«I only let you take her because I knew 1 could visit her here. I liked visiting her here. She had her place here.»
«I'm terribly sorry-«I'll never get my jewels and now even she's gone, my last little thing gone.»
«Please, Priscilla, I really will-«You gave her to that wretched girl.»
«She asked for it. I will get it back, please don't worry. Now please go to bed and rest.»
«She was mine, you gave her to me.»
«I know, I know, I'll get it back, now come on, you can have my bed.»
Priscilla trailed into the bedroom. She got straight into the bed.
«Don't you want to undress?»
«What's the point. What's the point of anything. I'd be better dead.»
«Oh buck up, Priscilla. I'm glad you've come back though. Why did you leave the other place?»
«Arnold made a pass at me.»
«Oh!»
«I pushed him away and he turned nasty. He must have told Christian about it. They were downstairs laughing and laughing and laughing. They must have been laughing at me.»
«I don't suppose they were. They were just happy.»
«Well, I hated it, I hated it.»
«Was Arnold there in the afternoon?»
«Oh yes, he came straight back after you'd left, he was there nearly all day, they made a huge lunch downstairs, I could smell it, I didn't want any, and I heard them laughing all the time. They didn't want me, they left me alone nearly all day.»
«Poor Priscilla.»
«I can't stand that man. And I can't stand her either. They didn't really want me there at all, they didn't care about me really to help me, it was just part of a game, it was like a joke.»
«You're right there.»
«No.»
«She said a doctor was coming but he didn't come. I feel terrible, I think I've got cancer. Everyone despises me, everyone knows what's happened to me. Bradley, could you ring up Roger?»
«Oh no, please-«I'll have to go back to Roger. I could see Dr. Macey at home. Or else I'll kill myself. I think I'll kill myself. No one will care.»
«Priscilla, do get properly undressed. Or else get up and comb your hair. I can't bear to see you lying dressed in bed.»
«Oh what does it matter, what does it matter.»
The front doorbell rang again. I ran to open it. Francis Marloe was outside, his little eyes screwed up with ingratiating humility. «Oh Brad, you must forgive me for coming-«Come in,» I said. «You offered to nurse my sister. Well, she's here and you're engaged.»
«Really? Oh goodie, goodie!»
«You can go in and nurse her now, she's in there. Can you give her a sedative?»
«I always carry-«All right, go on.» I picked up the telephone and dialled Rachel's number. «Hello, Rachel.»
«Oh-Bradley-«
I knew at once from her voice that she was alone. A woman can put so much into the way she says your name.
«Rachel. Thanks for your sweet letter.»
«Bradley-can I see you-soon-at once-?»
«Rachel, listen. Priscilla's come back and Francis Marloe is here. Listen. I gave Julian a water buffalo with a lady on it.»
«A what?»
«A little bronze thing.»
«Oh. Did you?»
«Yes. She asked for it, here, you remember.»
«Oh yes.»
«Well, it's really Priscilla's only I forgot and she wants it back. Could you get it off Julian, and bring it round, or send her? Tell her I'm very sorry-«She's out, but I'll find it. I'll bring it at once.»
«The human lot is sad and awful,» murmured Francis. «We are demons to each other. Yes, demons.» He was looking pleased, pursing up his red lips and casting delighted coy glances at me with his little eyes.
«Priscilla, let me comb your hair.»
«No, I can't bear to be touched, I feel as if I were a leper, I feel my flesh is rotting, I'm sure I smell-«Priscilla, do take your skirt off, it must be getting so crumpled.»
«What does it matter, what does anything matter, oh I am so unhappy.»
«At least take your shoes off.»
«Sad and awful, sad and awful. Demons. Demons. Yes.»
«Priscilla, do try to relax, you're as rigid as a corpse.»
«I wish I was a corpse.»
«Do at least make an effort to be comfortable!»