C.S. Lewis - That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy, Book 3)

Space Trilogy 3 - That Hideous Strength

MOONLIGHT AT BELBURY

I AM the last person. Miss Hardcastle, said the DeputyDirector, to wish to interfere with your-er-private pleasures. But,really!...It was some hours before breakfasttime and he and the Fairywere standing in his study.

She can't be far away, said Fairy Hardcastle. We'llpick her up some other time. It was well worth trying. If I'd got out of herwhere she'd been-and I should have if I'd had a few minutes longer-why, itmight have turned out to be enemy headquarters.

It was hardly a suitable occasion-- began Wither, but sheinterrupted him.

We haven't so much time to waste, you know. You tell me Frost isalready complaining that the woman's mind is less accessible. That means she'sfalling under the influence of the other side. Where'll we be if you lose touchwith her mind before I've got her body locked up here?

I am always, of course, said Wither, most ready and-er-interested to hear expressions of your own opinions and would not for amoment deny that they are, in certain respects, of course, if not in all, of avery real value. On the other hand, there are matters... The Head will, Ifear, take the view that you have exceeded your authority, I do not say that Inecessarily agree with him. But we must all agree--

Oh, cut it out, Wither! said the Fairy, seating herself onthe side of the table. Try that game on the Steeles and Stones. It's nobloody good trying the elasticity stunt on me. It was a golden opportunity,running into that girl. If I hadn't taken it you'd have talked about lack ofinitiative. We've got to get the girl, haven't we?

But not by an arrest. If a mere arrest could have securedthe-er-goodwill and collaboration of Mrs. Studdock, we should hardly haveembarrassed ourselves with the presence of her husband.

I couldn't tell that the bucking car was going to break down,could I?

I do not think, said Wither, " the Head could beinduced to regard that as the only miscarriage. Once the slightest resistanceon this woman's part developed, it was not, in my opinion, reasonable to expectsuccess by the method you employed. I always deplore anything that is notperfectly humane: but that is quite consistent with the position that if moredrastic expedients have to be used then they must be used thoroughly. Moderatepain, such as any ordinary degree of endurance can resist, is always a mistake.I should not be doing my duty if I failed to remind you that complaints fromthat quarter have already been made, though not, of course, minuted, as to yourtendency to allow a certain-er-emotional excitement in the disciplinary;

side of your work to distract you from the demands of policy."

You won't find anyone can do a job like mine well unless they getsome kick out of it, said the Fairy sulkily, "Anyway, what does theHead want to see me now for? ;

I've been on my feet the whole bloody night. I might be allowed a bathand some breakfast."

The path of duty Miss Hardcastle, said Wither, cannever be an easy one.

Well, I must have something to drinkbefore I go in.

Wither held out his hands in deprecation. ' Come on. Wither. Imust, said Miss Hardcastle. You don't think he'll smell it?said Wither. I'm not going in without it, anyway," said she. The oldman unlocked his cupboard and gave her whisky. Then the two left the study andwent a long way, right over to the other side of the house where it joined onto the actual Blood Transfusion Offices. At last they came to a place where thelights were on and there was a mixture of animal and chemical smells, and thento a door which was opened to them after they had parleyed through aspeaking-tube. Filostrato, wearing a white coat, confronted them in thedoorway.

Enter, said Filostrato. He expect you for sometime.

Is it in a bad temper? said Miss Hardcastle. You areto go in at once, said Filostrato, as soon as you have made yourselvesready."

Stop! Half a moment, said Miss Hardcastle suddenly;What is it? Be quick, please, said Filostrato. I'm going to besick.

You cannot be sick here. Go back. I will give you some X54 atonce.

It's all right now, said Miss Hardcastle. It was onlymomentary. It'd take more than this to upset me.

Silence, please, said the Italian. Do not attempt toopen the second door until my assistant has shut the first one behind you. Donot speak more than you can help. Do not say yes when you are given an order.The Head will assume your obedience. Do not get too close. Now!

'Long after sunrise there came into Jane's sleeping mind a sensationwhich, had she put it into words, would have sung, Be glad thou sleeperand thy sorrow off cast. I am the gate to all good adventure. Sometimeafter this Mrs. Maggs came in and lit the fire and brought breakfast.

It's ever so nice, us both being here, isn't it, Mrs.Studdock? she said.

Shortly after breakfast came Miss Ironwood. She examined and dressed theburns, which were not serious.

You can get up in the afternoon, if you like, Mrs. Studdock,she said. What would you like to read?

I'd like Mansfield Park, please, said Jane, andShakespeare's Sonnets."

Having been provided with reading matter, she comfortably went to sleepagain.

When Mrs. Maggs looked in atabout four o'clock Jane said she would like to get up. "

All right, Mrs. Studdock, said Mrs. Maggs, Just as youlike. I'll bring you along a nice cup of tea in a minute and then I'll get thebathroom ready for you. There's a bathroom next door almost, only I'll have toget that Mr. Bultitude out of it. He's that lazy, and he will sit there all daywhen it's cold.

As soon as Mrs. Maggs had gone, however, Jane decided to get up. Shefelt that her social abilities were quite equal to dealing with the eccentricMr. Bultitude. Accordingly, she put on her coat, took her towel, and proceededto explore; and that was why Mrs. Maggs, coming upstairs with the tea a momentlater, saw Jane emerge from the bathroom with a white face and slam the doorbehind her.

Oh dear! said Mrs. Maggs, bursting into laughter. Iought to have told you. Never mind. I'll soon have him out of that. Sheset the tea-tray down on the passage floor and turned to the bathroom.

Is it safe? asked Jane.

Oh yes, he's safe alright, said Mrs. Maggs. With that sheopened the bathroom door. Inside, sitting up on its hunkers beside the bath,was a great, snuffly, wheezy, beady-eyed, loose-skinned, gor-bellied brownbear, which, after a great many reproaches, exhortations, pushes, and blowsfrom Mrs. Maggs, heaved up its enormous bulk and came slowly out into thepassage. "Why don't you go out' ' and take some exercise this lovelyafternoon, you great lazy

thing? said Mrs. Maggs. Don't be frightened, Mrs. Studdock.He'll let you stroke him." Jane extended a hesitant and unconvincing handto touch the animal's back, but Mr. Bultitude was sulking, and without a glanceat Jane continued his slow walk along the passage to a point about ten yardsaway, where he quite suddenly sat down. Everyone on the flour below must haveknown that Mr. Bultitude had sat down.

Is it really safe to have a creature like that loose about thehouse? said Jane.

Mrs. Studdock, said Ivy Maggs with solemnity, if theDirector wanted to have a tiger about the house it would be safe. There isn't acreature in the place that would go for another or for us once he's had hislittle talk with them. Just the same as he does with us. You'll see.

If you would put the tea in my room...said Jane rather coldly, and went towards the bathroom....

Well, said Mrs. Maggs, you'll find us in the kitchen,I expect, Mother Dimble and me and the rest.

Is Mrs. Dimble staying in the house? asked Jane with aslight emphasis on the Mrs.