from India.’
‘India? India, d’you say? Remember a fellow—Army man. Knew that old rascal Mohammed Hassan who cheated me over some carpets. Had a young wife—and a baby—little girl.’
‘That was me,’ said Gwenda firmly.
‘In—deed—you don’t say so! Well, well, time flies. Now what was his name? Wanted a place furnished—yes—Mrs Findeyson had been ordered to Egypt or some such place for the winter—all tomfoolery. Now what was his name?’
‘Halliday,’ said Gwenda.
‘That’s right, my dear—Halliday. Major Halliday. Nice fellow. Very pretty wife—quite young—fair-haired, wanted to be near her people or something like that. Yes, very pretty.’
‘Who were her people?’
‘No idea at all. No idea. You don’t look like her.’
Gwenda nearly said, ‘She was only my stepmother,’ but refrained from complicating the issue. She said, ‘What did she look like?’
Unexpectedly Mr Galbraith replied: ‘Looked worried. That’s what she looked, worried. Yes, very nice fellow, that Major chap. Interested to hear I’d been out in Calcutta. Not like these chaps that have never been out of England. Narrow—that’s what they are. Now I’ve seen the world. What was his name, that Army chap—wanted a furnished house?’
He was like a very old gramophone, repeating a worn record.
‘St Catherine’s. That’s it. Took St Catherine’s—six guineas a week—while Mrs Findeyson was in Egypt. Died there, poor soul. House was put up for auction—who bought it now? Elworthys—that’s it—pack of women—sisters. Changed the name—said St Catherine’s was Popish. Very down on anything Popish—Used to send out tracts. Plain women, all of ’em—Took an interest in natives—Sent ’em out trousers and bibles. Very strong on converting the heathen.’
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