DORIS LESSING
575
"So I have gathered."
"But Olga has always insisted . Everything that comes up with
Marion , everything, we talk it over. And she was right."
Her wide eyes again spilled tears. "I am sure Olga doesn't
realize how lucky she is. Nor does Angela."
"Have you actually tried to talk to him-to Marcus?"
"I think that perhaps at the beginning-but no, it's too late
now."
"Has he married again?"
"Yes, last winter."
"Ah."
"Precisely. Ah . But there are such things as - situations you
can't do anything about."
"Well, I believe I am not prepared to admit to that." This had
the same note of almost frivolity which she did recognize was an at–
tempt to lighten this tragic scene. For it was that, they both knew it.
When the outer door , and then the door into this kitchen
slammed open, and Henry and Angela stood there, they were
sparkling with the run across from the other house in the half dark of
the lanes and paths, and then under the great arch and across this
court.
It
was raining, they exclaimed, no, just a little, great big
drops, they said .
It
was like a showerbath. They stood exclaiming
and explaining, taking over the kitchen with their vitality.
Jody was able to go quietly out, unremarked, to dry her eyes
and make up her face.
During the meal of soup and bread more wine was drunk.
Angela and Henry began yawning again. They had been up since
before six , they said; but Sebastian , for Jody , said that they must
keep awake, because at some point this famous talk had to take
place .
"Well, of course," said Angela. "But we'll all be here tomorrow,
and it seems to me there isn't so much to discuss. Aren't we all
perfectly reasonable people?"
After the meal Henry and Angela went into the sitting room,
while Sebastian made the coffee . Jody stayed behind with him, and
then because he said he wanted to wash up-no, she shouldn't
bother - she followed the other two . When Sebastian entered the sit–
ting room with the tray, Jody sat in the big chair opposite, chosen so
the light was behind her. The other two chattered away about
Briony, about Oliver, due to return from New Zealand soon, about
Jane , about Jane's coming to stay with Connie in London, about a
