'I can't make out what came over me,' Kate went on. 'Honest I can't.'
'It's a hard bloody world.'
'Why Edith I never thought to hear you swear of all people, I didn't that.'
'It's the truth Kate just the same.'
'You're right it is,' Kate said. 'Look I've got rid of my 'iccups. That's one good thing. Yes there's times I could bust right out with it all. It gets you down. An' then your tellin' me about you an' Mr Raunce.'
'I thought you said once you'd never give him a Mr.'
'Oh Edie that's different. Now you're to be married I must show my respect.'
'I don't know dear. I'm sure you can call him Charley for all I care.'
'Have it any way you want,' said Kate peaceably. 'An' where will you live? Are you planning to stay in Kinalty?'
'Yes we got our eye on that little place in the demesne.'
'Oh isn't that lovely.'
'And we're thinking of gettin' his mother to come over to be with us so she will be out of the bombin'.'
'Oh isn't that nice,' Kate said and seemed to choke. She began to cry silently again, great tears welling from her shut eyes.
'Why love,' Edith asked, 'is anything the matter?'
'No,' Kate wailed.
'You're sure now?' Edith went on. Then she asked, There's nothing going to happen to you is there?'
'Me?' Kate echoed, suddenly quiet. 'You mean on account of Paddy don't you?'
'Then there is,' Edith said. Her eyes opened wide.
'Why Edie,' Kate replied serious, 'you wouldn't ever believe that surely?'
'That's all right then.'
'Never in your life,' Kate went on. 'So you guessed?'
'It was Albert told my young ladies. That little bastard had it from Mrs Welch. There's no other word to describe the lad.'
'She calls 'im that 'erself so Jane told me. She heard her.'
'Would you believe it?' Edith murmured.
'But Paddy's not what you suppose dear,' Kate said as if she had given Edith's last remark a certain meaning. 'You've no need to bother yourself about that between Paddy an' me. I'm not goin' to have nothing don't worry. No it was everything got me down all of a sudden.'
'You weren't thinkin' of him in such a way then?'
'Well there's not much else to think of is there Edie?'
'Why he's a Roman.'
'That don't make no difference.'
'I don't suppose it should. But these Irish are not like us.'
'Once I get Paddy smartened up you'd never recognize him for one.'
'But what about his speech, Kate?'
'Yes I know that's a problem. It'll be the hardest thing to alter."
'So you are considering him?' Edith asked.
'There's nobody else. A girl gets lonely,' Kate answered beginning to cry once more. 'And I think you're not bein' gracious about it,' she added.
'There dear,' Edith said, 'you're upset.'
'Don't go,' Kate muttered between sobs.
'I'm not goin' love. You quiet yourself. Life's not easy.'
'You're tellin' me,' Kate agreed and pulled herself together to blow her nose. 'Now d'you know what's come about?'
'What's that?' Edith asked as she began to stroke her again.
'He's in a terrible state about them eggs.'
'What eggs?'
'Why the eggs you put away under waterglass in this very room,' Kate answered.
'But that was months ago. However did he come to learn?'
'It was young Albert again who else? I promise I never told 'im Dothin'. I wouldn't do such a thing. And then in addition Mr Raunce went and informed about that peacock Mrs Welch had in the larder. Oh Edie 'e got in such a state. I was frighted.'
'I'll speak of this to Charley,' Edith said grim.
'It's as you like,' Kate replied, 'but 'e worships the birds, there you are love, he fair worships 'em. There's nothing I can do. And what he's just learned has made 'im act so strange. I don't know what to think, honest I don't.'
'Then what does he say he'll do?' Edith enquired.
'Why 'e talks as if 'e was goin' to lock 'em up and never let the things out any more. Can you tell me how Mrs Tennant'll see that?'