The Essential Somerset Maugham: 33 Books in One Edition. Уильям Сомерсет Моэм

people had come along, and the brake was nearly full. Liza knew them all, but they were too busy taking their places to talk to her. At last Tom came. He saw her standing there and went up to her.

      'Won't yer change yer mind, Liza, an' come along with us?'

      'Na, Tom, I told yer I wouldn't—it's not right like.' She felt she must repeat that to herself often.

      'I shan't enjoy it a bit without you,' he said.

      'Well, I can't 'elp it!' she answered, somewhat sullenly.

      At that moment a man came out of the public-house with a horn in his hand; her heart gave a great jump, for if there was anything she adored it was to drive along to the tootling of a horn. She really felt it was very hard lines that she must stay at home when all these people were going to have such a fine time; and they were all so merry, and she could picture to herself so well the delights of the drive and the picnic. She felt very much inclined to cry. But she mustn't go, and she wouldn't go: she repeated that to herself twice as the trumpeter gave a preliminary tootle.

      Two more people hurried along, and when they came near Liza saw that they were Jim Blakeston and a woman whom she supposed to be his wife.

      'Are you comin', Liza?' Jim said to her.

      'No,' she answered. 'I didn't know you was goin'.'

      'I wish you was comin',' he replied, 'we shall 'ave a game.'

      She could only just keep back the sobs; she so wished she were going. It did seem hard that she must remain behind; and all because she wasn't going to marry Tom. After all, she didn't see why that should prevent her; there really was no need to refuse for that. She began to think she had acted foolishly: it didn't do anyone any good that she refused to go out with Tom, and no one thought it anything specially fine that she should renounce her pleasure. Sally merely thought her a fool.

      Tom was standing by her side, silent, and looking disappointed and rather unhappy. Jim said to her, in a low voice:

      'I am sorry you're not comin'!'

      It was too much. She did want to go so badly, and she really couldn't resist any longer. If Tom would only ask her once more, and if she could only change her mind reasonably and decently, she would accept; but he stood silent, and she had to speak herself. It was very undignified.

      'Yer know, Tom.' she said, 'I don't want ter spoil your day.'

      'Well, I don't think I shall go alone; it 'ud be so precious slow.'

      Supposing he didn't ask her again! What should she do? She looked up at the clock on the front of the pub, and noticed that it only wanted five minutes to the half-hour. How terrible it would be if the brake started and he didn't ask her! Her heart beat violently against her chest, and in her agitation she fumbled with the corner of her apron.

      'Well, what can I do, Tom dear?'

      'Why, come with me, of course. Oh. Liza, do say yes.'

      She had got the offer again, and it only wanted a little seemly hesitation, and the thing was done.

      'I should like ter, Tom,' she said. 'But d'you think it 'ud be arright?'

      'Yus, of course it would. Come on, Liza!' In his eagerness he clasped her hand.

      'Well,' she remarked, looking down, 'if it'd spoil your 'oliday—.'

      'I won't go if you don't—swop me bob, I won't!' he answered.

      'Well, if I come, it won't mean that I'm keepin' company with you.'

      'Na, it won't mean anythin' you don't like.'

      'Arright!' she said.

      'You'll come?' he could hardly believe her.

      'Yus!' she answered, smiling all over her face.

      'You're a good sort, Liza! I say, 'Arry, Liza's comin'!' he shouted.

      'Liza? 'Oorray!' shouted Harry.

      ''S'at right, Liza?' called Sally.

      And Liza feeling quite joyful and light of heart called back:

      'Yus!'

      ''Oorray!' shouted Sally in answer.

      'Thet's right, Liza,' called Jim; and he smiled pleasantly as she looked at him.

      'There's just room for you two 'ere,' said Harry, pointing to the vacant places by his side.

      'Arright!' said Tom.

      'I must jest go an' get a 'at an' tell mother,' said Liza.

      'There's just three minutes. Be quick!' answered Tom, and as she scampered off as hard as she could go, he shouted to the coachman: ''Old 'ard; there' another passenger comin' in a minute.'

      'Arright, old cock,' answered the coachman: 'no 'urry!'

      Liza rushed into the room, and called to her mother, who was still asleep:

      'Mother! mother! I'm going to Chingford!'

      Then tearing off her old dress she slipped into her gorgeous violet one; she kicked off her old ragged shoes and put on her new boots. She brushed her hair down and rapidly gave her fringe a twirl and a twist—it was luckily still moderately in curl from the previous Saturday—and putting on her black hat with all the feathers, she rushed along the street, and scrambling up the brake steps fell panting on Tom's lap.

      The coachman cracked his whip, the trumpeter tootled his horn, and with a cry and a cheer from the occupants, the brake clattered down the road.

      5

       Table of Contents

       As soon as Liza had recovered herself she started examining the people on the brake; and first of all she took stock of the woman whom Jim Blakeston had with him.

      'This is my missus!' said Jim, pointing to her with his thumb.

      'You ain't been dahn in the street much, 'ave yer?' said Liza, by way of making the acquaintance.

      'Na,' answered Mrs. Blakeston, 'my youngster's been dahn with the measles, an' I've 'ad my work cut out lookin' after 'im.'

      'Oh, an' is 'e all right now?'

      'Yus, 'e's gettin' on fine, an' Jim wanted ter go ter Chingford ter-day, an' 'e says ter me, well, 'e says, "You come along ter Chingford, too; it'll do you good." An' 'e says, "You can leave Polly"—she's my eldest, yer know—"you can leave Polly," says 'e, "ter look after the kids." So I says, "Well, I don't mind if I do," says I.'

      Meanwhile Liza was looking at her. First she noticed her dress: she wore a black cloak and a funny, old-fashioned black bonnet; then examining the woman herself, she saw a middle-sized, stout person anywhere between thirty and forty years old. She had a large, fat face with a big mouth, and her hair was curiously done, parted in the middle and plastered down on each side of the head in little plaits. One could see that she was a woman of great strength, notwithstanding evident traces of hard work and much child-bearing.

      Liza knew all the other passengers, and now that everyone was settled down and had got over the excitement of departure, they had time to greet one another. They were delighted to have Liza among them, for where she was there was no dullness. Her attention was first of all taken up by a young coster who had arrayed himself in the traditional costume—grey suit, tight trousers, and shiny buttons in profusion.

      'Wot cheer, Bill!' she cried to him.

      'Wot cheer, Liza!' he answered.

      'You are got up dossy, you'll knock 'em.'

      'Na then, Liza Kemp,' said his companion, turning round with mock indignation, 'you let my Johnny alone. If you come gettin' round 'im I'll give you wot for.'

      'Arright, Clary Sharp, I don't want 'im,' answered Liza. 'I've got one of my own, an' thet's