Free The adulteress by 1906- Philippa Carr Page B

would be stirring soon—a polite way of expressing what I meant. It only wanted a quarter to four.
    I leaned over the bed and kissed his forehead. I did not want to be caught by Jessie with the papers in my hand. I tapped them significantly. "I will deal with these," I said, "and I'll see you later . . . alone."
    He smiled at me and I went out.
    The first thing to do was to hide the papers. I pondered for a while and finally decided to put them in the pocket of a rather voluminous skirt which was hanging in the cupboard. It would only be for a short while as I must get them to the lawyer at the earliest possible moment.
    I sat by the window and saw Jessie return to the house, looking rather flushed and pleased, so the session must have

    been a good one. I imagined her telling her lover about my arrival and I wondered what they said about it. I was getting to get a clear picture. Jessie was obviously feathering her nest and, as Jethro said, Lordy was supplying the feathers. Jessie, devoted to the pleasures of the flesh, was determined to enjoy them—relying on Uncle Carl and Amos to supply her needs. I believed she was very shrewd and would have considered the possible impermanence of her position; no doubt she was endeavoring to prolong this very desirable way of life.
    While I was ruminating there was a tap on my door and Jessie herself came in. She was elaborately dressed and must have spent the hour since her return on what I imagined must be a somewhat intricate operation.
    She was smiling broadly and I did not think she could possibly have an inkling of what had happened during her absence.
    "Supper is about fifteen minutes past six," she said. "I see to Lordy at six and that gives me time to make sure he is all right before partaking myself. I shall be taking his up now ... so can you be at the table shortly? There's sucking pig." Her mouth watered and her eyes glistened at the mention of the food. "It's best served piping hot."
    I said I would be on time; and she gave me a little push.
    "That's it," she said. "I can see you're one of the punctual ones. I never could abide them as kept good food getting cold just because they couldn't be at the table on time. Had a good afternoon? Manage to entertain yourself, did you?"
    There was a shrewd glitter in her eyes and she was waiting as though for me to tell her. I felt a cold shiver run through me. This woman, I felt sure, was not quite what she seemed. I had to work hard to prevent my eyes straying to the cupboard.
    I said coolly: "I had a very pleasant afternoon, thank you. Did you?"
    "I did. There's nothing like a spell of bed in the afternoons."
    I nodded and turned away.
    "All right then," she said. "See you at supper."
    And she was gone.
    How could Uncle Carl endure such a woman? I wondered. But then people had strange tastes, and there was no accounting for them.

    I went to the winter parlor precisely at a quarter past six. Jessie was there and with her Evalina.
    "He's enjoying the sucking pig," said Jessie. "It's nice to see him take an interest in his food."
    We sat down and fortunately Jessie was so intent on doing justice to the business of eating that she did not talk as much as usual.
    Evalina said: "Do you like fairs, Mistress Ransome?"
    "Fairs?" I said. "Oh yes, I do."
    "We have one here twice a year. It's coming next week."
    "Oh, that's interesting."
    "The noise!" said Jessie. "And the mess they make! Farmer Brady will go on for weeks about the rubbish they leave behind. They have the common land close to some of Brady's fields. He don't like it much. People come from miles around."
    "I like it," said Evalina. "There are fortune-tellers. Do you believe in fortune-tellers, Mistress Ransome?"
    "I believe them when they tell me something good," I said, "but am inclined to disbelieve if it is bad."
    "That's not very clever. If they tell you something bad you should be warned."
    "But what's the good if it is written in the stars?" I said lightly.
    Evalina