The Wilmington morning star., 1947-08-08
and disappeared into the back Of

and disappeared into the back Of
the shop.
Edward, who had WINGED under
the impact Of Madame Alfrege's
heavy emphasis on friend, stood
aelplessly waiting.
Madame Alfrege was just about
to enter into arch conversation
with him when the door opened
and an opulent looking woman
with a Pekingese came in a n d
Madam Akrege's business in
stincts took her forward to the
newcomer.
Nudge reappeared with her coat
on and, taking her by the elbow,
Edward steered her out of the
shop into the street.
My Lord!" he said. rs that
the sort Of thing you have to put
up with? I heard that horrible
woman talking to you behind the
curtain. How can you stick it,
Nudge? Why didn't you throw the
blasted frocks at her head?"
I'D soon lose my job if I did
things like that"
But don't you want to fling
things at woman Of that
kind?"
Nudge drew a deep breath.
"Of course l do. And there are
times, especially at the end Of a
hot week during the summer
sales, when I am afraid that one
day I shall let go and just tell
everyone exactly where they get
off-instead of Yes, Madam, no,
Madam - I'll see if we have any
thing else, Madam"
"Midge, dear little Nudge, you
can't put up with all this!"
Nudge laughed a little shakily.
Don't be SO upset, Edward.
Why on earth did you have to
come here? Why not ring up"
Il wanted to see for myself.
I've been worried 80" He paused
and then broke out. why, Lucy
wouldn't talk to q scullery maid
the way that woman talked to
you. It's all wrong that you should
have to put up with %insolence and
rudeness. Good Lord, Nudge. I'd
like to take you right out Of it all
down to Ainswick. I'd like to hail
a taxi, bundle you into it, and take
you down to Ainswick now by
the 2:15."
Nudge stopped. Her assumed
nonchalance fell from her. She
had had a long, firing morning
with trying customers and
Madame at her most bullying. She
turned on Edward with a sudden
flare Of resentment.
well, then, why don't you?
There are plenty of taxis!"
He stared at her, taken aback
by her sudden fury. She went on,
her anger flaring up:
why do you have to come
along and say these things? You
don't mean them. Do you think it
makes it any easier after I've had
the devil of a morning to be re-
minded that there are places like
Ainswick? Do you think I'm CRATE
Jul to you for standing there and
5abbling about how much you'd
like to take me out of it all? All
very sweet and insincere. You
don't really mean a word OF it.
Don't you know that I'd sell my
soul to catch the 2:l5 to Aims
wick and get away from every
taing? 1 can't bear ever to think
Of Ainswick, do you understand?
You mean well, Edward, but
you're cruel! Saying things = just
saying things
They faced each other. seriously
incommoding the lunchtirne crowd
in Shaftesbury Avenue. Yet they
we're conscious Of nothing but
each other. Edward was staring
at her like a man suddenly
aroused from sleep.
He said, "All right then, blast
it. You're coming to Ainswick by
the 2:l5!"
He raised his stick and hailed
a passing taxi. 1t drew into the
curb. Edward opened the door
and Nudge, slightly dazed, got in,
Edward said "Paddington Sta
ton" to the driver and followed
her in.
They sat in silence. Midge's lips
set together. Her eyes were def
ant and mutinous. Edward stared
straight ahead of him.
As they waited for the traffic
lights in Oxford Street, Nudge sale
disagreeably:
Il seem to have called youl
bluff"
Edward said shortly:
1T wasn't bluE."
The taxi started forward again
with a jerk.
1t was not until the taxi turned
left in EdgWare Road into Cam
bridge Terrace that Edward sud
denly regained his normal attitude
Of life.
He said, I'VE can't catch the
2:15," and tapping on the glass he
said to the driver, go to the
D.