A Star Looks Down Part 30

' They crossed the hall together, the very large man and the small boy, and went into the study, a room seldom entered by anyone when the master of the house was absent.

The profess or seated himself on the edge of the desk between the windows and said comfortably: "When you're ready, boy," and smiled.

He looked so placid that Dirk took heart.

"I took the boeier," he began.

"I wanted to make Beth frightened--I made the others go with me, and when she found us and tried to stop me I wouldn't, so she came too.

We had already cast off and she had to swim in all her clothes.

' He paused to look at his uncle who was studying his shoes, his face hidden, but "Go on," he was encouraged with no sign of anger.

"What happened next?

' the profess or added casually.

"Can Beth swim?

' "Only just she's a girl, you see she flounders.

' He went on in a shamed little voice: "We laughed at her and she must have been frightened." His uncle didn't reply, and something about his silence made Dirk hurry on. "I never meant to go so far, but the wind caught us and we couldn't turn back; we did try, but we almost capsized. We got frightened then, and Beth was scared too, but she didn't cry." "But you managed to steer some sort of course. Let us see, Bruin esse wasn't, too far, was it, or couldn't you beach the boat?" "We tried, ever so many times, but we couldn't get the engine to do anything, and Beth doesn't know anything about sailing, so it was a bit difficult. I did remember about Bruin esse, but the wind was too strong, and besides, we couldn't see the land." "So?" "So I steered and Beth found a chart of the engine and she got it to go. We were almost at Brouwershaven by then, so we that is, Beth, sailed into the harbour; she did something to the engine and it stopped and she got the sails down too, but we did b.u.mp one or two yachts.

Will Papa be very angry?

' "Furious, I daresay, but I suggest that we don't tell him until he is home again after his arrival at the airport.

' Nephew and uncle exchanged glances.

"And now I want to know why you allowed Beth to take the blame.

Dirk.

' The boy nodded, sucking in his breath.

"Yes, Uncle.

You see, I was afraid you would remember what you said would happen if I did anything silly again, like climbing that cliff, and--and I thought that Beth had sneaked on me and told you I'd been disobedient and rude.

' The profess or inspected his nails.

"She didn't sneak; she asked me not to punish you.

It was a pretty low-down thing to do, wasn't it.

Dirk?

' "Yes--I'm sorry; I like her very much.

When she came to say good-bye she was nice.

I wanted to tell someone then, but she said I wasn't to--she said it didn't matter--no, what she said was "Nothing matters any more" , but when she'd gone I knew I'd have to tell you and I asked Mama to telephone you.

Are you very angry.

Uncle Alexander?

How will you punish me?

' The profess or had got to his feet and put a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"I'm not going to punish you, boy," he said quietly.

"You've had enough already, I fancy.

Your father must know, of course--later, as I said.

Just promise me that you won't risk anyone else's life again, nor your own unless the circ.u.mstances call for it.

Word of a Dutchman.

' They shook hands solemnly and the profess or said: "It takes pluck to own up.

I'm glad you did.

' He walked to the door.

"Now I must be off.

' "Where to.

Uncle?

' "Why, England, of course, to find Beth.

' His nephew smiled shakily.

"Oh, super!

' "Let us hope so," agreed the profess or.

"Any idea how she went?

' "I asked Mother.

From the Hock by the midday boat.

' His uncle grinned suddenly.

"That means about eight o'clock at Liverpool Street.

If I cut a few corners and go from Ca lais with the Hovercraft--tell your mother where I've gone, and not a word about our little talk, we'll deal with that later.

Tot ziens.

'1 The crowd had thinned now; people had found family or friends, and those who had none had formed an orderly queue for the taxis.

Beth picked up her case and looked around her; she supposed that she would have to go somewhere.

St Elmer's; but wouldn't it look a bit strange turning up unheralded at half past eight in the evening?

She would go to the flat and hope that William wouldn't be there.

She started walking slowly along the platform and looked up to see the profess or walking very fast towards her.

Her first thought was that fate had played a cruel trick on her.

He often came to London; it would have to be this very day and time, and in all the city's vastness, they had to meet here.

She turned round and hurried, hampered dreadfully by the case, in the opposite direction.

No use, of course.

She was caught, the case taken from her and dumped on the platform, and she was twirled round, to be wrapped tenderly in Alexander's arms and kissed.

It was like having every happiness there was in the world, rolled into one and handed to her on a plate.

All the same, after an endless moment, she made herself say "No," in a half-hearted way.

"Yes," said the profess or, 'my darling girl, yes.

People kiss on railway stations, hadn't you noticed?

' He kissed her again, and Beth, who could think of nothing to say, kissed him back and then coming a little to her senses, said fiercely: "You didn't even ask me!

I couldn't stay another minute.

' "My poor little love!

I was out of my mind with worry, imagining you drowned why didn't you explain?

' The unfairness of this remark caused her to pull away from him, a useless thing to do, for he merely held her more tightly.

"Explain?

How could I explain when you were quite ready to believe that I'd taken the boat the last thing I'd do; I don't know one end from another, and I've never been so terrified.

' She looked up at him.

"Why are you laughing?

' Her violet eyes flashed with temper and then filled with tears.

"Oh, Alexander, you were so angry.

' "My little love, when the police telephoned and I knew that you were safe I wanted to kiss you and choke you and hug you you see, you had given me the fright of my life.

' He kissed her once more, and the porter who had come to a halt beside them waited patiently until he had done before asking: "Take your bag, sir?

' The profess or lifted his head and blinked at the man.

"There's a car parked behind the taxi rank, an Aston Martin put the case on the pavement beside it, will you?

' He took an arm from Beth and felt in a pocket and handed the man some coins.

As the man went away Beth said: "Someone will take it, you know.

' "We'll buy whatever you need tomorrow.

' She stared up at him.

"But what about tonight?

' He went on speaking as though he hadn't heard her.

Caundle Bubb we can be there in three hours no, four.

We'll have a meal on the way and I must telephone the hospital and get someone to take over for a day or two.

' "Why?

' asked Beth in an excited little voice.

"I thought we might get married.