an intonation of voice that he remembered from the old days when Mr Lee was first in England.
Tressilian shook his head dubiously. ‘Mr Lee is an invalid, sir. He doesn’t see many people now. If you – ’
The stranger interrupted. He drew out an envelope and handed it to the butler. ‘Please give this to Mr Lee.’
‘Yes, sir.’
V
Simeon Lee took the envelope. He drew out the single sheet of paper it held. He looked surprised. His eyebrows rose, but he smiled.
‘By all that’s wonderful!’ he said. Then to the butler: ‘Show Mr Farr up here, Tressilian.’
‘Yes, sir.’
Simeon said: ‘I was just thinking of old Ebenezer Farr. He was my partner out there in Kimberley. Now here’s his son come along!’
Tressilian reappeared. He announced: ‘Mr Farr.’
Stephen Farr came in with a trace of nervousness. He disguised it by putting on a little extraswagger. He said – and just for the moment his South African accent was more marked than usual: ‘Mr Lee?’
‘I’m glad to see you. So you’re Eb’s boy?’
Stephen Farr grinned rather sheepishly. He said: ‘My first visit to the old country. Father always told me to look you up if I did come.’
‘Quite right.’ The old man looked round. ‘This is my granddaughter, Pilar Estravados.’
‘How do you do?’ said Pilar demurely.
Stephen Farr thought with a touch of admiration: ‘Cool little devil.[99] She was surprised to see me, but it only showed for a flash.’
He said, rather heavily: ‘I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Estravados.’
‘Thank you,’ said Pilar.
Simeon Lee said: ‘Sit down and tell me all about yourself. Are you in England for long?’
‘Oh, I shan’t hurry myself now I’ve really got here!’ He laughed, throwing his head back.
Simeon Lee said: ‘Quite right. You must stay here with us for a while.’
‘Oh, look here, sir. I can’t butt in like that[100]. It’s only two days to Christmas.’
‘You must spend Christmas with us – unless you’ve got other plans?’
‘Well, no, I haven’t, but I don’t like – ’
Simeon said: ‘That’s settled.’ He turned his head. ‘Pilar?’
‘Yes, Grandfather.’
‘Go and tell Lydia we shall have another guest. Ask her to come up here.’
Pilar left the room. Stephen’s eyes followed her. Simeon noted the fact with amusement. He said: ‘You’ve come straight here from South Africa?’
‘Pretty well.’
They began to talk of that country. Lydia entered a few minutes later.
Simeon said: ‘This is Stephen Farr, son of my old friend and partner, Ebenezer Farr. He’s going to be with us for Christmas if you can find room for him.’
Lydia smiled. ‘Of course.’ Her eyes took in the stranger’s appearance. His bronzed face and blue eyes and the easy backward tilt of his head.
‘My daughter-in-law,’ said Simeon.
Stephen said: ‘I feel rather embarrassed – butting in on a family party like this.’
‘You’re one of the family, my boy,’ said Simeon. ‘Think of yourself as that.’
‘You’re too kind, sir.’
Pilar re-entered the room. She sat down quietly by the fire and picked up the hand screen. She used it as a fan, slowly tilting her wrist to and fro. Her eyes were demure and downcast.
Part 3
December 24th
I
‘Do you really want me to stay on here, Father?’ asked Harry. He tilted his head back. ‘I’m stirring up rather a hornet’s nest[101], you know.’
‘What do you mean?’ asked Simeon sharply.
‘Brother Alfred,’ said Harry. ‘Good brother Alfred! He, if I may say so, resents my presence here.’
‘The devil he does!’ snapped Simeon. ‘I’m master in this house.’
‘All the same, sir, I expect you’re pretty dependent on Alfred. I don’t want to upset – ’
‘You’ll do as I tell you,’ snapped his father.
Harry yawned. ‘Don’t know that I shall be able to stick a stay-at-home life. Pretty stifling to a fellow who’s knocked about the world[102].’
His father said: ‘You’d better marry and settle down.’
Harry said: ‘Who shall I marry? Pity one can’t marry one’s niece. Young Pilar is devilish attractive.’
‘You’ve noticed that?’
‘Talking of settling down, fat George has done well for himself as far as looks go[103]. Who was she?’
Simeon shrugged his shoulders. ‘How should I know? George picked her up at a mannequin parade, I believe. She says her father was a retired naval officer.’
Harry said: ‘Probably a second mate of a coasting steamer. George will have a bit of trouble with her if he’s not careful.’
‘George,’ said Simeon Lee, ‘is a fool.’
Harry said: ‘What did she marry him for – his money?’
Simeon shrugged his shoulders.
Harry said: ‘Well, you think that you can square Alfred all right?’
‘We’ll soon settle that,’ said Simeon grimly. He touched a bell that stood on a table near him. Horbury appeared promptly. Simeon said:
‘Ask Mr Alfred to come here.’
Horbury went out and Harry drawled: ‘That fellow listens at doors!’
Simeon shrugged his shoulders. ‘Probably.’
Alfred hurried in. His face twitched when he saw his brother. Ignoring Harry, he said pointedly: ‘You wanted me, Father?’
Cool little devil. – (
can’t butt in like that – (
I’m stirring up rather a hornet’s nest – (
who’s knocked about the world – (
has done well for himself as far as looks go – (
