466
DORIS LESSING
"Well if not embarrassed at least conscious there was a
situation?"
"No, not at all. But I must say I don't think he's good
enough for her. He can't possibly understand her. He calls her
Judy."
"Good God."
"Yes. But I was wondering. Suppose the other two called
her Judy-'little Judy'-imagine it! Isn't it awful? But it
does rather throw a light on Judith?"
"It's rather touching."
"I suppose it's touching. But
I
was embarrassed-oh, not
because of the situation. Because of how she was, with
him.
'Judy, is there another cup of tea in that pot?' And she, rather
daughterly and demure, pouring him one."
"Well yes, I can see how you felt."
"Three of the nights he went to her bedroom with her–
very casual about it, because she was being. But he was not
there in the mornings. So I asked her. You know how it is
when you
ask
her a question.
As
if you've been having long
conversations on that very subject for years and years, and
she
is
merely continuing where you left off last. So when she
says something surprising, one feels such a fool to be sur–
prised?"
"Yes. And then?"
"I asked her if she was sorry not to have children. She
said yes, but one couldn't have everything."
"One can't have everything, she said?"
"Quite clearly feeling she
has
nearly everything. She said
she thought it was a pity, because she would have brought up
children very well."
.
"When you come to think of it, she could, too."
"I asked about marriage, but she said on the whole the
role of a mistress suited her better."
"She used the word mistress?"
"You must admit it's the accurate word."
