Читать книгу Mrs. Gailey онлайн

61 страница из 78

June 22nd, 1949

This is to tell you that you'll soon see me back in the old haunts, for I really can't stand much more of this. I haven't actually started the job yet, but they seem to think I should know all about farming to make a success of it. Of course I could get over that little bit of trouble if I liked the place, but I don't. The house is old-fashioned and dark and depressing. There are servants in it, but they mustn't be asked to do any work, for then they'd leave at once. Of course it isn't really a full staff, but a very uppish married couple and a number of daily women as required. Lesley Bullen wouldn't notice if they all ran away, so you can imagine how nice it will be for me when Mrs. Winrow goes back to town, which she does on Monday. Apart from that, of course, I'll be glad. Really, Syl, how could you have said she was charming? She's a bitch. Would you believe it, but at dinner last night I wasn't even given a wine glass, only a tumbler. She herself drank wine, and though the daughter didn't, she had a glass. She goes out of her way to make me feel small, and if anything would make me stay it would be to spite her, for I can see she's just itching to get rid of me. Some quite nice but dull people came in after dinner—Mr. Cheynell who's a sort of cousin and Lady Cheynell (how does she work that?). Otherwise there's nobody round here worth knowing, as far as I can see. Rather an attractive type gave me a lift from the station (as the old faggot had driven off and left me to come by the bus), but he turned out to be only a farmer's son. So you can expect me back in a month or two. I can't very well give notice before I've actually started the job, but I shall do so afterwards as soon as I decently can. I'll probably go to Mother's for a bit while I look round. I'll be thirty pounds to the good, anyhow, even if I don't stay more than a month. Please don't think I've let you down over this, but you really did overdo the sales talk a little.