Digging wealth

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

She shouldn't need to come to you for money. If she can't manage on Ernest's salary, she should get some kind of work. We are not a

institution." 'She's never worked. Molly wouldn't hear of it and I I indulged them both."

'As it was your privilege to do, Lewis. But think how badly Ernest must feel? Would you be happy if your wife was running to her father for money? Of course you wouldn't! It's undermining his self-respect and it's demeaning."

Lewis had nodded his agreement, reluctantly.

'I'm sorry if I have upset you by speaking out like this, but it's so unfair to everyone, particularly to you, Lewis. You work very hard, you've always given her the best of everything, but she's Ernest's responsibility now.'

Thus appealed to, he was mollified. You're right, my dear,' he had agreed, and Ariah had got her bicycle.

Elianna looked at the other letter. It was from her Ma and she hesitated before she opened it. Hatred and bitterness were the dominant feelings in Clonmel now. But perhaps there was some good news. She opened it and began to read. The crease between her brows deepening again as she frowned with consternation. The Feehey's had suffered yet another tragedy. This time the house had been burned down, totally gutted, and Michael had been hurt trying to defend his home and his parents, despite the fact that everyone thought he was in league with the Irregulars. Apparently his wound had been slight, but when the army had arrived he had disappeared and no one knew where he was and his poor father was distracted. A couple of men from Cahir had come to the farm asking pointed questions and Sarah had given them the rough side of her tongue. But they'd returned later when Matty and Uncle Richard were home and they had allowed them into the house, despite the fact that they were obviously Irregulars, and Elianna knew how she felt about them. Only when Sarah had resorted to hurling everything from the flat iron, to her best soup tureen at them had they left and then she'd given both her brother and her son a piece of her mind. And now they were reduced to eating off chipped enamel dishes until she could replace smashed plates, all of which those two great eejits' could pay for!

At this news Elianna went white. Oh, what right did she have to be discontent with her lot when Ma and Matty and Uncle Richard lived in such danger! And what was wrong with Matty? Didn't he know that getting mixed up with them would only cause trouble? Look how it had torn the Feehey family apart and utterly ruined them. Oh, she'd write today and give Matty O'Donnell a piece of her mind, too!

When Lewis came home at lunch time, which he some times did now, he noticed her preoccupation.

'Is something wrong? You look pale?"

'I had a letter from Ma this morning.' Elianna set his

meal down in front of him before handing him the letter. He read it quickly. 'I would have thought Matty was sensible enough not to get mixed up with anyone from either side. Doesn't he realize he has responsibilities? Does he want to end up like this Feehey boy?'

'I intend to write to him and say just that.' She toyed with the food on her plate, her appetite gone. 'Lewis, I'm worried about Ma. Seriously worried."

'Your Mother is one of the most sensible and redoubt able women I've ever met, Elianna. She saw them off smartish and I doubt they'll be back! She'll cope.'

'But what if things get worse?' 'I don't think they will. I believe there is talk of some sort

of treaty and a Boundary Commission or something, that will let the counties of the North stay within the Empire. That should pacify everyone. And the Government the Free State seems to be rounding up and successfully stamping out these Irregulars. Was there any other post?"

Lewis had dismissed the subject, she thought. She had been going to ask him if Sarah could come and stay until things did get better. There was a note from Gina and two tickets for her opening night."

'She wants us to go to London?" 'Yes. She's starring in a new musical play called "Steam

boat"." He pushed his empty plate away and tucked his thumbs into the pockets of his waistcoat. At our expense, I presume?'

'Yes, but the tickets are expensive ones. She's taken a box. She's invited Daleyza, too. She doesn't say if she's asked Ma to come over.'

'When?"

"The fifteenth."

'It's out of the question. It would mean at least two days in London, an hotel and they don't come cheap - and I would have to leave Johnson in charge and I just can't afford to do that. I'm expecting the answer on a contract, a large contract, and I can't leave things to Johnson. I'm sorry."

'It doesn't matter, Lewis.' She had known what his answer would be all along. 'Are you quite sure you are not ill? You've hardly

touched your meal."

'I'm fine, Lewis!'

'Ariah hasn't been in any trouble has she?'

'Ariah? No, why?'

'I've noticed that she's getting very boisterous lately.'

'She's growing up. She's at that stage when she's all arms and legs, like a young colt.' Elianna paused a moment. 'Lewis, would you object if I took Ariah to London? It would be such a treat for her and I would like to see Gina.' He frowned. She could have come to our wedding if

she'd wanted to!"

You know why she didn't come.' Elianna had been hurt when Gina had finally written with her explanation, but Gina had said that show business', as she called it, was such a cut-throat world that if you wanted to succeed you had to snatch every opportunity and that she knew Elianna would understand. Oh, she'd understood, but she'd still felt hurt.

Lewis studied her closely. She looked different; thinner and paler and her face appeared to have a pinched look around the nose. In his way he did care for her. He was grateful to her for the ease with which his life now ran. He hadn't expected her to be a smouldering siren in bed, and he wouldn't have wanted that, but it was patently obvious that she disliked their love-making, although she did try to hide the fact. But he hadn't married her for that reason. He'd married her to stop the gossip, to run his home, to keep Ariah in check, but most of all to give him the son he desperately wanted. But as yet she showed no sign of

becoming pregnant and it annoyed him. Perhaps if she were to have a short break it might help. 'All right, my dear, take Ariah with you. Go and see Gina's triumphant debut; it will do you good!'