OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

THE LODGER 5*
" By the way," he said to Antoinette," there's something I'd like
to ask you to do."
He waited for some moments, expecting her to look round, but
she remained kneeling in front of the stove, without moving. Then
when he least expected it, he heard her ask impatiently:
"Well? What is it?"
" I don't feel up to going out yet. I wonder if you'd be kind
enough to go and fetch my luggage? "
" Oh! So you really have some luggage? "
He felt so uncomfortable that he turned his head and looked out
of the window again.
" I left it at the Station Cafe," he said," as I wasn't sure if I could
find a room."
" Why didn't you get Sylvie to bring it? Considering you sleep
with her. ... Oh, it's no use putting on that innocent air, as if
butter wouldn't melt in your mouth. Mother's easy game, I know
—but you can't fool me!" She stopped talking, as the coal was
rattling off the shovel into the stove.
When she had done with the fire she looked round and saw Elie
still gazing out of the windpw.
" Why did my sister come today? . . . No, you needn't tell me;
I can guess. She was in a state because they've got the numbers
of the banknotes. It was that, wasn't it? You may as well own
up."
Elie went to the door to make sure no one was listening outside.
The bed had been made, the room was tidy, and waves of heat were
flooding it from the stove, which was roaring cheerfully, red
cinders clattering down into the tin tray below.
" Oh, you needn't look so worried; I shan't give you away. Do
you know, I guessed at once why you and Sylvie were glaring at
each other when I came into the kitchen. Sylvie'd been telling you
to leave this house. That's right, isn't it? "
At that he had to turn and face the girl. Her eyes were fixed on
him, and in them he could see faint glints of red, like the red of her
unruly hair.
" I know my sister much better than you do. You needn't worry
about that note in Mother's purse; I'll manage to change it before
Monday. First thing this morning I burnt the paper which had the
numbers on it."
So that was why he hadn't been able to find it! When for a few
minutes he had had the kitchen to himself he'd hunted for it high
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