Читать книгу The Last Love - Thomas B. Costain - Страница 24

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That evening Napoleon and Las Cases came over for a game of whist with Mr. and Mrs. Balcombe. Betsy, who was quite keen at cards, was sauntering around the table and keeping a watchful eye on the game; sometimes drawing in her breath sharply when she detected the Great Man cheating, a habit of his. Suddenly a violent noise broke out in the kitchen wing of the house. It was customary for all members of the staff to assemble there in the evenings, with the exception of William Pitt, who spent his hours of leisure in silent contemplation. For several moments there was an unbroken pandemonium of shrieks and groans. Mrs. Balcombe rang the bell to summon Sarah.

No Sarah appeared. In fact there was no response to her repeated ringing until they heard a reluctant footstep approaching through the long and dark passage from the kitchen. The door opened and the head of Mantee Timms appeared.

“I didn’t ring for you,” said the mistress. “I rang for Sarah.”

“Yes, Mis’tuss. But dat Sarah, she ’fraid come. She say I mus’ come.”

They got the story from him with considerable difficulty. Sarah had gone out into the garden and there she had seen the ghost of Old Huff. He was hobbling along among the trees behind the house and seemed to be searching for something. Her shrieks, as she ran in and slammed the door after her, had thrown all of the staff into a panic. They were now huddled closely together in a corner of the kitchen.

William Balcombe was smiling broadly. “Tee,” he asked, “did you see Old Huff yourself?”

“Yes, suh! I see de ghos’. Dat Ole Huff him tryin’ get in house. I see him lookin’ in windus and tryin’ all the do’hs.”

“Is the work in the kitchen done?”

“Yas, suh. W’ok done.”

“Then go back and tell Sarah and the rest of them to go to bed. There’s to be no more noise. There’s nothing to be afraid of, Tee. There’s no such thing as ghosts.”

But Mantee showed no willingness to leave the lighted room. He kept a hand on the doorknob and he shuffled his feet and he did not raise his eyes.

“Tee,” said the merchant finally, “are you afraid to go back alone?”

“Das’ it, suh. I’se ’fraid to go back alone.”

Balcombe was a man of very considerable good nature. He lifted a candle from the table and motioned the servant to follow him. “I’ll escort you as far as the kitchen door, Tee. Come along. You needn’t be afraid of ghosts if I’m with you.”

“No, suh. Not ’fraid with you.”

The game was resumed and no further noise was heard from the kitchen quarters. The episode was almost forgotten by the time the visitors rose to return to the pavilion. Napoleon chose this juncture, however, to give rein to a mischief-making turn. Looking back as he opened the gate, he saw that Betsy had come out on the lawn and was waving good night to him. He threw his arms in the air and shouted to her.

“Betsee, Betsee! Old ’Uff! He’s behind you!”

Betsy gave a squeal of terror and started to run toward the house. Then, with obvious effort, she stopped and looked back. When she realized how easily she had been deceived, she became angry and walked into the garden with indignant strides. Napoleon, his sides shaking with laughter, was still within hearing. She called out to him:

“Waterloo! Waterloo! Waterloo!”