The Third Uncle [antikvár]

CHAPTER ONE Trish said with teenage relish: "He's probably as bonkers as the other two—and that's saying something!" Bill observed with more mature reflection, that personally he thought it was rushing things, and their mother said plaintively: "If you'd only let us know, darling, we could have explained about our own plans." They all three looked at Gilly, who had descended upon them at such an inopportune moment, expecting her usual welcome, and sat there smiling back at them with that engaging, but at times exasperating, air of unconcern. And of course it was natural that she should since her visits were always welcome, Mary Hastings thought, sighing as she looked round at the chaos of her orderly flat, wondering why the place should go to pieces the moment the head of the house was no in residence. Half-packed suitcases littering the floors, drawers and cupboards standing open where Trish had rummaged for articles her mother had mislaid, dirty cups and saucers pushed on the tops of furniture because in the hectic throes of imminent departure no one had thought to wash up; Trish's transistor set going full blast, and Gilly arriving in the middle of it all to beg her accustomed hospitality. "Darlings, how lovely to see you!" she had cried, not for a moment uncertain of her welcome. "Fm between uncles—can you give me a bed for a fortnight? . . . How's Nancy? . . . Did the wedding go with a swing, and did she look lovely?" Mary had replied somewhat distractedly that it was a pity Gilly was obliged to miss the wedding, as N^cy had wanted her one-time school friend for bridesmaid, and what did Gilly mean by being between uncles? ^