Humorous stories; London (England) -- Fiction; Lucia (Fictitious character) -- Fiction; Women -- England -- Fiction
“No, I never saw the cards,” said Daisy, scrupulously. “Only the plate.”
“It’s the same thing. She may be writing invitations now, to post in
London.”
“Go a little before eleven then, and see,” said Daisy. “Even if she’s
not writing them then, there’ll be envelopes lying about perhaps.”
“Come too,” said Georgie.
“Certainly not,” said Daisy. “If Lucia doesn’t choose to tell me she’s
going away, the only dignified thing to do is to behave as if I knew
nothing whatever about it. I’m sure I hope she’ll have a very pleasant
drive. That’s all I can say about it; I take no further interest in her
movements. Besides, I’m very busy: I’ve got to finish weeding my garden,
for I’ve not been able to touch it these last days, and then my
Planchette arrived this morning. And a Ouija board.”
“What’s that?” said Georgie.
“A sort of Planchette, but much more--much more powerful. Only it takes
longer, as it points at letters instead of writing,” said Daisy. “I
shall begin with Planchette and take it up seriously, because I know I’m
very psychic, and there’ll be a little time for it now that we sha’n’t
be trapesing round all day in ruffs and stomachers over those May-Day
revels. Perhaps there’ll be May-Day revels in Brompton Square for a
change. I shouldn’t wonder: nothing would surprise me about Lucia now.
And it’s my opinion we shall get on very well without her.”
Georgie felt he must stick up for her: she was catching it so
frightfully hot all round.
“After all, it isn’t criminal to spend a few weeks in London,” he
observed.
“Whoever said it was?” said Daisy. “I’m all for everybody doing exactly
as they like. I just shrug my shoulders.”
She heaved up her round little shoulders with an effort.
“Georgie, how do you think she’ll begin up there?” she said. “There’s
that cousin of hers with whom she stayed sometimes, Aggie Sandeman, and
then, of course, there’s Olga Bracely. Will she just pick up
acquaintances, and pick up more from them, like one of those charity
snowballs? Will she be presented? Not that I take the slightest interest
in it.”
Georgie looked at his watch and rose.
“I do,” he said. “I’m thrilled about it. I expect she’ll manage. After
all, we none of us wanted to have May-Day revels last year but she got
us to. She’s got drive.”
“I should call it push,” said Daisy. “Come back and tell me exactly
what’s happened.”
“Any message?” asked Georgie.
“Certainly not,” said Daisy again, and began untying the string of the
parcel that held the instruments of divination.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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