Читать книгу Mrs. Gailey онлайн

75 страница из 78

"I think it should be to let her know."

"Not at all. She's much happier as things are."

"Well, I've half a mind to go down now and rescue her from those two women who are bullying her about the kitchen stove."

Hightower gave another laugh. "That's what's so wonderful about women. These two refuse to share a kitchen stove, but they don't seem to object to a free exchange of husbands. At night we shuffle like a pack of cards."

"Oh, it's like that, is it? That includes all of you, I suppose, you and the odd man—I mean the man with the odd name, Ivory."

"No, it doesn't. Neither of us come in. I'm particular and he's loopy."

"Isn't he the one who works?"

"Yes, he's got that claim to distinction. He works from dawn till dark. His overtime must add up to almost another salary. He's paying Benson some sort of blackmail. I don't know what the story is and I haven't bothered to find out. He's up against the police, I shouldn't wonder. All I know is that he never goes off the place and won't talk to anyone from outside. There was a priest or some such called to see him a few weeks ago, but he streaked off right away into the woods, though I imagine a priest would be good for at least half a quid out of the poor box. I told you he was loopy."