"
There was a little pause between them when Maggie sat very quietly
looking at her hands. Then, smiling, she glanced up and said:
"But tell me about yourself, Uncle Mathew. You've told me nothing."
He fidgeted a little, shifting his thick legs, stroking his nose
with his finger.
"I don't know that I've anything very good to tell you, my dear.
Truth is, I haven't been doing so very well lately."
"Oh, Uncle, I'm sorry!"
"It's nothing to make yourself miserable about, my dear. I always
turn my corners. Damn rocky ones they are sometimes too.
Everything's turned itself wrong these last weeks, either too soon
or too late. I don't complain, all the same it makes things a bit
inconvenient. Thank you for that five pounds you sent me, my dear,
very helpful it was I can tell you."
"Do you want another five pounds?" she asked him. He struggled with
himself. His hesitation was so obvious that it was quite touching.
She put her hand on his knee.
"Do have another five pounds, Uncle. It won't be difficult for me at
all. I've been spending nothing all these weeks when I've been ill.
Please do.
Pages:
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546