The Angels Weep - Smith Wilbur - Страница 146

• Предыдущая
• 146/183
• Следующая

"It's strange to think that they are a part of us and we a part of them," she whispered. "That everything that is happening now had its roots in what they did and said." "Without a past there is no future," Craig repeated the words of Samson Kumalo, then went on, "that reminds me, I have something else I want to do before we go back to town." This time Craig did not have to be warned of the hidden turn-off, and he swung onto the track that led past the cemetery, down the avenues of spathodea trees to the whitewashed staff cottages of Khami Mission.

The first cottage in the row was deserted. There were no curtains in the windows and when Craig climbed up onto the porch and peered in, he saw the rooms were bare.

"Who are you looking for?" Janine asked, when he came back to the Land-Rover.

"A friend "A good friend?" "The best friend I ever had." He drove on down the hill to the hospital and parked again. He left Janine in the Land-Rover and went into the lobby. A woman came striding to meet him. She wore a white laboratory coat, and her unnaturally pale face was set in a belligerent frown. (I hope you haven't come here to harass and frighten our people," she began. "Here police mean trouble." "I'm sorry," Craig glanced down at his uniform. "It's a private matter. I am looking for a friend of mine. His family lived here. Samson Kumalo-" "Oh," the woman nodded.

"I recognize you now. You were Sam's employer. Well, he's gone."

"Gone? Do you know where?" "No," flatly, and unhelpfully. "His grandfather, Gideon-" "He's dead." "Dead?" Craig was appalled. "How?"

"He died of a broken heart when your people murdered someone who was dear to him. Now, if there is nothing more You want to know, we don't like uniforms." By the time they reached town it was late afternoon. Craig drove directly to his Yacht without asking her Bpermission, and when he parked under the mango trees, Janine made no comment, but climbed out and walked beside him to the ladder way

Craig put a tape on the recorder and opened a bottle of wine, then he brought down Sir Ralph's leather-bound journal that Bawu had loaned him, and they sat side by side on the bench in the saloon and pored over it. The faded ink and pencil drawings that decorated the margins delighted Janine, and when she came to a description of the locust plagues of the 1890s, she was captivated.

"The old geezer had a good eye." She studied his drawing of a locust. "He might have been a trained naturalist, just look at the detail." She glanced up at him sitting close beside her. He looked like a puppy, an adoring puppy. She deliberately closed the leather-bound book without taking her eyes from his. He leaned closer to her, and she made no effort to pull away. He covered her lips with his own, and felt them soften and part. Her huge slanted eyes closed, and the lashes were long and delicate as butterflies" wings.

After a long time she whispered huskily, "For God's sake, don't say anything stupid. just keep right on doing what you are doing at the moment." He obeyed, and it was she who broke the silence. Her voice was shaky.

"I hope you had enough forethought to make the bunk wide enough for two." Still he said nothing, but lifted her up in his arms and took her to see for herself.

"Do you know, I didn't realize it could be like that. "There was wonder in his voice, as he stared down at her, leaning on one elbow.

"It was so good and natural and easy." She traced a fingertip over his bare chest, drawing little circles around his nipples. "I like a hairy chest," she purred.

"I mean you know, I always felt it was such a solemn thing to do after vows and declarations." "The sound of organ music?" she giggled. "If you'll excuse the expression." "That's another thing," he said. "The only time I have ever heard you giggle is when you are doing it, or when you have just done it." "That's the only time I ever feel like giggling," she agreed, and giggled again. "Do be a pet and get the wineglasses." "Now what is so funny?" he demanded from the companion way.

"Your bottom is white and baby smooth no, don't cover it." While he hunted in the galley cupboard, she called from the cabin, "Do you have a tape of the "Pastoral"." "I think so." "Put it on, pet." Why? "will tell you when you come back to bed." She was sitting at the head of the bunk, stark naked in the lotus position. He put one of the wineglasses in her hand, and after a short struggle managed to twist his own long legs into the lotus and sat facing her.

"So tell me,"he invited.

"Don't be dense, Craig I mean isn't that just a perfect accompaniment?" Another great storm of music and love swept over them, leaving them clinging helplessly to each other, and in the aching silence that followed, she tenderly stroked back the sweat-damp hair that had fallen into his eyes.

It was too much for him. "I love you, "he blurted out. "Oh God, I love you so!" Almost roughly she pushed him aside, and sat up.

"You are a sweet funny boy, and a gentle considerate lover, but you do have an ungodly talent for saying stupid things at the wrong time." In the morning, she said, "You made dinner, so I'll make breakfast," and went to the galley wearing only one of his old shirts.

She had to roll the sleeves up and the tails dangled below her knees.

"You've got enough eggs and bacon to open your own restaurant were you expecting a visitor?" "Not expecting, but hoping," he called back from the shower. "Make mine sunny side up!" After breakfast she helped him install the big glittering stainless-steel winches on the maindeck. It needed someone to hold the gusset plates in position while he drilled and bolted through from the other side.

"You are very handy, aren't you?" she said. They had to shout at each other, for he was working below deck while she was perched on the edge of the cockpit.

• Предыдущая
• 146/183
• Следующая