Читать книгу Men at Arms - Evelyn Waugh - Страница 6

Guy had planned to stay two nights and to go on Monday to visit his father at Matchet. Instead he left before luncheon on Sunday so as to leave Angela uninterrupted in her last hours with Tony. It was a journey he had often made before. Box-Bender used to send him into Bristol by car. His father used to send for him to the mainline station. Now all the world seemed on the move and he was obliged to travel tediously with several changes of bus and train. It was late afternoon when he arrived at Matchet station and found his father with his old golden retriever waiting on the platform.

‘I don’t know where the hotel porter is,’ said Mr. Crouchback. ‘He should be here. I told him he would be needed. But everyone’s very busy. Leave your bag here. I expect we’ll meet him on the way.’

Father and son and dog walked out together into the sunset down the steep little streets of the town.

Despite the forty years that divided them there was a marked likeness between Mr. Crouchback and Guy. Mr. Crouchback was rather the taller and he wore an expression of steadfast benevolence quite lacking in Guy. ‘Racé rather than distingué’ was how Miss Vavasour, a fellow resident at the Marine Hotel, defined Mr. Crouchback’s evident charm. There was nothing of the old dandy about him, nothing crusted, nothing crotchety. He was not at all what is called ‘a character’. He was an innocent, affable old man who had somehow preserved his good humour--much more than that, a mysterious and tranquil joy,--throughout a life which to all outward observation had been overloaded with misfortune. He had like many another been born in full sunlight and lived to see night fall. England was full of such Jobs who had been disappointed in their prospects. Mr. Crouchback had lost his home. Partly in his father’s hands, partly in his own, without extravagance or speculation, his inheritance had melted away. He had rather early lost his beloved wife and been left to a long widowhood. He had an ancient name which was now little regarded and threatened with extinction. Only God and Guy knew the massive and singular quality of Mr. Crouchback’s family pride. He kept it to himself. That passion, which is often so thorny a growth, bore nothing save roses for Mr. Crouchback. He was quite without class consciousness because he saw the whole intricate social structure of his country divided neatly into two unequal and unmistakable parts. On one side stood the Crouchbacks and certain inconspicuous, anciently allied families; on the other side stood the rest of mankind, Box-Bender, the butcher, the Duke of Omnium (whose onetime wealth derived from monastic spoils), Lloyd George, Neville Chamberlain,--all of a piece together. Mr. Crouchback acknowledged no monarch since James II. It was not an entirely sane conspectus but it engendered in his gentle breast two rare qualities, tolerance and humility. For nothing much, he assumed, could reasonably be expected from the commonalty; it was remarkable how well some of them did behave on occasions; while, for himself, any virtue he had came from afar without his deserving, and every small fault was grossly culpable in a man of his high tradition.

He had a further natural advantage over Guy; he was fortified by a memory which kept only the good things and rejected the ill. Despite his sorrows, he had had a fair share of joys, and these were ever fresh and accessible in Mr. Crouchback’s mind. He never mourned the loss of Broome. He still inhabited it as he had known it in bright boyhood and in early, requited love.

In his actual leaving home there had been no complaining. He attended every day of the sale seated in the marquee on the auctioneer’s platform, munching pheasant sandwiches, drinking port from a flask and watching the bidding with tireless interest, all unlike the ruined squire of Victorian iconography.

‘... Who’d have thought those old vases worth £18? ... Where did that table come from? Never saw it before in my life ... Awful shabby the carpets look when you get them out ... What on earth can Mrs. Chadwick want with a stuffed bear? ...’

The Marine Hotel, Matchet, was kept by old servants from Broome. They made him very welcome. There he brought a few photographs, the bedroom furniture to which he was accustomed, complete and rather severe,--the brass bedstead, the oak presses and bootrack, the circular shaving glass, the mahogany prie-dieu. His sitting-room was furnished from the smoking-room at Broome with a careful selection of old favourites from the library. And there he had lived ever since, greatly respected by Miss Vavasour and the other permanent residents. The original manager sold out and went to Canada; his successor took on Mr. Crouchback with the other effects. Once a year he revisited Broome, when a requiem was sung for his ancestors. He never lamented his changed state or mentioned it to newcomers. He went to mass every day, walking punctually down the High Street before the shops were open; walking punctually back as the shutters were coming down, with a word of greeting for everyone he passed. All his pride of family was a schoolboy hobby compared with his religious faith. When Virginia left Guy childless, it did not occur to Mr. Crouchback, as it never ceased occurring to Box-Bender, that the continuance of his line was worth a tiff with the Church; that Guy should marry by civil law and beget an heir and settle things up later with the ecclesiastical authorities as other people seemed somehow to do. Family pride could not be served in dishonour. There were in fact two medieval excommunications and a seventeenth-century apostasy clearly set out in the family annals, but these were among the things that Mr. Crouchback’s memory extruded.

To-night the town seemed fuller than usual. Guy knew Matchet well. He had picnicked there as a child and visited his father whenever he came to England. The Marine Hotel lay outside the town, on the cliff beside the coast-guard station. Their way led down the harbour, along the waterfront, then up again by a red rock track. Lundy Island could be seen in the setting sun, beyond the brown waters. The channel was full of shipping held by the Contraband Control.

‘I should have liked to say good-bye to Tony,’ said Mr. Crouchback. ‘I didn’t know he was off so soon. There’s something I looked out for him the other day and wanted to give him. I know he’d have liked to have it--Gervase’s medal of Our Lady of Lourdes. He bought it in France on a holiday the year war broke out and he always wore it. They sent it back after he was killed with his watch and things. Tony ought to have it.’

‘I don’t think there’d be time to get it to him now.’

‘I’d like to have given it to him myself. It’s not the same thing sending it in a letter. Harder to explain.’

‘It didn’t protect Gervase much, did it?’

‘Oh, yes,’ said Mr. Crouchback, ‘much more than you might think. He told me when he came to say good-bye before going out. The army is full of temptations for a boy. Once in London, when he was in training, he got rather drunk with some of his regiment and in the end he found himself left alone with a girl they’d picked up somewhere. She began to fool about and pulled off his tie and then she found the medal and all of a sudden they both sobered down and she began talking about the convent where she’d been at school and so they parted friends and no harm done. I call that being protected. I’ve worn a medal all my life. Do you?’

‘I have from time to time. I haven’t one at the moment.’

‘You should, you know, with bombs and things about. If you get hit and taken to hospital, they know you’re a Catholic and send for a priest. A nurse once told me that. Would you care to have Gervase’s medal, if Tony can’t?’

‘Very much. Besides I hope to get into the army too.’

‘So you said in your letter. But they’ve turned you down?’

‘There doesn’t seem to be much competition for me.’

‘What a shame. But I can’t imagine you a soldier. You never liked motor-cars, did you? It’s all motor-cars now, you know. The yeomanry haven’t had any horses since the year before last, a man was telling me, and they haven’t any motor-cars either. Seems a silly business. But you don’t care for horses either, do you?’

‘Not lately,’ said Guy, remembering the eight horses he and Virginia had kept in Kenya, the rides round the lake at dawn; remembering, too, the Ford van which he had driven to market twice a month over the dirt track.

‘Trains de luxe are more in your line, eh?’

‘There wasn’t anything very luxurious about to-day’s trains,’ said Guy.

‘No,’ said his father. ‘I’ve no business to chaff you. It’s very nice of you to come all this way to see me, my boy. I don’t think you’ll be dull. There are all kinds of new people in the inn--most amusing. I’ve made a whole new circle of friends in the last fortnight. Charming people. You’ll be surprised.’

‘More Miss Vavasours?’

‘No, no, different people. All sorts of quite young people. A charming Mrs. Tickeridge and her daughter. Her husband is a major in the Halberdiers. He’s come down for Sunday. You’ll like them awfully.’

The Marine Hotel was full and overflowing, as all hotels seemed to be all over the country. Formerly when he came to visit his father, Guy had been conscious of a stir of interest among guests and staff. Now he found it difficult to get any attention.

‘No, we’re quite full up,’ said the manageress. ‘Mr. Crouchback did ask for a room for you but we were expecting you to-morrow. There’s nothing at all to-night.’

‘Perhaps you could fix him up in my sitting-room.’

‘We’ll do what we can, if you don’t mind waiting a bit.’

The porter who should have been at the station was helping hand round drinks in the lounge.

‘I’ll go just as soon as I can, sir,’ he said. ‘If you don’t mind waiting until after dinner.’

Guy did mind. He wanted a change of shirt after his journey, but the man was gone with his tray of glasses before Guy could answer.

‘Isn’t it a gay scene?’ said Mr. Crouchback. ‘Those are the Tickeridges over there. Do come and meet them.’

Guy saw a mousy woman and a man in uniform with enormous handle-bar moustaches. ‘I expect they’ve sent their little girl up to bed. She’s a remarkable child. Only six, no nannie, and does everything for herself.’

The mousy woman smiled with unexpected charm at Mr. Crouchback’s approach. The man with the moustaches began moving furniture about to make room.

‘Cheerioh,’ he said. ‘Pardon my glove.’ (He was holding a chair above his head with both hands.) ‘We were about to do a little light shopping. What’s yours, sir?’

Somehow he cleared a small space and filled it with chairs. Somehow he caught the porter. Mr. Crouchback introduced Guy.

‘So you’re joining the lotus-eaters too? I’ve just settled madam and the offspring here for the duration. Charming spot. I wish I could spend a few weeks here instead of in barracks.’

‘No,’ said Guy, ‘I’m only here for one night.’

‘Pity. The madam wants company. Too many old pussy-cats around.’

In addition to his huge moustaches Major Tickeridge had tufts of wiry ginger whisker high on his cheekbones, almost in his eyes.

The porter brought them their drinks. Guy tried to engage him on the subject of his bag but he was off in a twinkling with ‘I’ll be with you in one minute, sir.’

‘Baggage problems?’ said the major. ‘They’re all in rather a flap here. What’s the trouble?’

Guy told him at some length.

‘That’s easy. I’ve got the invaluable but usually invisible Halberdier Gold standing easy somewhere in the rear echelon. Let him go.’

‘No, I say, please....’

‘Halberdier Gold has not done a hand’s turn since we got here except call me too damned early this morning. He needs exercise. Besides he’s a married man and the housemaids won’t let him alone. It’ll do Halberdier Gold good to get away from them for a bit.’

Guy warmed towards this kind and hairy man.

‘Here’s how,’ said the major.

‘Here’s how,’ said the mousy wife.

‘Here’s how,’ said Mr. Crouchback with complete serenity.

But Guy could only manage an embarrassed grunt.

‘First to-day,’ said the major, downing his pink gin. ‘Vi, order another round while I winkle out the Halberdier.’

With a series of collisions and apologies Major Tickeridge made his way across the hall.

‘It’s awfully kind of your husband.’

‘He can’t bear a man standing idle,’ said Mrs. Tickeridge. ‘It’s his Halberdier training.’

Later when they separated for dinner Mr. Crouchback said: ‘Delightful people, didn’t I tell you? You’ll see Jenifer to-morrow. A beautifully behaved child.’

In the dining-room the old residents had their tables round the wall. The newcomers were in the centre, and, it seemed to Guy, got more attention. Mr. Crouchback by a long-standing arrangement bought his own wine and kept it in the hotel cellars. A bottle of Burgundy and a bottle of port were already on the table. The five courses were rather better than might have been expected.

‘It’s really remarkable how the Cuthberts cope with the influx. It’s all happened so suddenly. Of course one has to wait a bit between courses but they manage to turn out a very decent dinner, don’t they? There’s only one change I mind. They’ve asked me not to bring Felix in to meals. Of course he did take up an awful lot of room.’

With the pudding the waiter put a plate of dog’s dinner on the table. Mr. Crouchback studied it carefully, turning it over with his fork.

‘Yes, that looks delicious,’ he said. ‘Thank you so very much,’ and to Guy, ‘D’you mind if I take it up to Felix now? He’s used to it at this time. Help yourself to the port. I’ll be back directly.’

He carried the plate through the dining-room up to his sitting-room, now Guy’s bedroom, and soon returned.

‘We’ll take him out later,’ said Mr. Crouchback. ‘At about ten. I see the Tickeridges have finished dinner. The last two nights they’ve joined me in a glass of port. They seem a little shy to-night. You don’t mind if I ask them over, do you?’

They came.

‘A beautiful wine, sir.’

‘Oh, it’s just something the people in London send down to me.’

‘I wish you could come to our mess one day. We’ve got some very fine port we bring out for guest nights. You, too,’ he added, addressing Guy.

‘My son, in spite of his advanced years, is making frantic efforts to join the army himself.’

‘I say, not really? I call that jolly sporting.’

‘I’m not seeing much sport,’ said Guy, and wryly described the disappointments and rebuffs of the last fortnight.

Major Tickeridge was slightly puzzled by the ironic note of the recitation.

‘I say,’ he said. ‘Are you serious about this?’

‘I try not to be,’ said Guy. ‘But I’m afraid I am.’

‘Because if you are serious, why don’t you join us?’

‘I’ve pretty well given up,’ said Guy. ‘In fact I’ve as good as signed on in the Foreign Office.’

Major Tickeridge showed deep concern.

‘I say, that is a pretty desperate thing to do. You know, if you’re really serious, I think the thing can be managed. The old corps never quite does things in the ordinary army style. I mean none of that Hore-Belisha stuff of starting in the ranks. We’re forming a brigade of our own, half regulars, half temporaries, half National Service men, half long-service. It’s all on bumf at present but we’re starting cadre training any day now. It’s going to be something rather special. We all know one another in the corps, you know, so if you’d like me to put in a word with the Captain-Commandant, just say so. I heard him saying the other day he could do with a few older chaps among the temporary officers.’

By ten o’clock that night, when Guy and his father let Felix go bounding into the blackness, Major Tickeridge had made notes of Guy’s particulars and promised immediate action.

‘It’s remarkable,’ said Guy. ‘I spent weeks badgering generals and Cabinet Ministers and getting nowhere. Then I come here and in an hour everything is fixed, up for me by a strange major.’

‘That’s often the way. I told you Tickeridge was a capital fellow,’ said Mr. Crouchback, ‘and the Halberdiers are a magnificent regiment. I’ve seen them on parade. They’re every bit as good as the Foot Guards.’

At eleven lights went out downstairs in the Marine Hotel and the servants disappeared. Guy and his father went up to bed. Mr. Crouchback’s sitting-room smelled of tobacco and dog.

‘Doesn’t look much of a bed, I’m afraid.’

‘Last night at Angela’s I slept in the library.’

‘Well, I hope you’ll be all right.’

Guy undressed and lay down on the sofa by the open window. The sea beat below and the sea-air filled the room. Since that morning his affairs had greatly changed.

Presently his father’s door opened: ‘I say, are you asleep?’

‘Not quite.’

‘There’s this thing you said you’d like. Gervase’s medal. I might forget it in the morning.’

‘Thanks most awfully. I’ll always wear it from now on.’

‘I’ll put it here on the table. Good-night.’

Guy stretched out in the darkness and felt the light disc of metal. It was strung on a piece of cord. He tied it round his neck and heard his father moving about in his room. The door opened again. ‘I say, I’m afraid I get up rather early and I’ll have to come through. I’ll be as quiet as I can.’

‘I’ll come to mass with you.’

‘Will you? Do. Good-night again.’

Soon he heard his father lightly snoring. His last thought before falling asleep was the uneasy question: ‘Why couldn’t I say “Here’s how” to Major Tickeridge? My father did. Gervase would have. Why couldn’t I?’