks. I held him and I shouted. I held him and I shouted again. Then I dragged him up the side of the ship. Dan gripped his teeth together and the veins swelled in his neck. We saw him heave the Lascar up the ships dark side. I put him on deck and worked on him till he came round, ft was a Lascar. Drunk. Can you blame him, sir? The officers mess sent for me. Dan, have a drink, they said. Sir, thank you, I said. But Ive had enough for one night. Ask me for a drink another night. Dan half-shut his eyes, and looked woodenly dignified. The Captain came to me. Now Dans deliberate stupidity was an insult to all authority. I wont forget this my man. Sir, said Dan, and he suddenly saluted, with a smart quiver. The shock of that movement was like being slapped: it was only when his hand quivered at his temple that we realized he had told the story without gesture, with no more than an occasional tightening of a muscle. It was with a sting of astonishment that we saw the man was still sitting on the bench by the table. He had come to himself, sitting loosely, looking around dazedly, mouth open over prominent white teeth, taking in the bare dusty room filled with the fancy-dress gentlemen in their curly wigs and black robes. Yes, he said. Yes. Then he violently crashed his fist on to the table and shouted: But that doesnt help me, does it? Ill never forget this, my man, the Captain said to me, and thats the last I heard. Justice, they call it. Justice!
Dan, said Flo, warningly, giving ingratiating smiles to everyone.
I dont care who hears, shouted Dan, over the drone from the Court, through a door left slightly open because of the heat. Someone from inside the Court tiptoed over and shut the door. Every eye followed the squat figure in folds and tags and pleats of grimy black, who frowned at us so portentously that the young Counsel blushed: he, like the rest of us, had forgotten his surroundings. Not so loud, please, he said.
Yes, sir, said Dan automatically.
There was a high titter from the other doorway. The old lady, white-faced and trembling with hatred, glared in at us from among other faces, which were curious or amused or indignant. Our lawyer gave her a puzzled glance and might have asked who she was, but Dan was speaking again. When I left the Navy I had four hundred pounds. Do you know how I got that?
Yes, sir, said Dan automatically.
There was a high titter from the other doorway. The old lady, white-faced and trembling with hatred, glared in at us from among other faces, which were curious or amused or indignant. Our lawyer gave her a puzzled glance and might have asked who she was, but Dan was speaking again. When I left the Navy I had four hundred pounds. Do you know how I got that?
There are certain traditions of the British Navy, said Counsel, conveying that he found the word Navy, on Dans lips, repulsive.
Oh. I know that, said Dan, as if delighted to be reminded, sharing them, so to speak, with Counsel, For people with the money theres nothing like it. I was personal servant once to the Surgeon Commander. His wife was in England. Ah, he knew how to enjoy himself. There was a girl. She fell for my boss. Five months of it, every night, war or no war, being stuck in harbour on account of a torpedo. I used to let her out, three, four in the morning, five shillings a time. Plenty of money there. Dan, she used to say. I know you are my friend. Yes, miss, I used to say. She was a lovely girl. Black hair. Black eyes. Lovely figure. Dan let his fingers curve together on the table, with such appreciation that various eminent legal gentlemen winced and looked away. I used to sit down below and envy him. Then his wife came. She went sniffing about in his pyjamas and all over. Dan imitated a cold shrewish drawl: Really, darling, I cannot think what youve been doing. She thought all right. She used to come to me, smiling sweet as cherries in syrup. Dan, I do hope my husband has been comfortable? And shed give me a look to kill. Dan, without moving his head, let his eyes move in a cold curious stare from Counsels face, to the lawyers. But sixpence, thats all. He bared his teeth in a silent, contemptuous laugh. And all the time, my boss was hanging around trying to hear. Hed come in, casual. Women are curious, hed say. Theyre as curious as monkeys. Id say: Thats right, sir. Wear the life out of a man, a curious woman. They go on and go on until you think whats the use, might as well tell and be done with it. Dan stuck his fist into his left pocket and brought out an imaginary note. His right hand accepted his note with oft-hand gratitude, stuffing it carelessly into the other pocket. Thats right, hed say. But its worth keeping your mouth shut in the long run. Dan heaved out more soundless laughter. In one way and another I did well out of that couple.
Tell them about the nylons, shouted Flo. go on, tell them. Dan froze. What nylons?
You know, the nylons Flo saw she had made a mistake, and sat smiling pathetically, while Dan glared at her.
Rose whispered to me: Dan brought in nylons all through the war, he wound them round and round his body under the uniform. A smuggler, thats what he was.
Dan said hastily, And so thats how I bought ray house, fair and square, with four hundred pounds I had after the war.
My house. My house! came a shrill voice from the door.
Who is that? asked Counsel sharply.
Thats those dirty old beasts, dear, said Flo. Them what were here for.
Good God, said the lawyer. He dropped his voice: How long have they been listening? He rose and slammed the door.
But I didnt know youd mind, said Flo. They always listen, dear. Thats what theyre like.
Well. I really dont know! said the Counsel. He looked at his watch. It was nearly lunchtime.
So if the Judge could take my war service and the Lascar into account, said Dan, remembering why he had begun his confidences.
Im going to lunch, said Counsel, and went, deeply offended. The lawyer went with us to lunch, to make sure nothing worse could happen. It was a difficult meal. Dans bad temper had focused itself on Jack. Yes, he kept saying, belligerently. Yes. And if we lose the case Ill know who to thank.
Now, now, the lawyer said. Now, now. Its not everyone who can make a good witness.
Thats right, sweetheart, said Flo, trying to shield her son, And he took a day off from work and all to help you.
Work, said Dan. Work. Its not everyone who can work, either.
Jack, why dont you run along off to the pictures, said Rose.
But I want to see what happens in Court, said Jack.
Rose signalled to him with her eyes that Dan should be avoided: but Jack said: The Courts for nothing, and Id have to pay for the pictures.
Thats right, said Flo, trying to smile her man into good temper. And so it wont cost nothing if he stays.
You can say cost, said Dan. You can say it, youre always saying youre short of money, and I know where it goes.
Now, now, said the lawyer. Theres our case to consider. Lets all keep calm and cool.
Our case was on first after lunch. We went into the Court with Counsels anxious voice in our ears: Do be careful what you say, please, please.
They put Dan into the witness-box first. As soon as he was asked a question he replied: I served my King and my Country, sir. Yes, yes, yes, said our Counsel, in a coldly disapproving voice. But! did. All through the war. Whats that? said the ludge. Counsel, very irritated, said that this man had served in the Navy. So I see from his papers, said the Judge, indifferently. Dans face darkened. His mouth had already opened in a shout of Justice! when Counsel hastily dismissed him, and before they had time to establish even one of the rehearsed points.
Counsel now made a long and efficient statement, from which it appeared the old people were a variety of maniacal criminal. Everyone listened in a matter-of-fact way, like actors at a play. How well he does it, the Court officials seemed to be thinking, as they listened to the earnest and accomplished young man practising a sober rhetoric which would one day take him to far more impressive surroundings than these, to argue big cases, important cases, involving large sums of money and large reputations. They were watching him as if he were a promising schoolboy in his last year, overripe to show what he could do in the great world; and when he concluded, elaborately grave, his voice sinking to a well-sustained note of quiet confidence, the Judge nodded, as if to say. Yes, yes, youll go far. Then he returned to his notes.