CHAPTER IV: THE WISH
i
Waiting until she had a little recovered her self-control, Jenny presently moved from the door to the fireplace, and proceeded methodically to put coals on the fire. She was still shaking slightly, and the corners of her mouth were uncontrollably twitching with alternate smiles and other raiding emotions; so that she did not yet feel in a fit state to meet Pa’s scrutiny. He might be the old fool he sometimes appeared to be, and, inconveniently, he might not. Just because she did not want him to be particularly bright it was quite probable that he would have a flourish of brilliance. That is as it occasionally happens, in the dullest of mortals. So Jenny was some time in attending to the fire, until she supposed that any undue redness of cheek might be imagined to have been occasioned by her strenuous activities. She then straightened herself and looked down at Pa with a curious mixture of protectiveness and anxiety.
“Pleased with yourself, aren’t you?” she inquired, more to make conversation which might engage the ancient mind in ruminant pastime than to begin any series of inquiries into Pa’s mental states.
“Eh, Jenny?” said Pa, staring back at her. “Ain’t you gone out? Is it Emmy that’s gone out? What did that fool Alf Rylett want? He was shouting.... I heard him.”
“Yes, Pa; but you shouldn’t have listened,” rebuked Jenny, with a fine colour.
Pa shook his shaggy head. He felt cunningly for his empty tankard, hoping that it had been refilled by his benevolent genius. It was not until the full measure of his disappointment had been revealed that he answered her.
“I wasn’t listening,” he quavered. “I didn’t hear what he said.... Did Emmy go out with him?”
“Yes, Pa. To the theatre. Alf brought tickets. Tickets! Tickets for seats.... Oh, dear! Why can’t you understand! Didn’t have to pay at the door....”
Pa suddenly understood.