Page 191 - lady-chatterlys-lover

gone to market, so I can have it when I like. Would you care
for a cup, Lady Chatterley? I don’t suppose it’s what you’re
used to, but if you would...’
Connie would, though she didn’t want to be reminded of
what she was used to. There was a great relaying of the table,
and the best cups brought and the best tea-pot.
’If only you wouldn’t take any trouble,’ said Connie.
But if Mrs Flint took no trouble, where was the fun! So
Connie played with the child and was amused by its little
female dauntlessness, and got a deep voluptuous pleasure
out of its soft young warmth. Young life! And so fearless!
So fearless, because so defenceless. All the other people, so
narrow with fear!
She had a cup of tea, which was rather strong, and very
good bread and butter, and bottled damsons. Mrs Flint
flushed and glowed and bridled with excitement, as if Con-
nie were some gallant knight. And they had a real female
chat, and both of them enjoyed it.
’It’s a poor little tea, though,’ said Mrs Flint.
’It’s much nicer than at home,’ said Connie truthfully.
’Oh-h!’ said Mrs Flint, not believing, of course.
But at last Connie rose.
’I must go,’ she said. ‘My husband has no idea where I am.
He’ll be wondering all kinds of things.’
’He’ll never think you’re here,’ laughed Mrs Flint excit-
edly. ‘He’ll be sending the crier round.’
’Goodbye, Josephine,’ said Connie, kissing the baby and
ruffling its red, wispy hair.
Mrs Flint insisted on opening the locked and barred

1 0 Lady Chatterly’s Lover