(7/13) Affairs at Thrush Green Read Online Free

having a nap. I didn't dare bury the stuff in the garden in case the hens scratched it up.'
    'Yes, she gave me ajar,' said Ella, it went straight in the dustbin, but I believe she sent several pots to Lulling Church Bazaar. Luckily Mrs Bull knew about them, and no doubt disposed of them safely.'
    'One certainly gets some extraordinary things sent in for the church fund raisers,' commented Dimity. 'Lady Mary sent six pairs of pink corsets, all rather grubby too which made it worse, and so vast, of course, that it was difficult to know what to do with them.'
    Connie rose to go, and Ella accompanied her to the door.
    'Talking of unwanted gifts,' said Ella, when she returned, 'would that spoilt cat of yours eat hare?'
    'There's nothing Tabitha likes more,' Dimity replied. 'She used to get some when we lived here, but somehow nobody leaves a nice hare hanging on the door knob at Lulling vicarage as they did at Thrush Green.'
    'Percy Hodge left it in even better shape,' said Ella, 'all skinned and jointed in a plastic bag. Enough for a large family, so come and take your pick, Dim.'
    'I'm sorry Percy's not happy,' said Dimity, as Ella wrapped a generous portion of the farmer's largesse for her friend.
    'Maybe they'll shake down together. Will you and Charles eat any of this?'
    'Indeed we will! It will be a great treat.'
    'Good. I should never get through a third of all this. Now shall we have a cup of tea, or wait for Charles?'
    'Charles will have had at least six cups by now,' Dimity assured her old friend. 'So let's put on the kettle.'

    At that moment Charles was sitting beside his old friend Robert Bassett, having refused all refreshment pressed upon him by hospitable Milly Bassett.
    Robert was in his dressing gown sitting near the window with a rug over his knees. Outside, a bird table had been fixed to the window sill, and blue tits and greenfinches squabbled over a net of peanut kernels suspended there, while a bright-eyed robin, ignoring the commotion, pecked busily at some kitchen scraps.
    'They must be grateful for all that sustenance,' observed Charles.
    'Not half as grateful as I am to them,' responded Robert. 'They are a constant joy. I find I can't read for long, and the television tires my eyes after a time, but I can watch these little beauties for hours on end. Tell me, Charles, how are you enjoying the new living?'
    The rector recognized this query as a deliberate attempt to divert attention from his own problems, and told the invalid how much he and Dimity enjoyed their new house and explained their modest plans for the garden.
    Milly excused herself and hurried back to the kitchen where she was cooking a splendid Dundee cake. Charles guessed rightly that she was relieved to see her husband happily engaged in conversation, thus relieving her for a short while from her anxious surveillance.
    For there was no doubt about it, as Charles knew well as he rambled on gently about his own affairs, that Robert had little time left to him. He had lost a great deal of weight. His complexion had the waxen pallor of the desperately ill, and the bones of his thin fingers showed clearly as he plucked feebly at the rug. But his smile was as sweet as ever, and he listened as courteously as he had always done to Charles's remarks.
    At last Charles rose, looking at his watch.
    'I must be off, Robert, I've one or two other friends to visit, and it gets dark so confoundedly early still. I'll call in again if I may.'
    'Before you go, I've something for you,' said Robert, pointing to a large envelope on his desk.
    Charles brought it to him, and his old friend withdrew a beautiful leather-bound book of poems which he gave to the rector.
    'James Elroy Flecker,' said Robert. 'A poet I've always loved, and as fond of this country as you and I have been. I should like you to have it.'
    Charles was deeply moved.
    'I shall always treasure it,' he assured the sick man. 'As a boy I learnt "The Old Ships" at school, and can still quote from it. I