The Aloe Read Online Free

rate. Not too lean – not too fat – “He turned to his wife – “Sure you won’t change your mind – Linda darling?” “Oh the very thought of it” . . . She raised one eyebrow in a way she had – The Grandmother brought the children two bowls of bread and milk and they sat up to the table, their faces flushed and sleepy behind the waving steam – “I had meat for my supper,” said Isabel, still combing gently.
    “I had a whole chop for my supper – the bone an’ all, an Worcestershire sauce. Didn’t I, Father –” “Oh, don’t boast, Isabel,” said Aunt Beryl. Isabel looked astounded – “I wasn’t boasting was I mummy? I never thought of boasting – I thought they’d like to know. I only meant to tell them –” “Very well. That’s enough” said Burnell. He pushed back his plate, took a tooth pick out of his waistcoat pocket and began picking his strong white teeth. “You might see that Fred has a bite of something in the kitchen before he goes, will you Mother.” “Yes, Stanley.” The old woman turned to go – “Oh and hold on a jiffy. I suppose nobody knows where my slippers were put. I suppose I shan’t be able to get at ‘em for a month or two eh?” “Yes,” came from Linda. “In the top to the canvas hold all marked Urgent Necessities.” “Well you might bring them to me will you Mother.” “Yes Stanley.” Burnell got up, stretched himself and went over to the fire to warm his bottom and lifted up his coat tail – “By Jove this is a pretty pickle, eh Beryl.” Beryl sipping tea, her elbow on the table, smiled over the cup at him – She wore an unfamiliar pink pinafore. The sleeves of her blouse were rolled up to her shoulders showing her lovely freckled arms she had let her hair fall down her back in a long pig tail. “How long do you think it will take you to get straight – couple of weeks? eh –” he chaffed. “Good Heavens no,” said Beryl. “The worst is over already.
    All the beds are up – Everything’s in the house – yours and Linda’s room is finished already. The servant girl and I have simply slaved all day and ever since Mother came she’s worked like a horse, too. We’ve never sat down for a moment. We have had a day.” Stamping he scented a rebuke. “Well I suppose you didn’t expect me to tear away from the office and nail carpets did you –” “Certainly not” said Beryl airily. She put down her cup and ran out of the dining room – “What the hell did she expect to do,” asked Stanley – “Sit down and fan herself with a palm leaf fan while I hired a gang of professionals to do the job? Eh? By Jove if she can’t do a hand’s turn occasionally without shouting about it in return for —” and he glared as the chops began to fight the tea in his sensitive stomach. But Linda put up a hand and dragged him down – on to the side of her long cane chair. “This is a wretched time for you old boy,” she said fondly – Her cheeks were very white but she smiled and curled her fingers round the big red hand she held – “And with a wife about as bright and gay as yesterday’s button hole,” she said – “You’ve been awfully patient, darling.” “Rot,” said Burnell, but he began to whistle the Holy City a good sign – “Think you’re going to like it?” he asked – “I don’t want to tell you but I think I ought to, Mother,” said Isabel. “Kezia’s drinking tea out of Aunt Beryl’s cup –”
    They were trooped off to bed by the Grandmother – She went first with a candle – the stairs rang to their climbing feet. Isabel and Lottie lay in a room to themselves – Kezia curled in the Grandmother’s big bed. “Aren’t there any sheets, my Grandma?” “No, not to-night.” “It’s very tickly,” said Kezia. “It’s like Indians. Come to bed soon an be my indian brave.” “What a silly you are,” said the old woman tucking her in as she loved to be tucked. “Are you going to leave the