Power of the Sword - Smith Wilbur - Страница 93

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General Smuts has been asking for you. She changed direction again in that disconcerting mercurial fashion of hers. We are sitting under the oaks behind the stand. Why don't you and your wife join us there? She turned away from him and the throng of her guests opened before her.

Blaine wheeled Isabella slowly across the smooth carpet of mown Kikuyu grass towards the group under the oaks.

The weather had blessed Centaine's tournament; the sky was heron's-egg blue with a silver burst of cloud hanging stationary over the peak of Muizenberg and another thick mattress laid over the massif of Table Mountain that standing cloud known as the table cloth'.

It was windy, of course. It was always windy in December, but Weltevreden was tucked into a protected corner of the Constantia valley; passing overhead, the southeaster froufroued the top leaves of the oaks, barely flickering at the women's skirts, but alleviating what would have been oppressive heat, and sweetening the air to earn its nickname the Cape doctor'.

When she saw Blaine coming, Centaine waved the white jacketed waiter aside and poured champagne with her own hand and brought the glass to Isabella.

Thank, you, no, Isabella rebuffed her sweetly, and for a moment Centaine was at a loss, standing before the wheelchair with the scorned crystal glass in her hand.

Then Blaine rescued her. If it's going begging, Mrs Courtney. He took the glass from her, and she smiled quick gratitude, while the others made room for the wheelchair in the circle and the chairman of the Standard Bank, sitting beside Centaine, took up his monologue where it had been interrupted.

That fellow Hoover and his damned policy of interventionism, he didn't only destroy the economy of the United States but ruined us all in the process. If he had left it alone we'd all be out of this depression by now, but what do we have instead, over five thousand American banks bust this year, unemployment up to twenty-eight millions, trade with Europe at a standstill, the currency of the world in the process of debasement. He has forced one country after another off the gold standard, even Britain has succumbed. We are one of the very few countries that have been able to maintain the gold standard, and believe me it's beginning to hurt. It makes the South African pound expensive, makes our exports expensive, it makes our gold expensive to bring to the surface and God alone knows how long we can hold out. He glanced across the circle at General Smuts. What do you think, Ou Baas, how long can we stay on gold? And the Ou Baas chuckled until his white goatee waggled and his blue eyes sparkled. My dear Alfred, you mustn't ask me. I'm a botanist not an economist. His laughter was infectious, for they all knew that his was one of the most brilliant minds in any field, that this tumultuous twentieth century had so far spewed forth; that he had urged Hertzog to follow Britain's example when she left the gold standard; that he had dined with John Maynard Keynes, the economist of the age, on his last visit to Oxford; and that the two of them corresponded regularly.

Then you must look at my roses, Ou Baas, rather than the gold question, Centaine ordered. She had judged the mood of her guests and sensed that such heavy discussion was making them uncomfortable. Day to day they had to live with the unpleasant reality of a world tottering on the financial brink and they escaped from it now with relief.

The conversation became light and trivial, but with a superficial sparkle like that of the champagne in the longstemmed tulip glasses. Centaine led the banter and laughter, but beneath it was that empty feeling of impending disaster, the insistent aching knowledge that all this was ending, that it was unreal as a dream, that this was the last echo of the past as she was carried forward into a future full of menace and uncertainty, a future over which she would no longer have control.

Blaine looked over her shoulder and clapped lightly, and her other guests joined in a splatter of condescending adult applause.

Hail the conquering hero, somebody laughed, and Centaine turned in her seat. Shasa was standing behind her, dressed in flannels and blazer, his hair wet from the shower and the marks left by the comb still sharply furrowed through it. He was smiling with just the right degree of modesty.

Oh cheri, I'm so proud of you., Centaine jumped up and kissed him impulsively and now he blushed with real embarrassment.

I say, Mater, let's not go all French now, he remonstrated, and he was so beautiful that she wanted to hug him. But she restrained herself and signalled the waiter to bring Shasa a glass of champagne. He glanced at her quizzically; he was usually restricted to lager, and not more than a pint of that either.

Special occasion. She squeezed his arm, and Blaine raised his glass.

Gentlemen, I give you the famous victory of the Weltevreden juniors. Oh, I say, Shasa protested. We had nine goals start. But they all drank, and Sir Garry made a place for Shasa beside him.

Come and sit here, my boy, and tell us how it feels to be champions. Please excuse me, Grandpater, but I have to be with the chaps. We are planning a surprise for later. A surprise? Centaine sat up. She had lived through some of Shasa's surprise turns. The amateur fireworks show during which the old barn had gone up in a most spectacular but unintended display together with the five acres of plantation behind it was only one of his more memorable efforts. What surprise, cheri? If I tell you, it won't be a surprise, Mater. But we are going to clear the field just before the prize-giving, I thought I'd let you know. He gulped the last of the champagne.

Have to run, Mater. See you later. She held out a hand to restrain him, but he was already on his way back towards the grandstand where the other members of the victorious Weltevreden Invitation team were eagerly waiting for him.

They piled into Shasa's old Ford and went roaring up the long driveway towards the chateau. She watched them with trepidation until they were out of sight, and when she looked back Blaine and General Smuts had also left the circle and were strolling away amongst the oaks, their heads inclined towards each other talking earnestly. She watched them surreptitiously. They made an interesting and ill-assorted couple, the spry little white-bearded statesman and the tall handsome warrior and lawyer. Their conversation was obviously engrossing, and they were oblivious to all else as they promenaded slowly back and forth, just out of earshot from where Centaine sat.

When are you returning to Windhoek, Blaine? My wife sails for Southampton in two weeks time. I will return immediately the mail boat leaves. Can you stay over? General Smuts asked. Say until the New Year? I am expecting developments. May I have an inkling what they are? Blaine asked.

I want you back in the House. Smuts evaded the direct question for the moment. I know it will involve sacrifice, Blaine. You are doing an excellent job in Windhoek and building up personal prestige and bargaining power. I am asking you to sacrifice that by resigning the administratorship and contesting the Gardens by-election for the South Africa Party. Blaine did not reply. The sacrifice that the Ou Baas was asking for was onerous.

The Gardens was a marginal seat. There was a real risk of losing it to the Hertzog party and even with a victory he would gain only a seat on the opposition benches, a heavy price to pay for the loss of the administratorship.

We are in opposition, Ou Baas, he said simply, and General Smuts struck at the Kikuyu grass with his cane as he pondered his reply.

Blaine. This is for you only. I must have your word on that. 'Of course. If you trust me now, you will have a ministry within six months. Blaine looked incredulous and Smuts stopped in front of him. 'I see I will have to tell you more. He drew a breath. Coalition, Blaine. Hertzog and I are working out a Coalition cabinet. It looks certain and we will announce it in March next year, three months away. I will be taking justice and it looks as though I will be able to appoint four of my own ministers. You are on my list. I see. Blaine tried to take it in. The news was stupendous.

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