The Secret Passage Read Online Free Page B

Epsom didn’t know either, but Mary was very curious to know what she thought, all the same.
    That evening when she got out of bed to go to the bathroom, she heard Mr and Mrs Epsom talking on the veranda. The door into the dark living room was open and Mary stood just behind it, a pale little ghost in her white nightgown, and listened.
    â€œJohn can’t even do long division,” Mrs Epsom was saying. “And as for Ben—why the boy’s just like a little savage. I think he speaks Swahili better than he speaks English. What will happen to them when they get back to England, I can’t imagine. I can’t believe any of them will be able to pass an exam—or even settle down in a proper school. They’ve never been taught how to work hard—they’ve been allowed to grow up thinking that life is always going to be nice and easy and a lot of fun. What were their parents thinking of?”
    Mary thought Mrs Epsom sounded cross and a little jealous because she had never been allowed to think that life could be a lot of fun.
    Mr Epsom said slowly, “I don’t think they thought about it much. I gather they didn’t want to part with the children—that’s why John and Mary were never sent to school.”
    â€œI must say, it seems rather selfish,” Mrs Epsom said with a sniff. “After all, it’s the children who are going to suffer. Ifthe worst happens and they have to be sent back to England, they’ll be completely out of their depth. Have any arrangements been made, do you know?
    Mary gritted her teeth silently. She didn’t know what Mrs Epsom meant by ‘if the worst happens’, and she didn’t much care. She felt too hot and angry. It was horrible of Mrs Epsom to say her father and mother were selfish people. She wanted to rush out onto the veranda and shout, “It’s not true, it’s not true,” but she knew she must not do that. She shouldn’t really have been listening to their private conversation.
    Then Mr Epsom said something that surprised her so much that she stopped being angry.
    He said, “They have an aunt in England. I imagine they’ll be sent to her.”
    Mrs Epsom sighed. “That’s something to be thankful for. Though I suppose we shall have to see to it all. Their father isn’t exactly an efficient person, at the best of times.”
    â€œI suppose not.” Mr Epsom sounded rather uncomfortable. “Still—we must do what we can. It’s going to be hard enough for them—poor little beggars.”
    Mary had no time to wonder what he meant because the telephone suddenly started ringing. Mr Epsom heaved himself up out of his creaking chair and trod heavily across the veranda. For a moment Mary was rooted to the spot with horror Suppose he caught her? Why—she had been spying on them.
    But Mr Epsom passed by without seeing her. He went into his little study and closed the door.
    *
    Mary climbed into her bed and lay still for a minute, her heart thumping. Then she said, “John, are you awake?”
    â€œNo,” John said sleepily.
    â€œDon’t be silly. Listen. It’s something important. We’re going to be sent to England. To stay with Aunt Mabel.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI suppose …” Mary frowned, trying to think. “I suppose it’s because we haven’t anywhere to live now. I mean—Dad couldn’t afford for us all to live in an hotel.”
    John said, “Will Mother come too? Dad said she was getting better, didn’t he? So she won’t have to stay in the hospital much longer.”
    â€œDad will want her to stay with him for a bit. But I expect she’ll come to England to be with us as soon as she’s quite well.”
    Mary felt much better now she had worked all this out in her mind. She even began to feel a little excited at the thought of flying to England and having to look after John and Ben.