Free (3/13) News from Thrush Green by Miss Read Page A

terrible—' She shook her head desperately, and a tear flew into the fire and sizzled.
    'It's brought it home to me. We simply can't go on like this. I think I must make up my mind to go forward with a divorce. I suppose I've been evading it really - hoping, just stupidly hoping. The very idea of solicitors and courts and settlements and all the other beastly details absolutely revolts me. But I see now I must face it. He's only too pleased to give me grounds,' she added bitterly.
    She sat down beside Winnie on the couch and took her hand.
    'What would you do? What would you do if you were wretched me?'
    Winnie put a comforting arm round the girl's shoulders.
    'I should wait until tomorrow before doing anything. You've been brave and patient for so long, keep it up for a little longer. By that time it won't hurt so much and you'll tackle things better.'
    The girl nodded dumbly.
    'Don't write,' cautioned Winnie, 'don't telephone, don't talk to anyone about it until you've slept on it. No one will learn anything from me, I promise you. Then why not talk it over with your parents?'
    'They died some years ago. I was an only child:'
    'Is there someone else? A cousin, say, or a family friend?'
    'Not that I could discuss this with. I would sooner tell our old family solicitor. He's wise and kind ... a real friend.'
    'Then why not go to him?'
    'I'll do that,' whispered Phil huskily. 'It's keeping up appearances before Jeremy which is so hard. I've cried all day. Thank God he didn't seem to notice much at dinner time.'
    'Let me walk across to the school when the children finish,' said Winnie, 'and take him back with me to tea.'
    'No, really—'
    'Please. I should love it, and it will give you a chance to get over the shock a little. I'll bring him back before half past six.'
    She stood up and kissed the girl's pale cheek gently.
    'Go and have a warm bath,' she advised. 'Hot water truly is the benison that Rupert Brooke said it was. And then give yourself a tot of something strong. You'll feel twice the girl.'
    'You are an angel,' cried Phil, accompanying her to the door. 'I've done nothing but moan; and I haven't given you a chance to tell me what brings you here.'
    Silently, Winnie held up the poppy tin.
    'Of course I'll do it,' said Phil warmly. 'I can't weep for ever.'

    Winnie's nephew Richard arrived the following week. He seemed genuinely grateful for his aunt's hospitality, and set himself out to be exceptionally charming to Doctor Bailey.
    To Winnie's eye he looked very fit and lively, having acquired a fine tan in America which set off his pale hair and blue eyes. But it was not long before symptoms of the hypochondria which had always been present showed themselves in strength.
    Two small bottles of pills stood by his plate at the first evening meal, and naturally excited the professional interest of his uncle.
    'I find them indispensable,' said Richard. 'Otto - Professor Otto Goldstein, you know, the dietician - prescribed them for me. The red ones take care of the cholesterol, and these yellow and black torpedoes check acidity and act as a mild purge. Constipation is a terrible enemy.'
    'You need a few prunes,' said the doctor, 'and a bit of roughage.'
    'Donald!' protested Winnie. 'Must you? At table?'
    'Sorry, my dear, sorry,' said her husband.
    'Too bad of me,' apologised Richard. 'Living alone such a lot makes one over-interested perhaps in one's natural functions.'
    Winnie felt that this could lead to somewhat alarming disclosures which might be regretted by all. She changed the subject abruptly.
    'You must meet our new neighbour,' she said brightly, passing her nephew Brussels sprouts. He held up a stern denying hand.
    'Not for me, Aunt Winnie. Not cooked greens, I fear. Quite forbidden by Otto because of the gases. You haven't two or three raw ones, by any chance?'
    'Not washed,' replied Winnie shortly, passing the rejected dish to her husband. She was keenly aware of the smile which hovered round the old doctor's