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Young Croom burst out: “He was a brute to her, of course.”
“You knew him, Mr. Croom?”
“Never seen him in my life.”
“Then—”
“He just thinks it because I left Jerry suddenly. He knows nothing.”
Di
He had returned from the fireplace, walking with a slight limp; sitting down again, he took up the document, narrowed his eyes, and said:
“This isn’t the sort of evidence the Court likes; in fact I’m not sure it’s evidence at all. All the same it’s not a very bright prospect. If you could show strong cause for leaving your husband, and we could get over that night in the car—” He looked, bird-like, first at Clare and then at young Croom. “Still, you can’t let damages and costs like that go by default, when—er—you’ve done nothing.” His eyes fell; and Di
‘Not conspicuous—his credulity!’
‘Very young’ Roger lifted a paper-knife.
“We might possibly get the damages agreed at a comparatively nominal sum, if you put in a defence and then didn’t appear. May I ask your monetary position, Mr. Croom?”
“I haven’t a bean, but that doesn’t matter.”
“What exactly will ‘defending’ mean?” asked Clare.
“You’d both go into the box and deny the charges. You’d be cross-examined, and we should cross-examine the petitioner and the enquiry agents. Candidly, unless you can give good reason for having left your husband, you’re almost bound to have the judge against you. And,” he added, in a somewhat human ma
“My Uncle thinks,” said Di
‘Very young’ Roger nodded.
“We’ll see what Mr. Kingson says. I should like to see your father and Sir Lawrence again.”
Di
“You’ll make a mistake if you don’t believe them. They’re speaking the absolute truth.”
“Why did she leave her husband, Miss Cherrell?”
“If she won’t tell you, I can’t. But I’m sure she was right.”
He considered her for a moment with that sharp glance.
“Somehow,” he said suddenly, “I wish it were you.” And, taking snuff, he turned to the General and Sir Lawrence.
“Well?” said the General.
‘Very young’ Roger looked suddenly more sandy.
“If she had good reason for leaving her husband—”
“She had.”
“Father!”
“It appears she isn’t prepared to speak of it.”
“Nor should I be,” said Di
‘Very young’ Roger murmured: “It might make all the difference, though.”
“Serious thing for young Croom, Mr. Forsyte,” put in Sir Lawrence.
“Serious, whether they defend or not, Sir Lawrence. I’d better see them both separately. Then I’ll get Mr. Kingson’s view, and let you know tomorrow. Will that do, General?”
“It revolts me,” said the General, “to think of that fellow Corven!”
“Quite!” said ‘very young’ Roger, and Di
CHAPTER 23
Di
“Di
Di
“Do you believe in that chap in there?”
“I rather do. I like his taking snuff.”
“I don’t believe in defending. Why should she be ragged in the witness-box for nothing? What does it matter if they bankrupt me?”
“We must prevent that somehow.”
“D’you think I’d let—”
“We won’t discuss it, Tony. Sufficient unto the day! Isn’t this a dingy place? Dentists try much harder—Marcus Stone on the walls, all the old Bystanders, and you can bring a dog.”
“Could we smoke?”
“Surely.”
“These are only stinkers.”
Di
“It’s too foul!” he said, suddenly. “That fellow will have to come over, won’t he? He never can really have cared a scrap for her.”
“Oh! yes, he did. ‘Souvent homme varie, folle est qui s’y fie!’”
“Well,” said young Croom grimly, “I’d better be kept from him.” He went back to the window and stood looking out. Di
Then Clare came in. There were spots of red in her pale cheeks. “Your turn, Tony.”
Young Croom came from the window, looked hard into her face, and passed into the lawyer’s room. Di
“Ugh!” said Clare: “Let’s get out of this!”
On the pavement, she went on:
“I wish now we had been lovers, Di
“We DO believe.”
“Oh! you and Dad. But that snuffy rabbit doesn’t, and no one else will. Still, I shall go through with it. I won’t let Tony down, and I won’t give Jerry an inch that I can help giving.”
“Let’s have tea,” said Di
In a crowded thoroughfare they soon saw an A.B.C.
“Then you didn’t like ‘very young’ Roger?” asked Di
“Oh! he’s all right—rather decent, really. I suppose lawyers simply can’t believe. But nothing will shake me, Di
“I see his point. You start with the battle half won against you.”
“I won’t allow the lawyers to work it in. We employ them, and they must do what we want. I’m going straight from here to the Temple, by the bye, and perhaps on to the House.”
“Excuse my reverting for a moment; but what are you going to do about Tony Croom till this comes on?”
“Go on just as we were, except for nights in cars. Though what the difference between day and night—in a car, or anywhere else—is, I don’t know.”
“I suppose they go by human nature as a whole.” And Di
“Have you finished, old thing?” said Clare.
“Yes. I’ll come with you as far as the Temple.”
As they paused to part at Middle Temple Lane, a rather high and pleasant voice said:
“What luck!” and a light momentary grip was laid on her arm.
“If you’re going straight to the House,” said Clare, “I’ll run on and get my things and join you here.”
“Tactful,” said Dornford. “Let’s stand against this ‘portal.’ When I don’t see you for so long, Di
“Rachel and he were walking out.”
“I know. Well, I must just wait and hope. I just HAVE to wait.”
Leaning against the yellow ‘portal’ she looked at him. His face was quivering. Suddenly sorry, she said: