Volume Ii Part 8 (1/2)

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. You're not to worry over your work. And by the way, I promised your father to make you eat more. [FREDA smiles.]

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. It's all very well to smile. You want bracing up.

Now don't be naughty. I shall give you a tonic. And I think you had better put that cloak away.

FREDA. I'd rather have one more try, my lady.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. [Sitting doom at her writing-table] Very well.

FREDA goes out into her workroom, as JACKSON comes in from the corridor.

JACKSON. Excuse me, my lady. There's a young woman from the village, says you wanted to see her.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. Rose Taylor? Ask her to come in. Oh! and Jackson the car for the meet please at half-past ten.

JACKSON having bowed and withdrawn, LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE rises with worked signs of nervousness, which she has only just suppressed, when ROSE TAYLOR, a stolid country girl, comes in and stands waiting by the door.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. Well, Rose. Do come in!

[ROSE advances perhaps a couple of steps.]

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. I just wondered whether you'd like to ask my advice.

Your engagement with Dunning's broken off, isn't it?

ROSE. Yes--but I've told him he's got to marry me.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. I see! And you think that'll be the wisest thing?

ROSE. [Stolidly] I don't know, my lady. He's got to.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. I do hope you're a little fond of him still.

ROSE. I'm not. He don't deserve it.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE: And--do you think he's quite lost his affection for you?

ROSE. I suppose so, else he wouldn't treat me as he's done. He's after that--that--He didn't ought to treat me as if I was dead.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. No, no--of course. But you will think it all well over, won't you?

ROSE. I've a--got nothing to think over, except what I know of.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. But for you both to marry in that spirit! You know it's for life, Rose. [Looking into her face] I'm always ready to help you.

ROSE. [Dropping a very slight curtsey] Thank you, my lady, but I think he ought to marry me. I've told him he ought.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. [Sighing] Well, that's all I wanted to say. It's a question of your self-respect; I can't give you any real advice. But just remember that if you want a friend----

ROSE. [With a gulp] I'm not so 'ard, really. I only want him to do what's right by me.

LADY CHEs.h.i.+RE. [With a little lift of her eyebrow--gently] Yes, yes--I see.