Rage (40 page)
Authors: Wilbur Smith
S
hasa enjoyed the Houses of Parliament. They were like an exclusive men's club. He liked the grandeur of white columns and lofty halls, the exotic tiles on the floors, the panelling and the green leather-covered benches. He often paused in the labyrinth of corridors to admire the paintings and the sculpted busts of famous men, Merriman and Louis Botha, Cecil Rhodes and Leander Starr Jameson, heroes and rogues, statesmen and adventurers. They had made this country's history â and then he reminded himself.
hasa enjoyed the Houses of Parliament. They were like an exclusive men's club. He liked the grandeur of white columns and lofty halls, the exotic tiles on the floors, the panelling and the green leather-covered benches. He often paused in the labyrinth of corridors to admire the paintings and the sculpted busts of famous men, Merriman and Louis Botha, Cecil Rhodes and Leander Starr Jameson, heroes and rogues, statesmen and adventurers. They had made this country's history â and then he reminded himself.
âHistory is a river that never ends. Today is history, and I am here at the fountainhead,' and he imagined his own portrait hanging there with the others one day. âI'll have it commissioned at once,' he thought. âWhile I am still in my prime. For the time being I'll hang it at Weltevreden, but I'll put a clause in my will.'
As a minister, he now had his own office in the House, the same suite of rooms that had been used by Cecil Rhodes when he was Prime Minister of the old Cape parliament before the House had been enlarged and extended. Shasa redecorated and furnished it at his own expense. Thesens, the timber firm from Knysna, installed the panelling. It was indigenous wild olive, marvellously grained and with a satiny lustre. He hung four of his finest Pierneef landscapes
on the panelling, with a Van Wouw bronze of a Bushman hunter standing on the table beneath them. Although he was determined to keep the artwork authentically African, the carpet was the choicest green Wilton and his desk Louis XIV.
on the panelling, with a Van Wouw bronze of a Bushman hunter standing on the table beneath them. Although he was determined to keep the artwork authentically African, the carpet was the choicest green Wilton and his desk Louis XIV.
It felt strange to enter the chamber for the first time to take his place on the government front bench, a mirror image of his usual view. He ignored the hostile glances of his erstwhile colleagues, smiling only at Blaine's expressionless wink and while the Speaker of the House read the prayer, he measured the men to whom he had transferred his allegiance.
His reflections were interrupted as the Speaker of the House ended the prayer, and across the floor De Villiers Graaff, the tall, handsome Leader of the Opposition, rose to propose the traditional vote of no confidence, while the government members, smug and cocksure, still revelling in their heady election triumph, mocked him noisily with cries of
âSkande!
Scandal!' and
âSiestog, man!
Shame on you, man!'
âSkande!
Scandal!' and
âSiestog, man!
Shame on you, man!'
Two days later Shasa rose to deliver his first speech from the government front benches and pandemonium seized the House: His former comrades howled their contempt and waved their order papers at him, stamping their feet and whistling with outrage, while his newly adopted party roared encouragement and support.
Tall and elegant, smiling with scorn, switching easily from English to Afrikaans, Shasa gradually quietened the benches opposite him with his low-key but riveting oratorial style, and once he had their attention he made them squirm uneasily as he dissected their party with an insider's surgical skill then held up their weaknesses and blemishes for them to contemplate.
When he sat down he left them severely discomforted, and the Prime Minister leaned forward in his seat to nod at him, an unprecedented public accolade, while most of the
other ministers, even those northerners most hostile to his appointment, passed him notes of congratulation. Manfred De La Rey's note invited him to join a party of senior ministers for lunch in the members' dining-room. It was an auspicious beginning.
other ministers, even those northerners most hostile to his appointment, passed him notes of congratulation. Manfred De La Rey's note invited him to join a party of senior ministers for lunch in the members' dining-room. It was an auspicious beginning.
Blaine Malcomess and Centaine came out to Weltevreden for the weekend. As usual the family spent all of Saturday afternoon at the polo field. Blaine had recently resigned as captain of the South African team.
âIt's obscene for a man over sixty to still be playing,' he had explained his decision to Shasa.
âYou are better than most of us youngsters of forty, Blaine, and you know it.'
âWouldn't it be pleasant to keep the captaincy in the family?' Blaine suggested.
âI've only got one eye.'
âOh, tush, a man. You hit the ball as sweetly as you ever did. It's simply a matter of practice and more practice.'
âI don't have the time for that,' Shasa protested.
âThere is time for everything in life that you really want.' So Blaine forced him to practise, but deep down he knew that Shasa had lost interest in ball games and would never captain the national team. Oh, certainly he still rode like a centaur, his arm was strong and true and he had the courage of a lion when he was roused, but these days it needed stronger medicine to get his blood racing.
âIt's a strange paradox that a man gifted with too many talents can fritter them all away without developing a single one to its full.' At that thought Blaine looked from Shasa to his sons.
As always Sean and Garrick had joined in the practice uninvited, and though they could not come close to matching the furious pace and skill of their elders, they were acting as pick-up men and passers for them.
Sean rode as his father had at that age and it gave Blaine a nostalgic pang to watch him. The horse was a part of
him, the accord between rider and mount was total, his stick work was natural and unforced, but he lost interest quickly and made sloppy little errors, was more interested in teasing his brother and showing off and making eyes at the young girls in the stand than in perfecting his style.
him, the accord between rider and mount was total, his stick work was natural and unforced, but he lost interest quickly and made sloppy little errors, was more interested in teasing his brother and showing off and making eyes at the young girls in the stand than in perfecting his style.
Garrick was the opposite of his elder brother. He rode with enough sunlight shining between the saddle-leather and his bum to dazzle a blind man. However, his concentration was absolute, and he scowled murderously at the ball through his spectacles, using his stick with all the grace of a labourer digging a trench, but it was surprising how often he got a solid strike and how the bamboo-root ball flew when he did. Then Blaine was amazed by the sudden change in his physique. From the skinny little runt he had been not long before, he was almost grotesquely overdeveloped in shoulder and chest and upper arms for a child of his age. Yet when they went in for tea and dismounted, his still skinny legs gave him an unfortunate anthropoid appearance. When he removed his riding cap, his hair stuck up in unruly dark spikes, and while Sean sauntered across to make the girls giggle and blush, Garrick stayed close to his father. Again Blaine was surprised at how often Shasa spoke directly to the child, even demonstrating a fine point of grip by rearranging his fingers on the handle of the stick, and when he perfected it, Shasa punched his arm lightly and told him:
âThat's it, champ. We'll get you into a green and gold jersey one day.'
Garrick's glow of gratification was touching to watch, and Blaine exchanged a glance with Centaine. Not long before, they had discussed Shasa's total lack of interest in the child, and the detrimental effect that it might have on him. Their fears for Garrick seemed to have been unfounded, Blaine conceded, it was the other two they should have been worrying about.
Michael was not riding today. He had hurt his wrist, a
mysterious injury which although excruciatingly painful showed no bruising nor swelling. It was astonishing how often that wrist, or his ankle or his knee, plagued him whenever there was the prospect of hard physical exercise in the offing. Blaine frowned as he glanced at him now, sitting beside Tara at the tea table under the oaks, both their heads bowed over a book of poetry. Neither of them had looked up once during all the shouting and galloping and ribald exchanges on the field. Blaine was a firm believer in the old adage that a young man should have a disciplined mind in a healthy body, and should be able to join robustly in the rough and tumble of life. He had spoken to Tara about him, but though she had promised to encourage Michael's participation in sport and games, Blaine had not noticed any evidence that she had done so.
mysterious injury which although excruciatingly painful showed no bruising nor swelling. It was astonishing how often that wrist, or his ankle or his knee, plagued him whenever there was the prospect of hard physical exercise in the offing. Blaine frowned as he glanced at him now, sitting beside Tara at the tea table under the oaks, both their heads bowed over a book of poetry. Neither of them had looked up once during all the shouting and galloping and ribald exchanges on the field. Blaine was a firm believer in the old adage that a young man should have a disciplined mind in a healthy body, and should be able to join robustly in the rough and tumble of life. He had spoken to Tara about him, but though she had promised to encourage Michael's participation in sport and games, Blaine had not noticed any evidence that she had done so.
There was a chorus of muted shrieks and giggles behind him, and Blaine glanced over his shoulder. Wherever Sean was these days there seemed always to be a flock of females. He attracted them the way a tree full of fruit brings a swarm of noisy mousebirds to it. Blaine had no idea who all these girls belonged to, some of them were the daughters of the estate managers and of Shasa's German wine-maker, the pretty blonde child was the American Consul's daughter and the two little dark ones were the French Ambassador's, but the others were unknown â probably the offspring of the half-dozen politicians and other members of the diplomatic corps who made up the usual guest-list for Saturday high tea at Weltevreden.
âShouldn't really interfere,' Blaine grumbled to himself. âBut I think I'll have a word with Shasa. No good speaking to Tara. She's too soft by a long chalk.' Blaine glanced around and saw that Shasa had left the group at the tea table under the oaks and had moved down the pony lines. He was squatting with one of the grooms to examine the fore hock of his favourite pony, a powerful stallion he had named Kenyatta, because he was black and dangerous.
âGood opportunity,' Blaine grunted and went to join Shasa. They discussed taping the pony's leg, his only weak point, and then stood up.
âHow's Sean making out at Bishops?' Blaine asked casually, and Shasa looked surprised.
âTara been talking to your he asked. Sean had gone up to the senior school at the beginning of the year, after ending as head boy and captain of sport at his preparatory school.
âHaving trouble?' Blaine asked.
âGoing through a phase,' Shasa shrugged. âHe'll be all right. He has too much talent not to make good in the end.'
âWhat happened?'
âNothing to worry about. He's become a bit of a rebel, and his grades have gone to hell. I gave him the sweet end of the riding-crop. Only language he speaks fluently. He'll be all right, Blaine, don't worry.'
âFor some people it's all too easy,' Blaine remarked. âThey get into the habit of free-wheeling through life.' He saw Shasa bridle slightly, and realized he was taking the remark personally. Good, he thought, let him â and he went on deliberately, âYou should know, Shasa. You have the same weakness.'
âI suppose you do have the right to speak to me like that. The only man in the world who does,' Shasa mused. âBut don't expect me to enjoy it, Blaine.'
âI expect young Sean cannot accept criticism either,' Blaine said. âHe's the one I wanted to talk about, not you. How did we end up discussing you? However, since we are, let an old dog give a few words of caution to both of you. Firstly, don't dismiss Sean's behaviour too lightly, you may just find yourself with a serious problem one day, if you don't check it now. Some people have to have constant stimulation or else they get bored. I think Sean might be
one of those. They become addicted to excitement and danger. Watch him, Shasa.'
one of those. They become addicted to excitement and danger. Watch him, Shasa.'
âThank you, Blaine,' Shasa nodded, but he was not grateful.
âAs for you, Shasa. You have been playing life like a game.'
âThat's all it is, surely,' Shasa agreed.
âIf you truly believe that, then you have no right to take on the responsibility of cabinet rank,' Blaine said softly. âNo, Shasa. You have made yourself responsible for the welfare of sixteen million souls. It's no longer a game, but a sacred trust.'
They had stopped walking and turned to face each other.
âThink about that, Shasa,' Blaine said. âI believe that there are dark and difficult days ahead, and you won't be playing for an increase in company dividends â you will be playing for the survival of a nation, and if you fail, it will mean the end of the world you know. You will not suffer aloneâ'
Blaine turned to Isabella as she ran to him.
âGrandpapa! Grandpapa!' she cried. âI want to show you the new pony Daddy gave me,' and they both looked down at the beautiful child.
âNo, Shasa, not you alone,' Blaine repeated, and took the child's hand.
âAll right, Bella,' he said. âLet's go down to the stables.'
S
hasa had found that Blaine's words were like arrowgrass seeds. They scratched when they first attached themselves to your clothing, and then gradually worked themselves deeper until they penetrated the skin to cause real pain. Those words were still with him when he
went into the cabinet room on Monday morning and took his place at the foot of the table, as befitted the most junior member of the gathering.
hasa had found that Blaine's words were like arrowgrass seeds. They scratched when they first attached themselves to your clothing, and then gradually worked themselves deeper until they penetrated the skin to cause real pain. Those words were still with him when he
went into the cabinet room on Monday morning and took his place at the foot of the table, as befitted the most junior member of the gathering.
Before Blaine had spoken to him, Shasa had considered these meetings no more important than, say, a full board meeting of Courtney Mining and Finance. Naturally, he prepared himself as thoroughly, not only were his own notes exhaustive and cogent but he had assembled full portfolios on every other member of the cabinet. Blaine had helped him with this work, and the results had been fed into the company computer and were kept up to the minute. After a lifetime in politics, Blaine was a skilled analyst and he had been able to trace in the tenuous and concealed lines of loyalty and commitment that bound this group of important men together.
At the broadest level every single one of them, apart from Shasa, was a member of the
Broederbond
â the Brotherhood â that invidious secret society of eminent Afrikaners whose single object was to advance the interest of the Afrikaner above all others at every possible turn and at every level from that of national politics through business and the economy, on down to the levels of education and the civil service. No outsider could ever hope to fathom its ramifications, for it was protected by a curtain of silence which no Afrikaner dared to break. It united them all, no matter whether they were members of the Calvinist Dutch Reformed Church or of the even more extreme
Dopper
Church, the Hervormde Church which by Article No. 3 of its charter had ordained that heaven was reserved exclusively for members of the white race. The
Broederbond
united even the southerners, the Cape Nationalists, and those hard men from the north.
Broederbond
â the Brotherhood â that invidious secret society of eminent Afrikaners whose single object was to advance the interest of the Afrikaner above all others at every possible turn and at every level from that of national politics through business and the economy, on down to the levels of education and the civil service. No outsider could ever hope to fathom its ramifications, for it was protected by a curtain of silence which no Afrikaner dared to break. It united them all, no matter whether they were members of the Calvinist Dutch Reformed Church or of the even more extreme
Dopper
Church, the Hervormde Church which by Article No. 3 of its charter had ordained that heaven was reserved exclusively for members of the white race. The
Broederbond
united even the southerners, the Cape Nationalists, and those hard men from the north.
As Shasa rearranged his thick sheaf of notes, which he would not need since they were already committed to memory, he glanced down the table and saw how the two opposing forces in the cabinet had arranged themselves like
the grouping of an army. Shasa was quite obviously arrayed with the southerners under Dr Theophilus Dönges, one of the most senior men, who had been a member of the cabinet since Dr Malan brought the party to power in 1948. He was leader of the party in the Cape, and Manfred De La Rey was one of his men. However, they were the smaller and least influential of the two groups. The northerners comprised both the Transvalers and the Orange Free Staters, and amongst them were the most formidable politicians in the land.
the grouping of an army. Shasa was quite obviously arrayed with the southerners under Dr Theophilus Dönges, one of the most senior men, who had been a member of the cabinet since Dr Malan brought the party to power in 1948. He was leader of the party in the Cape, and Manfred De La Rey was one of his men. However, they were the smaller and least influential of the two groups. The northerners comprised both the Transvalers and the Orange Free Staters, and amongst them were the most formidable politicians in the land.
Strangely, in this assembly of impressive men, Shasa's attention went to a man who had been a member of the Senate as long as Shasa had himself been a member of the lower house. Before his appointment to the Senate in 1948, Verwoerd had been the editor of
Die Transvaler
, and before that he had been a professor at Stellenbosch University. Shasa knew that he had lectured to Manfred De La Rey when he was a student, and had exerted enormous influence upon him. However, they were in different camps now, Verwoerd was of the north. Since 1950 he had been Minister of Bantu Affairs, with godlike powers over the black population, and had made his name synonymous with the ideal of racial segregation at all levels of society.
Die Transvaler
, and before that he had been a professor at Stellenbosch University. Shasa knew that he had lectured to Manfred De La Rey when he was a student, and had exerted enormous influence upon him. However, they were in different camps now, Verwoerd was of the north. Since 1950 he had been Minister of Bantu Affairs, with godlike powers over the black population, and had made his name synonymous with the ideal of racial segregation at all levels of society.
For a man with such a monumental reputation for racial intolerance, the architect of the great edifice of
apartheid
which was being erected with intricate interlocking laws that dictated every aspect of the lives of the country's millions of black people, his appearance and manner were a pleasant surprise. His smile was kindly, almost benign, and he was quietly spoken but persuasive as he rose to address the cabinet and explain with the aid of a specially prepared map of South Africa his plans for the rearrangement of black population densities.
apartheid
which was being erected with intricate interlocking laws that dictated every aspect of the lives of the country's millions of black people, his appearance and manner were a pleasant surprise. His smile was kindly, almost benign, and he was quietly spoken but persuasive as he rose to address the cabinet and explain with the aid of a specially prepared map of South Africa his plans for the rearrangement of black population densities.
Tall and slightly round-shouldered, with his curly hair beginning to turn to silver, there could be little doubt of his utmost sincerity and belief in the absolute rightness of
his conclusions. Shasa found himself being carried along on the plausible flood of his logic. Although his voice was pitched a little too high, and the tense note of his monologue grated on the ear, he carried them all on the strength, not only of his total conviction, but also of his personality. Even his opponents were filled with awe at his debating ability.
his conclusions. Shasa found himself being carried along on the plausible flood of his logic. Although his voice was pitched a little too high, and the tense note of his monologue grated on the ear, he carried them all on the strength, not only of his total conviction, but also of his personality. Even his opponents were filled with awe at his debating ability.
Only one small detail worried Shasa. Verwoerd's blue eyes were slitted, as though he were always looking into the sun, and though they were surrounded by a complex web of laughter lines, they were cold eyes, the eyes of a machine-gunner staring over the sights of his weapon.
Blaine's words came back to Shasa as he sat at the polished stinkwood table. âNo, Shasa, it's not a game. You have made yourself responsible for the welfare of sixteen million souls. It's no longer a game, but a sacred trust.'
But he remained expressionless as Verwoerd ended his presentation. âNot one of us here today doubts that South Africa is a white man's country. My proposals will see to it that within the reserves the natives will have some measure of autonomy. However, as to the country as a whole, and the European areas in particular, we the white people are and shall remain the masters.'
There was a general murmur of agreement and approbation, and two of the others asked for clarification on minor points. There was no call to vote or to make any joint decision, for Verwoerd's lecture had been in the form of a report back from his department.
âI think that Dr Henk has covered this subject fully â unless anybody else has a question, we can go on to the next matter on the agenda.' The Prime Minister looked down the table at Shasa. The agenda read:
ITEM TWO: Projection by the Hon. Minister for Mines and Industry on the capital requirements of the private
industrial sector over the next ten years and the proposal of means to satisfy such requirements.
industrial sector over the next ten years and the proposal of means to satisfy such requirements.
This morning would be the first time Shasa would address the full cabinet, and he hoped he would muster only a small portion of Verwoerd's aplomb and persuasion.
His nervousness faded as soon as he rose to speak, for he had prepared in depth and detail. He began with an assessment of the foreign capital needs of the economy over the next decade, âto carry us through to the end of the 1960s', and then set out to estimate the amounts available to them from their traditional markets within the British Commonwealth.
âAs you see, this leaves us with a considerable shortfall, particularly in mining, the new oil-from-coal industry and the armaments sector. This is how I propose that shortfall should be met: in the first instance we have to look to the United States of America. That country is a potential source of capital that has barely been tappedâ'
He held their attention completely as he described his department's plans to advertise the country as a prosperous market amongst the American business leaders, and to entice as many of them as he could to visit South Africa at the expense of his department. He also intended establishing associations with sympathetic and influential politicians and businessmen in the United States and the United Kingdom to promote the âcountry's image, and to this end he had already contacted Lord Littleton, head of Littleton Merchant Bank, who had agreed to act as Chairman of the British South Africa Club. A similar association, the American South Africa Club, would be formed in the United States.
Shasa was encouraged by the obviously favourable reception of his presentation to continue with a matter he had not intended raising.
âWe have just heard from Dr Verwoerd the proposal to build up self-governing black states within the country. I don't wish to tackle the political aspects of this scheme, but as a businessman I feel that I am competent to bring to your attention the final cost, in financial rather than human terms, of putting this into practice.'
Shasa went on swiftly to outline the massive obstacles in logistics and lost productivity that would result.
âWe will have to duplicate a number of times the basic structures of the state in various parts of the country, and we must expect the bill for this to run into many billions of pounds. That money could more profitably be invested in wealth-producing undertakingsâ'
Across the table he saw Verwoerd's great charm ice over with a crust of hostility. Shasa knew he was autocratic and contemptuous of criticism, and he sensed that he was taking a risk by antagonizing a man who might one day wield ultimate power, but he went on doggedly.
âThe proposal has another flaw. By decentralizing industry we will make it less effective and competitive. In a modern age when all countries are economically in competition with each other, we will be placing a handicap on ourselves.'
When he sat down he saw that though he might have convinced nobody, he had given them much to think about seriously and soberly, and when the meeting ended, one or two of the other ministers, most of them southerners, stayed to exchange a few words with him. Shasa sensed that he had enhanced his reputation and consolidated his place in the cabinet with that afternoon's work, and he drove back to Weltevreden feeling well pleased with himself.
He dropped his briefcase on the desk in his study and, hearing voices out on the terrace, went out into the late sunshine. The guest that Tara was entertaining was the headmaster of Bishops. Usually this worthy would summon the parents of recalcitrant pupils to appear before him as
summarily as he did their offspring. This did not apply to the Courtney family. Centaine Courtney-Malcomess had been a governor of the school for almost thirty years, the only woman on the board. Her son had been head boy before the war and was now on the board with his mother, and both of them were major contributors to the College's coffers â amongst their gifts were the organ, the plate-glass windows in the new chapel, and the new kitchens to the main dining-hall. The headmaster had come to call upon Shasa, rather than the other way around. However, Tara was looking uneasy and stood up to greet Shasa with relief.
summarily as he did their offspring. This did not apply to the Courtney family. Centaine Courtney-Malcomess had been a governor of the school for almost thirty years, the only woman on the board. Her son had been head boy before the war and was now on the board with his mother, and both of them were major contributors to the College's coffers â amongst their gifts were the organ, the plate-glass windows in the new chapel, and the new kitchens to the main dining-hall. The headmaster had come to call upon Shasa, rather than the other way around. However, Tara was looking uneasy and stood up to greet Shasa with relief.
âHello, Headmaster.' Shasa shook hands, but was not encouraged by the head's lugubrious expression.
âHeadmaster wants to talk to you about Sean,' Tara explained. âI think a man-to-man chat will be appropriate, so I will leave the two of you alone while I go and get a fresh pot of tea.'
She slipped away, and Shasa asked genially, âSun's over the yard arm. May I offer you a whisky, Headmaster?'
âNo thank you, Mr Courtney.' That he had not used Shasa's Christian name was ominous, and Shasa adjusted his own expression to the correct degree of solemnity and took the chair beside him.
âSean, hey? So what has that little hooligan been up to now?'
Tara opened the door to the dining-room quietly and crossed the floor to stand behind the drapes. She waited until the voices on the terrace were so intense and serious that she could be certain that Shasa would be there for the next hour at the least. She turned quickly and left the dining-room, closing the door behind her, and went swiftly down the wide marble-tiled passageway, past the library and the gun room. The door to Shasa's study was unlocked, the only doors ever locked at Weltevreden were those to the wine cellar.
Shasa's briefcase stood in the middle of his desk. She
opened it and saw the blue folder embossed with the coat of arms of the state which contained the typed minutes of that day's cabinet meeting. She knew that numbered copies were made and distributed to each minister at the end of the weekly meetings, and she had expected to find it in his case.
opened it and saw the blue folder embossed with the coat of arms of the state which contained the typed minutes of that day's cabinet meeting. She knew that numbered copies were made and distributed to each minister at the end of the weekly meetings, and she had expected to find it in his case.
She lifted it out, careful not to disarrange anything else in the crocodile-skin attaché case, and carried it to the table beside the french doors. The light was better here, and in addition, by glancing around the drapes, she could see down the terrace to where Shasa and the headmaster were still deep in conversation under the trellis of vines.
Quickly she arranged the blue sheets on the table, and then focused the tiny camera that she took from the pocket of her skirt. It was the size of a cigarette-lighter. She was still unaccustomed to the mechanism, and her hands were shaking with nervousness. It was the first time she had done this.
Molly had given her the camera at their last meeting, and explained that their friends were so pleased by the quality of the information she was providing that they wanted to make her job easier for her. Her fingers felt like pork sausages as she manipulated the tiny knobs and snapped each of the sheets twice, to cover herself against possible mistakes of exposure or focus. Then she slipped the camera back into her pocket, before stacking the sheets in their folder and replacing it carefully in Shasa's briefcase in exactly the same way she had found it.
She was so nervous that her bladder felt as though it might burst and she had to run down the passage to the downstairs toilet. She only just reached it in time. Five minutes later she carried the silver Queen Anne teapot out on to the terrace. Usually this would have annoyed Shasa, who did not like her to usurp the servants' work, especially in front of guests. However, he was too engrossed in his discussion with the headmaster to notice.
âI find it difficult to believe that it is anything more than robust boyish spirits, Headmaster.' He was frowning as he sat forward in his chair, hands on his knees, to confront the schoolmaster.
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