‘No, I can’t say that I had,’ Edward admitted.
‘I don’t suppose you often drink tea here,’ said Jane. ‘It seems unsuitable for you to be here now.’
‘I often have a cup of tea while I’m waiting for a train.’
‘You don’t always drive down from London in your car, then?’
‘Oh, no. I feel I ought to travel by train sometimes.’
‘You mean you want to know what your constituents have to endure? The tea too weak or too strong, the stale sandwich, the grimy upholstery, the window that won’t open, the waiting on the draughty platform…’Jane could have gone on indefinitely, feeling like one of our great modern poets, had not Edward interrupted her with an embarrassed laugh.
‘You want to carry our burden as well as your own?’ went on Jane relentlessly.
‘Now you’re making fun of me,’ he said with a very sweet smile. ‘But at least let me carry your parcel. Look, here’s the train.’
‘I wasn’t really making fun of you,’ said Jane as they settled themselves in the carriage. ‘I was seeing you as a human being for the first time.’
‘Do I appear so unlike one, then?’
‘It isn’t your fault if you do. As Our Beloved Member you are naturally put on a pedestal, and when you come down it’s a bit like a clergyman going into a pub wearing his clerical collar. You see what I mean?’
‘One does want to get to know people,’ said Edward. ‘There is little opportunity for the sort of friendly conversation we are having now. It was very pleasant that Sunday afternoon at Fabian Driver’s, wasn’t it?’
‘Ah, yes; tea under the walnut tree. How long ago it seems!’
‘Your friend Miss Bates lives somewhere near Regent’s Park, doesn’t she?’ Edward asked. ‘I was wondering if I might run across her one day.’
‘She has been on holiday,’ said Jane, a sudden hope rising within her. ‘But I expect she will be coming to stay with us again quite soon.’
‘Then I shall look forward to meeting her again.’
They parted at the station, but Jane was a little absent-minded in her leave-taking, for she was full of a wonderful new idea. Edward and Prudence…. Why hadn’t it occurred to her before? Prudence living at the Towers, a much more worthy setting for her than Fabian Driver’s house. The sound of footsteps hurrying behind her and Edward’s voice calling that she had forgotten her parcel broke into her dream.
‘My parcel?’ she said in a dazed voice. ‘Why, of course! Thank you so much.’ Her parcel, the proof of the good work she had done in the bookshop, nearly left behind, and all because she had been matchmaking again!
‘Well, dear,’ said Nicholas, appearing at the front door, ‘how was Prudence?’
‘Oh, very well,’ said Jane enthusiastically. ‘And look, I’ve remembered to get books for the Confirmation candidates. The assistant was so helpful.’
‘Splendid, dear,’ said Nicholas. ‘And I’m glad Prudence isn’t taking this business too much to heart.’
Jane looked at the clock in the hall. It said five-past six.
‘Dear Prue,’ she said. ‘I suppose she will be waiting in the bus queue now, or going out somewhere with Conjunction of the Mind and Opposition of the Stars.’
But in this she was wrong, for at five minutes to six Prudence had received a summons to Arthur Grampian’s room.
‘Well, really, Miss Bates,’ said Miss Clothier. ‘I call that most inconsiderate. Whatever can he want at this time?’
‘I should be inclined to go in wearing your hat and coat,’ said Miss Trapnell. ‘Then he will see that you are not to be trifled with.’
‘I shall be quite firm,’ said Prudence. ‘In any case, I have an engagement this evening.’
‘She and Mr. Manifold are going to the cinema,’ said Miss Clothier to Miss Trapnell. ‘I happen to know that.’
‘I wonder if she has met his aunt yet?’ asked Miss Trapnell in a tone full of meaning.
Prudence went to Arthur Grampian’s room and looked in through the open door. He was sitting at his desk wearing an overcoat, although the gas-fire was full on and all the windows shut.
‘Did you want me for something?’ Prudence asked.
‘Ah, Prudence’ — he came towards her and took her hand — ‘the melancholy mood is upon me this evening.’
‘Is something the matter, then?’
‘Not more than usual, but I have a desire for charming company. I hoped that you might be able to dine with me.’ He looked at her intently, but could not see if there were tears in her eyes.
‘I’m afraid I have an engagement this evening,’ said Prudence firmly. ‘You had better go and have dinner at your club. Perhaps we could go out some other time?’
She stooped to turn out the gas-fire and then began tidying his desk. Let him go among the bishops tonight, she thought, suddenly overwhelmed by the richness of her life. We have many more evenings before us if we want them.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Barbara Pym, Jane and Prudence
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