Demelza Read Free Page B

but have the goodness to decide.'
    Polly pouted and came in, and looked at Ross sidelong and patted her hair. The door slammed behind her.
    'I never get used to your old Cornish winds, and thith ith a fair demon. Jenkin says there is five thlates off of the butterwy, and I doubt there'll not be more. How ith your wife, Captain Poldark?'
    Choake slipped off his skullcap and put on his wig.
    'That will not stand in the wind,' said Ross.
    'You're not going out, Tom? But you could not wide and scarthely walk. An' think of the danger of falling twees!'
    'Captain Poldark is nervous for his wife,' Choake said whitely.
    'But thurely ith it that urgent tho thoon again? I wemember my mother said I was eight and forty hours a-coming.'
    'Then your husband will be eight and forty hours a-waiting,' said Ross. 'It is a whim I have, Mrs Choake.'
    Pettishly the surgeon flung off his purple-spotted morning gown and pulled on his tail coat. Then he stumped out to get his bag and his riding cloak, nearly upsetting Nancy, who was coming in with the port.
    The wind was a little abeam of them on the return. Choake lost his wig and his hat, but Ross caught the wig and stuffed it under his coat. By the time they climbed the rise near Wheal Maiden they were both gasping and drenched. As they reached the trees they saw a slight figure in a grey cloak ahead of them.
    'Verity,' said Ross as they overtook her leaning against a tree. 'You have no business out today.'
    She gave him her wide-mouthed generous smile. 'You should know it can't be kept a secret. Mrs Zacky's Betty saw Jud and Dr Choake on her way to the mine, and she told battle's wife.' Verity leaned her wet face against the tree. 'Our cow shed is down and we have the two cows in the brewhouse. The headgear of Digory's mine has collapsed, but I think no one is hurt. How is she, Ross?'
    'Well enough, I trust.' Ross linked his arm in Verity's and they began to walk after the stumbling, cloak-blown figure of the physician. He had often thought that if a man were allowed a second wife he would have asked his cousin, for her kindness and generosity and for the soothing effect she always had on him. Already he was beginning to feel shame-faced at his own anger. Tom Choake had his good points and naturally knew his job better than Mrs Zacky Martin.
    They caught up with Choake as he was climbing over the fallen elm branch. Two of the apple trees were down, and Ross wondered what Demelza would say when she saw the remnants of her spring flowers.
    When she did...
    He quickened his pace. Some of his irritation returned at the thought of all the women milling about in the house and his beloved Demelza helpless and in pain. And Choake going off without a word.
    As they entered they saw Jinny pattering up the stairs with a basin of steaming water, slopping some of it into the hall in her haste. She never even looked at them.
    Dr Choake was so distressed that he went into the parlour and sat on the first chair and tried to get his breath. He glared at Ross and said: 'I'll thank you for my wig.'
    Ross poured out three glasses of brandy. He took the first to Verity, who had collapsed in a chair, her fluffy dark hair contrasting with the wet streaks where the hood had not covered it.
    She smiled at Ross and said: 'I will go upstairs when Dr Choake is ready. Then if all goes well I will get you something to eat.'
    Choake gulped down his brandy and passed his glass for more. Ross, knowing that liquor made him a better doctor, gave it him.
    'We will breakfast together,' Choake said, more cheerful at the thought of food. 'We will just go up and set everyone's mind at rest; then we will breakfast. What have you for breakfast?'
    Verity got up. Her cloak fell away and showed the plain grey dimity frock, the bottom eight inches embroidered with mud and rain. But it was at her face that Ross looked. She wore a full, uplifted, startled expression, as if she had seen a vision.
    'What is it?'
    'Ross, I thought I