Now, trying not to watch what went on, as Andrew and Sylvia fought with themselves, Frances raised her glass of Rioja -seven shillings a bottle, for this pleasant wine had yet to be 'discovered' and drank a toast to Progressive Education, an old joke which they all enjoyed.
Now, trying not to watch what went on, as Andrew and Sylvia fought with themselves, Frances raised her glass of Rioja -seven shillings a bottle, for this pleasant wine had yet to be 'discovered' and drank a toast to Progressive Education, an old joke which they all enjoyed.
Where's Julia?' came Sylvia's little voice.
An anxious silence. Then Andrew said, ' She doesn't come to meals with us. '
Why doesn't she? Why not? It's so lovely with you. '
This was a moment ofreal breakthrough, as Andrew described it later to Julia -'We've won, Julia, yes, we really have. ' Frances was gratified: she actually had tears in her eyes. Andrew put his arm around Sylvia and, smiling at his mother, said, Yes, it is. But Julia prefers to be up there by herself. '
Having unwittingly created a picture of what must be loneliness, it struck him, and he jumped up and said, Ill go and ask her again.' This was partly to relieve him of the burden and the challenge of his still scarcely touched plate. As he went out and up the stairs, Sylvia put down her spoon.
In a moment Andrew returned, and sat down with, ' She says perhaps she'll drop in later. '
This caused a moment not far from panic. In spite of Andrew's efforts on his grandmother's behalf, they all tended to see Julia as a kind of old witch, to be laughed at. The St Joseph's contingent could not know how Julia had wrestled for a week, two, with Sylvia's illness, sitting with her, bathing her, making her take mouthfuls of this and sips of that. Julia had hardly slept. And here was her reward, Sylvia, picking up her spoon again, watching Andrew lift his, as if she had forgotten how to use one.
The difficult moment passed, the kids appeased their teenage appetites, and Frances ate more than she usually would, to be an example to the two on her left. It was a wonderful evening, with an undertone of tenderness because of Sylvia and their concern for her. It was as if they were collectively putting their arms around her, while she got down one mouthful after another. Andrew too.
And then they saw she had gone white and was shaking. 'My father...' she whispered. 'I mean, it's my stepfather...'
'Oh, no,' said Colin, 'it's all right, he's gone to Cuba.'
'I'm afraid not, said Andrew, and leaped up to intercept Johnny, who was in the hall outside the kitchen. Andrew shut the door, but everyone could hear Johnny's bluff, reasonable, confident voice, and Andrew: 'No, father, no, you can't come in, I'll explain later. '
Voices loud, then low, and Andrew returned, leaving the door open, and slid down again beside Sylvia. He was red and angry, and he clutched his fork like a weapon.
But why isn't he in Cuba?' asked Colin, petulantly, like a child.
The brothers looked at each other, suddenly as one, exchanging understandings.
Andrew said, ' He hasn't left, but I expect he will. ' He added, still angry, 'Actually, I think he's going to Zanzibar or Kenya.' A pause, while the brothers communed, with their eyes and angry smiles. ' He's not alone, he's got a black man... a man from there... an African comrade.' These adjustments to the spirit of the times were followed carefully by the company. They had taken Africa into their hearts and consciences, the progressive schools had seen to that, and even Rose at a far from progressive school chose her words with, We've got to be nice to dark-skinned people, that's what I think. '
Sylvia had not recovered. Her spoon hung listless in her thin hand.
And now James, who was understandably at a loss, said, Why is he going to Africa instead of Cuba?'
At this the brothers laughed, together, and it was not pleasant, while Frances prevented herselffrom joining in, though she would have liked to. She had always tried never to criticise Johnny in public.
Colin said, like an orator, 'Keep them guessing,' and Frances, hearing the quote, had to laugh. 'That's it,' said Andrew, 'keep them guessing. '
Why are you laughing?' asked Sylvia, ' what's funny?'
Andrew at once stopped his mockery, and picked up his spoon again. But it was over, their meal, his and Sylvia's. ' Johnny's coming, ' he said to her. ' He's just getting something from the car. If you want to get out of the way...
Oh, yes, I do, yes, please, said Johnny's stepdaughter, and up she got, supported by Andrew's arm. The two went out. At least they had both eaten something.
Frances called after them, ' Tell Julia not to come down, otherwise they'll quarrel again. '
The meal continued, subdued.
The St Joseph contingent were talking about a book Daniel had stolen from a secondhand bookstall, The Ordeal of Richard Feverel. He had read it, said it was groovy, and the tyrannical father was just like his. He recommended it to Geoffrey who pleased him by saying it was great, and then the novel migrated to Sophie who said it was the best book she had ever read, it made her cry. Now Colin was reading it. Rose said, 'Why can't I read it? It isn't fair. '