‘Because a child is born somewhere every second
of the clock,’ Nurse Blaber answered. ’And
besides that, you probably set each other off by talking
and thinking about it. You shouldn’t, you
know.’
‘Ay, but you’ve never been in Hell,’
said Miss Henschil.
The telegram handed in at Hereford at 12.46 and delivered
to Miss Henschil on the beach of a certain village
at 2.7 ran thus:
’"Absolutely confirmed. She says she
remembers hearing noise of accident in engine-room
returning from India eighty-five."’
‘He means the year, not the thermometer,’
said Nurse Blaber, throwing pebbles at the cold sea.
’"And two men scalded thus explaining my
hoots.” (The idea of telling me that!) “Subsequently
silly clergyman passenger ran up behind her calling
for joke, ‘Friend, all is lost,’ thus accounting
very words."’
Nurse Blaber purred audibly.
’"She says only remembers being upset minute
or two. Unspeakable relief. Best love Nursey,
who is jewel. Get out of her what she would like
best.” Oh, I oughtn’t to have read
that,’ said Miss Henschil.
‘It doesn’t matter. I don’t
want anything,’ said Nurse Blaber, ’and
if I did I shouldn’t get it.’
There was darkness under
Heaven
For an hour’s
space—
Darkness that we knew
was given
Us for special
grace.
Sun and moon and stars
were hid,
God had
left His Throne,
When Helen came to me,
she did,
Helen all
alone!
Side by side (because
our fate
Damned us
ere our birth)
We stole out of Limbo
Gate
Looking
for the Earth.
Hand in pulling hand
amid
Fear no
dreams have known,
Helen ran with me, she
did,
Helen all
alone!
When the Horror passing
speech
Hunted us
along,
Each laid hold on each,
and each
Found the
other strong.
In the teeth of things
forbid
And Reason
overthrown,
Helen stood by me, she
did,
Helen all
alone!
When, at last, we heard
the Fires
Dull and
die away,
When, at last, our linked
desires
Dragged
us up to day,
When, at last, our souls
were rid
Of what
that Night had shown,
Helen passed from me,
she did,
Helen all
alone!
Let her go and find
a mate,
As I will
find a bride,
Knowing naught of Limbo
Gate
Or Who are
penned inside.
There is knowledge God
forbid
More than
one should own.
So Helen went from me,
she did,
Oh my soul, be glad
she did!
Helen all
alone!
A hooded motor had followed mine from the Guildford
Road up the drive to The Infant’s ancestral
hall, and had turned off to the stables.
