Читать книгу Payment Deferred. Psychological Thriller онлайн

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The fatal words were said, and the children looked at each other in dismay. Mrs Marble made a typical faint-hearted effort on their behalf.

‘Oh, not just yet, father,’ she said.

That was all the opposition that Mr Marble needed to make him quite decided on the matter.

‘At once,’ he said. ‘John, go to bed—and leave that book down here too. Winnie, pack your things neatly ready for the morning and go along too. Let this be a lesson to you.’

‘But I haven’t done my homework,’ wailed Winnie, ‘and there’ll be such a row if I haven’t done it to-morrow.’

John did not answer. He was wondering how the Fusiliers would get on without him for the rest of their advance. Even Mrs Marble was moved to further protest at this drastic action, but her half-hearted entreaties were ignored by both sides.

‘Be quick, I am waiting,’ said Mr Marble.

It was inevitable. Sullenly Winnie began to stack her books together. John stood up and put How England saved Europe on the table. It was then, at the eleventh hour, that diversion came. It came in the form of a loud knocking at the street door. For a second everyone looked at each other startled, for visitors were a rarity in Malcolm Road, especially at the extraordinary hour of half-past seven. Winnie recovered first.