Gale Warning by Dornford Yates Page A

eyes? My aim is the same as yours – to put Barabbas to death. Like you, I am offered a very roundabout way. I think there are better ways; but, because I was born a woman, I cannot take them alone. And, as no one will take them with me, I have to do as I’m told and go by the roundabout way.
    “Now ‘roundabout’ is your word. No doubt you chose it because it means ‘merry-go-round.’ But I don’t see it that way. I’m very fond of the country – I always was. But the countryside is your job . And you can get all worked up about some blasted contour that I only pretend to see in order to keep you quiet. And so there are many times when what is a joy-ride to you makes me want to scream. And that, my little friend, is only one side of the coin.”
    “I know the other, my dear.” With my eyes on hers, I sat down on the turf at her feet. “You showed it to me in Paris. And please believe that I’ve done my very best—”
    “You don’t know this. On the plane you met at Le Bourget were a couple of women I knew.”
    “Oh, my God,” said I, and put a hand to my head.
    “Don’t think I care,” flamed Audrey. “The game’s the thing. But when you prate about duty—”
    “I don’t. I haven’t. But, oh, my dear, I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t have—”
    “You set the pace,” said Audrey: “and what the hell can I do? If I don’t keep up, I’m keeping the good man down. Fourteen hours a day! I want to let up sometimes. But, if I do, I’m letting the old side down. Side? Troupe. If Plato could only see us, he’d laugh till he couldn’t stand up.”
    “Be fair,” I pleaded. “Be fair. I’ve taken things for granted, but that’s because I’m a fool. I’ve had my eyes on the job, when I ought to have had them on you. But that’s not all my fault. If ever I’ve tried to spare you, you’ve always caught my arm.”
    “I don’t want charity. I’m ready to do my bit. But can’t you possibly see that if you’d let up sometimes, it’d give a girl a chance?”
    I swallowed.
    “My dear,” I said, “aren’t you setting a pace of your own? There is no earthly reason why you should run level with me. After all, I’m the tougher vessel, because of my sex. Let Bell come out with me every other day.”
    “Whilst I sit still at the villa – and wait for the telephone-bell? What a truly shining prospect! Can’t you get this, John Bagot? I want to relax . Not to be left in the kennel to shift for myself.”
    “Then, go on leave,” said I. “God knows you’ve done your bit. No woman on earth could have—”
    “How do you know? You know as much of women as you do of the Khyber Pass.”
    “I’ve learned a bit,” said I, “in the last six weeks. But that’s by the way. Why shouldn’t you go on leave? There’s nothing the matter with Paris; and you could be back in three hours.”
    “Dear God,” said Audrey. And then, “Do I look that sort? The bachelor-girl on the loose?” She looked me up and down. “You know, if ever you marry, you’ll have to have police protection within the week. Or else your wife will break down and go out of her mind. No, no, dear friend, don’t send me to Paris alone. I mean, if I could have Bell – I’m sure he’s been nicely brought up. Of course that would let the side down, and I should forfeit my right to the old school tie, But, perhaps, ‘the tougher vessel’ would carry on. Out and about in the morning, just to see that the B in Boulogne is still in its place. Then home to lunch, in case the scout-master rings up – to say that Plato’s chauffeur’s been washing his car. Then out again, to—”
    “Leave it there,” said I. “You’ve whipped me enough. I’m sorry to be such a fool, but I’m made that way. I was shown the road to take, and I’ve just been blinding along and thinking of nothing else. I’ve been thankful to have you with me—”
    “Thankful?”
    “Proud and thankful and happy – and more than that. But now I see that I