Dragonfly

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 8

Dragonfly

By

Bernard Cronin

(Copyright.—For the Otago Witness.)

CHAPTER XI. Chari came at the week-end. Luce, peering under a shading hand at the galloping dust cloud, guessed intuitively that it was he, and was in time to greet him as he reigned up at the gate. ‘‘Chari . . . it’s really you! ” The boy slid from the saddle and kissed her perfunctorily. He said impatiently: “Of course it’s me. Anybody would think I’d been away for years.” Luce’s eyes winced, but she continued to smile. She put an arm about his neck. “ It’s so nice to see you. How do you like up at Yambatilli? ” “ All right. Look here ... I brought you something, Luce.” He produced from a sugarbag on the saddle a crumpled cattle dog, with vague, barely opened eyes. “ I got him from old Souse, back at the pub. There was a whole litter, and I picked this one. His mouth is good and black inside. It’s a pity, though, Barney’s not here to train him with.” Luce was cuddling the morsel delightedly. Chari, he’s a perfect darling. I do love you so for bringing him. Jim can help me train him. He’s got Smudge and Bluey here.”

“Jim? You mean Jim Birkett?” Chari stared about him. “Is he here? ” “ He and Uncle Marmie are staying for a time,” Luce told him, faintly colouring. ’* They’re . . . just helping with the cattle. It was lucky, wasn’t it, that they could spare the time?’ “ I don’t understand,” Chari said slowly. “ Why, Chari . . . isn’t Uncle Marmie always free of Dragonfly? He wanted to rest up a bit before he tackled the dam sinking. Jim’s partners with him in that, so of course he came with him here.” “We can’t pay wages,” the boy declared. His mouth was sullen. “ I wouldn’t have left here, would I, if there was that much to be done at Dragonfly. A man can’t be in two places at once.” Luce sighed. She said hastily: “Why, of course not. I can manage quite well for a while. And you’re right to go out and earn us money. Goodness knows, we need some. Chari, what shall 1 name him? ” “ What are you talking about? ” be asked moodily. •* The pup . . . silly.” Luce fondled the little creature’s wilted ears. “ I must think it over. You must be thirsty, Chari. I’ll get you some tea.” She was relieved by his sudden smile. All at once he became the old Chari, full of a reckless good nature. His hand held to hers as they walked to the house. “ Luce, I drew my first wages last night. I’ve got four or five pounds for you. I forgot to bring it, though, I expect it’ll do next time I come, won t it? You can get anything you want from the store.”

There was something so naively im•portant in his tone that Luce was tenderly careful not to remind him that their store account was closed. Not for worlds would she have endangered ‘this return to the frank affection of their childhood. Such moments were become all too rare of late. She had sometimes wondered wistfully if ; Chari had not grown altogether apart from her. “ I don’t need the money immediately. Chari, are you quite comfortable at Yambatilli? Is Mr Nye as gruff as he seems?” “ There’s worse than George Nye, Luce. He’s not a bad sort when you get co know him. Where’s Uncle Marmie?” They both. went into Birdseye. It’s nice for us to be all alone. " Will you stay to-night, dear ? ” I can t. But he disarmed the refusal by patting her shoulder gently. “ Luce, of course I’m ever so glad that Uncle Marmie and Jim came. I’ll be back myself as soon as I think it’s needful. Only I didn't want them, or anyone else, to get the idea that I don’t have to be at lambatilli.” “As if they would.’’ ‘lt isn’t as if I didn’t want to be here,” Chari persisted. He looked at Luce defiantly. “ After all. I’ve got to do what I think is best. I had to get work somewhere, while the cattle -re coming along.’’ Almost, she thought guiltily, he had persuaded himself that it was true. But. her loyalty instantly asserted ’ itself. “ I know, Char’.. There’s no need to talk of it any more. Tell me about Yambatilli.”

“ I see a good deal of Onslowe.” Chari said abruptly. He added : “ Damn him.” \ You don’t like him?” Luce asked, after a little silence. She spoke quite .coolly. “Why, Chari?” "You know I never liked him. He tries to make up to me—but I reckon he only wants a chance to show how superior he is.” . “ Yon mean he despises you—us, I moan?” Chari laughed shortly. What the hell do we care. Luce, you ought to see the way he Snoops around Miss Nye. It would make you laugh.” “ Snoops?” “I hate the sight of him,” the noy Said violently. “ Damn it, you know

what I mean. Onslowe’s in love with Noli Nye. Yes, it would make you laugh.” “ I don't know that I’m interested enough,” Luee said clearly. Her eyes were wide find expressionless, but her mouth was twisted with an odd appearance. of cruelty. “ I don’t suppose I shall ever see David again. He was—just a passing incident, so far as Dragonfly is concerned.”

“ Just that,” Chari agreed, with satisfaction. “ I’ve told him so.” ‘‘You told him so?” u Why not, if it’s true?” “Why not, indeed?” Luce repeated mechanically. Chari went on triumphantly: “It made him look silly, Luce. And Miss Nye standing right here listening. For all his money he isn’t as good as a Cardew. Miss Nye thinks he’s a bit of a joke, if you ask me. He’s got mighty little hope there. But, of course, she’s polite enough to him. He's her father’s guest.” “ How do you know this? ” asked Luce. Her brows wore contracted. “ Did Miss Nye tell you?” “ Not in so many words,” Chari admitted. He seemed to be smiling secretly. “ But I’m just telling you.” “ Because if she did, she had not the least right to,” Luce said startingly. She paused a second, biting her lip. “ Chari, I—Chari, (you don't know Miss Nye very well, after all—now do you? Sometimes people say things—imply things, just in fun. I don’t know her, of course.” His eyes darkened.

“ I reckon you don’t. I’ve talked quite a lot with her, Luce. She knows we’re —I mean, there’s good blood in us—Nell Nye isn’t a bit like she seemed the day Barney was run over. She takes a big interest in Dragonfly. We’re friends, Luce.”

“ Are you, dear? I'm—glad.” All her love for him wanted to cry a warning, but her courage was somehow not equal just then to the task. She had no illusions whatever about Nell Nye. The girl was incapable. Luce believed, of any sacrifice of self. Men were her playthings, the sport of her cruelty. It was as natural for her to deceive as it was for her to breathe.

Chari was leaning forward. Luee saw that his lips were trembling, as though he were on the verge of some impassioned confession. She felt that she must prevent this at any cost, as if to listen was somehow a betrayal of him. And with a sudden awkward movement she sent a cup and saucer crashing to the floor. “ Chari, look what I’ve done. I think I get clumsier every day. Never minci the pieces.” But the trick had served her. She saw in his eyes that his moment was past. His thoughts were drawn again into the recesses of his mind. When he spoke it was to make some reference to Dragonfly.

“ Time the dry spell broke, Luce. I was noticing the grass as I came along. It’s as nearly brittle as it can get. Winds, but no rain.’’

“ They’ll come, Chari. Is it as parched on Yambatilli?”

“ Except on the flats,” he iiodded. “ The country’s tinder on the plains. George Nye does nothing but grumble. And yet he’s got all that bore water. How’s the spring? ” “ Pretty feeble.” Luce’s face fell as he reached for his hat. “ Must you go yet? I suppose you must. Chari, do take care of yourself.” “ Sure thing,” he laughed.

Luce was silent until he went to mount his horse. She held him tightly a moment •then, crying a little inexplicably: “ Chari, have you ever thought that there’s only us left? All of the Cardews, I mean. We’ll always be dear to each other—promise me.” “Lord, Luce, you say. the queerest things. Why shouldn’t we? ” “ Never mind me,” Luee said, catching his look of impatience. “ I expect I was being silly. Of course there’s no reason why not. It was just that we’ve only got each other left.” “ You haven’t named the pup,” Chari reminded her, from the saddle. “ I have. I’m going to call him Bonzer. It’s a good Australian word. Good-bye, Chari.” He called back over his shoulder as he went: “Better thank old Souse for him, Luce.” “ I’ll be in Birdseye to-morrow,” she promised. Noon next day saw her riding into the yard of the hotel. As she came from the stables there was a sudden' outcry. She saw a side door of the hotel open to the furious exit of a man. He rolled over and over in the red dust, yelping blasphemous retort at his ejector, who spat sourly after him from the doorway. Luce knew the second man for the landlord, Martin Mohr, one of Mack's

creatures and tenants. He was squat and ugly, with a bristle of black hair and whiskers. His voice rasped. “ Maybe that’ll teach yer to keep the lid on yer mouth, yer boozy old liar.” The door slammed, and Luce was left to stare at the wizened imbecility that was Souse, rising with delirious imprecation from the yard refuse at her feet. The old man’s toothless mouth hung open, and his red-rimmed eyes were spitting. He reminded Luce somehow of a trapped tiger-cat. She experienced a disgust at the mouthing, woman’s screaming of him. “Am I a liar . . . am I? Ain’t I seen ’em plenty of times . . . ain’t I? “■Boss of Birdseye, is he? And that painted miss of Geordie Nye’s . . . aye, and I know more’n that . . . that I do . . .”

“ Be quiet,” Luce commanded, a little out of breath.

There was no recognition in the wreck’s look. His scrawny jaws, with their thinsprouting filament of beard, champed viciously. One shaking fist beat the air.

T’ hell with you, Martin, and all yer brood. Aye, I know more’n that, too. What old Souse don’t know would go in yer empty heads. £ Who played the dirt on Carey C’ardew . . .” A hand slid over his mouth and nose, choking his sciearning to a whine. Luce saw that Bill Quiet, apparently appearing from nowhere, was shaking the old man into silence and sanity. The trooper s voice was coldly warning. Quit it, vou old devil. Can’t you see Miss Cardew’s alongside you? Language! . . . I’ll language you . . .’’ “ Please don’t hurt him,” Luce interceded. “ I don’t think he knew what he was saying. I’m sure he never saw me . . .”

“ Someone ought to find a hole and bury’ him,” Quiet grunted. But he released Souse forthwith. “ I’ll darn well do it myself if he don’t apologise. Here . . . you beg Miss Cardew’s pardon.” “ It doesn’t really matter,” said Luce, suddenly pitiful of the bedraggled humanity that confronted her. “ He’s so—so old, Mr Quiet.” “ And nasty,” the trooper added, grinning. He said inexorably : “ Get it over, Souse.”

“ ’Polergise,” Souse mumbled. He held his head cunningly on one side, blinking at her. “ I never seed yer—that I didn’t.” He added aggressively, to Bill Quiet: “ You keep yer dooks off me, or maybe I’ll hit yer.” “Go along,” Quiet enjoined, giving him a little push. “ Wait a minute,” Luce called to the shambling figure. “ I really wanted to see you to-day, Souse, to thank you for the pup. Chari gave him to me yesterday. I just love him.” “ Pup! ” the rouseabout echoed. His dull eye brightened. “ Sure —I remember. Well, you’re welcome.” Luce wanted to ask him what his reference to her grandfather had meant, but Bill Quiet was listening amusedly. She said. instead, “ I’ve called him Bonzer. Jim Birkett is going to train •him for me.”

“How's Chari making out?” the trooper asked. “ Splendidly, thanks. Isn’t Souse funny? Poor old man.” “ Funny I ” Quiet’s expression _ implied that the point of view had not previously occurred to him. “ You mean batty, Miss Cardew, don’t you? Yes, he’s as mad as a bagful of snakes. I hope he didn’t shock you too much.” “ Not a "bit, thanks to your coming,” Luce smiled. She nodded and passed on. The roadway was a drifting veil of dust in the wake of a passing horse teant Men

stood in little knots here and there, yarning loud-mouthcdly, or transacting scraps of business. In front of the store she came face to face with Addie.

“ Luce! ” “ You look quite surprised to see me,” Luce told her.

“ Not surprised,” Addie said doubtfully. Her faded eyes surveyed the girl almost hungrily. “ How are things with you at Dragonfly?” There was no sneer in the listless voice, but rather a sort of anxious impatience. ' Luce said cheerfully: “ Oh, we’re dodging along, you know. It’s a dear old Dragonfly. Once the rains come the country will pick up wonderfully. And I’ve got uncle Marmie and Jim helping me.”

“ I heard that,” said Addie. She flushed and paled again. Suddenly she said, in an earnest undertone: “ Luce, if Mack tells you Dragonfly’s credit is good a while longer, after all—” Luce grasped the implication at once. To the warning in Addie’s eyes she replied: “It isn’t likely that he will, is it? But if he did, it wouldn't be wise of me to listen. I hate owing as much as I do, without adding to it.” “ You know best,” Addie murmured. She was about to say more when her manner became constrained. She flushed again, smiled uneasily, and moved away. She said hastily: “ I must be going.” “ So must I,” Luce said.

She understood Addie’s demeanour as she turned aside. Mack was leaning against the post of the store, staring after Addie’s hurrying figure. Luce would have avoided him if she had been able,

but the boss of Birdseye gave her no opportunity. He switched his eyes towards her, and she saw his teeth bare in a slow smile.” “ Why, Luce, I didn’t know you were in town. That’s great. I've been wanting to see you.” “ Yes,” she said coldly. Mack lounged forward. His mouth was pouting ingratiatingly. You’re looking fine,” he said. “ I’m in rather a hurry, Mr M'Murtrie. wl.at is it?” “ Why, now—” He began to scold her with oily good humour. “Not such a hurry you can’t talk with your friends. Well, but look here, Luce. I’ve been tuning Addie up about her hardness. I’ve got her to step down. And it wasn’t easy, I can tell you. It’s a queer streak in her—l mean the way she says she’s got no friends in business dealing. Still, I suppose I ought to be glad she watches out for my interests.” Luce felt her loathing of him surge sickly. How dare he think he could deceive her so blatantly? What a despicable thing he was, with his fawning hypocrisy—thrusting the burden of his utter swinishness upon the shaking shoulders of his wife. She wanted to beat the smile from his face with her two hands. She had difficulty in controlling her voice. “ What is it you want to say, Mr M'Murtrie?” He whispered confidentially, glancing from one side to the other: “ It’ll be all right about Dragonfly’s account, Luce. I said I was your friend, didn’t I? I got Addie to say you could carry on.” “Thank you,” Luce said clearly. “It’s very good of you, but I prefer to pay what I already owe. I’ve thought it over, you see. Good morning, Mr M'Murtrie.” Unheeding his affected regrets she walked on with her head high, her colour ebbing and flowing. So much for that, she thought. And she was suddenly

warmly, lovingly giateful to Addie. She could not imagine what this change of front had been meant to portend, but she believed that Addie must know. She hoped that Mack had not overheard anything Addie had said to her. Life, she thought, must be inexcusably difficult enough for Addie, as it was. There was a mist in Luce's eyes. , . Laughter, bubbling at the sight of Sergeant Green, came to her relief. Green was asleep and snoring on his veranda. His obesity rose from the boards like a hillock. She counted five chins upon the collar of his opened tunic. So seemingly unconscious human flesh she had never known. From his immobility he might have been dead. And yet, as she tiptoed past him to the door, his voice rumbled at her back in casual greeting. ‘‘Hot enough, Luce?” “ I thought you were asleep,” she said jumpily.

“ The law . . .” Green began. He came erect from his waist up and yawned prodigiously. “ But you’ve heard that one, haven’t you? Nothing wrong?” Only a social visit. Is Mrs Green too busy to see me, do you think? ” (< “Affection,” the sergeant accused. A.ou know that mother’s never too busy to see anyone she likes. Go right in and find her.”

Luce curtsied impudently. That’s the first compliment you’ve ever paid me. Thank you, kind' sir.” Green’s face was primly tender as he fell back on the boards and composed his bulk afresh. He puffed contentedly at the sizzling iron roof. “ She’s like a dragonfly herself. . . the wav ehe flutters round on a bodv’s heart.” In the kitchen Luce was thanking Mrs Green for the stores.

"You’re so good to me, aren't you? I could have cried ... I did cry, when Uncle Marmie and Jim turned up. But I don’t know how I shall ever be able to repay you. . .”

Rubbish,” Mrs Green said briskly. She kissed Luce on both cheeks and blinked a little. “ Were you to be left to starve? With those great hulking men to feed. . , Were you talking to Albert just now ? ”

“ Yes. I thought Mr Green was asleep, but he wasn’t. He always looks to be asleep, but somehow he never is.”

That’s the way he does his thinking,” Mrs Green explained. Her eyes shone “ He’s too heavy ’to move around "much you know. So lie lies about and thinks, and then sends Bill Quiet out, and nine times out of ten he’s right.”

I think that’s clever,” Luce praised warmly. “ People that don’t know him think he’s lazy,” Mrs Greene elaborated pityingly. “ It’s just what he wants them to think. It makes them careless of him, d’you see, and then he catches them. He questions people and trips them up. And before they know it - they find thmselves confessing. And he does it fairly, too.” “ I should be horribly scared if I did anything very wrong,” Luce admitted. “ Fancy trying to get away from the sergeant. He’s so huge that I’m sure the very thought would paralyse my legs. I should just meekly hold out my wrists for handcuffs.”

“Foolish child.” Mrs Oreen smiled. Albert loves you.” (To be continued.)