The Seasons Hereafter Read Online Free Page A

the violence never occurred, and she read until she fell asleep again.

CHAPTER 4
    S he knew when she woke up that Barry hadn’t been in bed all night. It wasn’t the first time that he’d slept in damp blankets in the little cuddy of his boat; he’d come home with a streaming cold, and be sheepish and sorry. The sun was shining, and a strong wind tore at the tree tops and sent the slaty clouds bellying along. The restless brilliance of the day penetrated the house, and Vanessa was affected as cats and children are. Stimulated by the prospect of Barry’s repentance, she felt a powerful urge to clean and cook. When he showed up she would have a proper meal ready, hot water for a bath, clean clothes. The Bennett’s Island myth would have dissolved overnight, and would never be mentioned again.
    She made a chowder with the haddock, and baked a custard pie. Then she began to tidy the bedroom. Its shabbiness offended her today, and she decided to take some of the saved-up rent money and buy paint and new curtains. As she filled a box with rubbish, the old-fashioned doorbell jangled in the kitchen, and she left off with annoyance; she wanted to work fast and hard until she was finished, she couldn’t bear to be interrupted. In a rage she ran through the front hall and pulled open the front door. Mr. Burrage was on the doorstep.
    Her rage went as they smiled at one another and exclaimed “Good morning!” Mentally she reviewed the house behind her; silence from Mooney’s room, Brig long since stumbled out in search of breakfast, the roomers quiet upstairs. “Come into the kitchen,” she invited “You’re just in time for a cup of coffee.” She hoped Barry wouldn’t show up in the middle of the visit, looking as if he’d been dragged through a knot-hole.
    â€œNo coffee, Mrs. Barton,” the lawyer said as he followed her down the hall. “I can’t stay long enough. . . . These old places smell, no matter how well you take care of them, don’t they? But this was a great house in its day.”
    â€œIt still is for me,” said Vanessa. “It’s still the most elegant house in Limerock. Won’t you sit down?”
    â€œOnly for a moment.” He was graying and soldierly, with a shrewd youthful eye and a taste in clothes that always gave her pleasure and a sense of luxury. “Good Lord,” he exclaimed, “how do you stand this kitchen? “
    She laughed. “I’m very fond of it. It has real charm. I was never in love with these modern kitchens, they look too cold and heartless.”
    He seemed preoccupied as he offered her a cigarette and lit it. “How’s your husband doing?”
    â€œPretty well. The lobsters are starting to come now. But better than that, he’s got a chance to go out on one of the Universal Sea foods draggers.”
    â€œFine, fine! Nice chap, Barry.”
    â€œHow about a piece of fresh custard pie?” she asked.
    â€œNo, no, I couldn’t.” With an air of having suddenly come to a decision, he crushed out his cigarette. “Mrs. Barton, I don’t like the news I’m bringing, because I know how much you love this house But change comes to all of us, and you’re young, so it’s good for you, and necessary.”
    She felt a sick shivering in her and couldn’t control her facial muscles; she felt that her chin was shaking and her mouth loose as she faced him. “It’s about the huh—huh—” She could not say house . She could only try, and hate him for his obvious pity as he took the word away from her.
    â€œYes, the house. The estate has sold this land and the parcel across the street. The house will be torn down, and new buildings put up, four-apartment houses. If you’d like, I’ll give your name to the new owner so you can get one of the flats—they’ll be moderate in rent.”
    The kitchen was quiet, and yet