Sister of the Housemaster (24 page)

“
Oh Laurence,
”
she said, apologetically.

“
We hardly need explanations, do we? I am not blind, you know. I know quite well
—
indeed, half the school must know
—
that you and Patrick mean a great deal to each other.
”
 

“
I
’
m so terribly sorry. I really do not know how I could have behaved as I did. And to hurt you so.
”

“
I did not exist for you. Only Patrick existed. You love him, Ingrid?
”

“
Yes.
”

“
Why didn
’
t you tell me before?
”

“
I never knew that Patrick loved me. I tried to be honest. I always told you, Laurence, that I did not love you
—
not in the way I should for marriage.
”

“
But you did not tell me that you loved somebody else, am so, of course. I hoped you would come to love me.
”

“
I am so sorry. I wouldn
’
t have wished to hurt you for the world, Laurence.
”

“
And so, Ingrid, I have to let you go. Do I?
”
Although they talked a little longer, they had really said everything there wa
s
to say. Both knew there was only one thing to be done
—
to say their good-byes and to part. Ingrid went away with a heavy heart.

After lunch, to ease her heaviness a little, she went to talk to Nora, and found her checking her stock of supplies in the little dispensary. She watched her sorting out medicines, bandages, lint, calcium tablets, and a host of other things, and then they went upstairs to Nora
’
s room for a cup of coffee, where Ingrid told her all that had happened.

“
Well, the bit about Patrick is hardly news, after last night,
”
said Nora.
“
You were, after all, rather a center of interest, after your rescue from the roof, and staff and boys and firemen and spectators all had an interesting view of Patrick being your comforter in chief, which did cause rather a stir.
”

“
I feel very bad about Laurence, Nora.
”

Nora sat for a few minutes staring into her coffee cup without answering. Then she looked up at Ingrid frankly.

“
I think,
”
she said,
“
I shall take charge of Laurence.
”

Ingrid looked back at her with suddenly provoked interest.

“
How?
”
she asked.

“
We have always liked each other. Before you came, he used to take me out sometimes
...”

“
Oh Nora, I never knew that.
”

“
It didn
’
t matter. But we can get on to a special kind of footing. We have many interests in common. Also, he may need some comforting and bolstering up, and I can supply that. And I love, this school and my work here. I couldn
’
t help Laurence in his career
...
And I can still go on sharing a real friendship with your brother.
”

“
W
i
th Arnold. What a pity it can never be anything more.
”

“
Yes, but there it is. Laurence and I like each other very much
—
we could be very fond of each other. And it might be an excellent thing from many points of view. I have sometimes thought that Arnold loves me too. Nothing has ever been said. Or hinted. Only sometimes, there is something in the way he looks at me; or, even more nebulous, there is a tension suddenly between us which comes and then goes. Arnold has always been so good
—
I can be strong because he is. So nothing ever happened
—
but perhaps it would be a good thing if I married.
”

“
Nora, I do hope it comes off.
”

“
Well, it may not, of course. Laurence will have something to do with it, but the possibility is there.
”

That possibility cheered Ingrid enormously. 

When Patrick arrived, there was no room in her heart for anything but happiness. Ingrid was preparing tea in the kitchen, so that Patrick went to her there, sweeping her into his arms in a masterful way that delighted her.

“
I came as soon as I could,
”
he said.
“
I had a busy day which I couldn
’
t cut
shorter.
”

“
I had a busy day, too,
”
she said.

“
Clearing away debris
?
”
he asked.

“
In a fashion, though not what you mean. Putting my affairs in order.
”

“
Laurence?”

“
Yes.
”

“
Poor devil,
”
said Patrick, sympathetically. There was an interlude of quiet in the kitchen, which only ended when Ingrid realized that the room was filling with steam. As she made tea, they discussed their plans. In the few days before she took up her work at the hospital, they would dine and dance, drive into the country, go to theatres
...

“
And then,
”
she said,
“
to work.
”

He looked at her steadily for a few moments.
“
A
ll
right,
”
he said then.
“
To work
.
For both of us. But only for a time, Ingrid.
”

“
Ye
s
, for a time. I was trained for it and I want to do it. And it will be nice being engaged to you.
”

“
Provided the engagement isn
’
t too long. After all, Ingrid, we shall have work to do together, you and I. A life together, a home together, a family t
ogether, I hope.”

“
Yes,
”
she said seriously, giving him the tray to carry, and ope
ning the door for him into the li
ving-room, where Sylvia and Arnold awaited them,
“
that will be the best kind of work of all.
”

THE END