Vol. VI No. 1 - Modernist Magazines Project

THE BERMONDSEY BOOK
Saturday.
Pve been down to dinner every night since Monday. Mr. Van de
Voorde becoming interesting, and his wife looks crosser than ever. I can
see that he's miserable, unhappy and completely wife-driven. One
night they changed their table and sat behind a pillar, where I could
not see them and where only she could see me 5 nobody sat at their
table, so there was no real reason why they should have moved, but the
next day they were back again in their old place. Her hair is redder
and fussier than ever.
An unfortunate thing happened to-night, and I am sure that she
thinks that I did it on purpose. As I got up, after having finished my
dinner, to go to my room, my necklace broke, and the beads rolled under
their table. I murmured a confused apology and stooped to pick them
up. Of course, the only thing he could do, was to help me, and in the
confusion, I felt his hand touch mine. It was icily cold, and I saw that it
was trembling. It was extremely awkward though, under the circumstances,
rather funny, and I pictured her furious face as she watched us
grovelling at her feet. Naturally, I pretended not to notice and got up
at once. I should like to hear what she said to him, after I had gone.
Sunday.
To-night, some friends of mine came to dinner, and we stayed
down in the drawing room afterwards to play Bridge. The Van de
Voordes were sitting just outside on the terrace. It was a beautiful
evening, with a full moon, and when it came to my turn to cut out of
the rubber, for we were five, I went out, presumably to have a look at
the sea. I stood where she could not see me, and watched them both
out of the corner of my eye. Presently, she went in and he got up. As
he did so, I walked to the balustrade, which runs along the edge of the
terrace, and waited to see what would happen. I knew, quite well, that
he would notice what I was doing, and I wanted to give him the opportunity
to speak to me, if he wished. I have never seen a more lovely
night, and I thought perhaps under the influence of the moon, he
might make an advance of some sort, especially as his wife had disappeared.
I must say, I am rather ashamed of the way I behaved, but I
had the feeling that, somehow the end would justify the means, and
besides, I disliked the look of Mrs. Van de Voorde. What a name!
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