‘Come in and close the door, Chuff,’ said Morcar.
Chuff put his tongue in his cheek and chuckled to himself. On facing his grandfather across the desk, however, he saw him looking so extremely grim that he perceived he had been mistaken in thinking he had seen the height of Morcar’s anger previously.
‘Now, Chuff, understand me, I will not have any hanky-panky in the office,’ said Morcar sternly.
‘I don’t know what you mean, Grandfather.’
‘Oh, yes, you do. I saw you bending over Ruth Mellor’s desk just now.’
‘Well, what’s wrong with that?’
‘I am not going to have you playing about with girls in the office.’
‘I’m not playing about with her,’ said Chuff angrily. ‘She’s a friend of mine, that’s all.’
‘All? It looked like a pretty close friendship.’
‘Well, why not?’
‘Ruth Mellor is a good girl, she works in my employ, she’s under my protection, and I’m not going to have you fooling round with her.’
‘I’m not fooling round with her! Don’t you trust me, Grandfather?’
‘With money, yes. With women, no.’
In spite of himself Chuff gave a snort half-anger, half-amusement.
‘And you’d do well not to trust yourself overmuch. We’ve had an example of the mess it can cause, in high places, recently.’
‘I think you’re being disgusting,’ shouted Chuff, crimsoning. ‘I don’t think of Ruth in that way at all.’
‘Not at all?’
‘I respect her,’ muttered Chuff, hanging his head in acute embarrassment.
‘Are you going to tell me this is a serious attachment?’
‘Why not? If you object, that’s just British snobbery.
Anyway, Jonathan told me Ruth’s father was Uncle David’s partner once. They were cousins.’
‘That’s right. I bought Mrs Mellor’s shares off her after her husband was killed, to make Old Mill all Jonathan’s.’
‘And then Jonathan didn’t want it,’ sneered Chuff.
‘True,’ said Morcar, stiffening so as not to wince.
‘Ruth’s as good as we are, then, even by your old-fashioned standards. I don’t see why you object to me and Ruth going together.’
‘I don’t object in the least. Ruth’s a clever girl, nice-looking and well mannered and quick on the uptake. In fact, I think she’s probably just the kind you need, she’d be good for you. Sharpen you up.’ (Chuff ground his teeth.) ‘But you’re too young to tie yourself up yet. You’ll hover round half a dozen girls before you settle down. However, if you’re feeling as determined as that about it, Ruth’ll have to leave Syke Mills.’
‘No!’
‘It’s a nuisance, because she’s the best secretary I’ve ever had, but I can’t have this sort of thing going on.’ ‘It’s not that sort of thing.’ ‘Think how it looks in the office.’
‘I don’t care how it looks, in the office or anywhere else.’
‘Nat Armitage’ll give her a job, I dare say. I’ll see she gets a good one. She deserves it.’
‘The way you manage other people’s lives!’ burst out Chuff. ‘It’s unbearable.’
‘I’m doing what I think right, for her as well as for you.’
‘It’s not fair! The only bit of happiness I have, seeing Ruth every day, and you take it away from me!’
‘That’s better than a hasty, shotgun marriage,’ said Morcar very soberly.
‘I shall go on seeing her at night,’ said Chuff with defiance.
‘That’s up to you to decide. I’ll get your Aunt Jennifer to give a young people’s party before Jonathan goes back, and invite Ruth. Would you like that?’
‘Er - Yes,’ muttered Chuff, rather taken aback.
‘Now make up your mind, Chuff. That’s the test. Do you want Ruth to come to Stanney Royd and meet Susie, or don’t you? If you don’t, then just drop meeting her -gradually, of course.’
‘Ruth would be good for Susie,’ said Chuff eagerly.
There was a pause.
‘Very well,’ said Morcar at length. ‘We’ll play it that way. But listen, Chuff. I married very young, and in a hurry.’
Chuff looked the insolent inquiry he dared not utter.
‘No, not for that reason,’ said Morcar sadly. ‘It was the War, and - well, never mind. I was away for several months. Then, since my return home in 1919, every minute of my life I’ve regretted my marriage. I don’t want you to do the same. Wait a bit before you commit yourself. And don’t make the girl fall in love with you while you’re making up your mind, for that’s not fair.’
Chuff reflected, with some pleasure, that this advice was probably too late. The reflection showed in his face. Morcar sighed, and his face looked less grim.
‘Don’t send Ruth away, Grandfather,’ pleaded Chuff.
‘Will you give me your word of honour to behave to her in the mill as though you have no special interest in her?’
‘Well -1 don’t know if I can manage it. Can I tell her you say I must?’ said Chuff.
‘Yes. Make me out as much of an ogre as you like. She’ll understand. She’s got more sense than you.’
‘I know,’ admitted Chuff, nevertheless thinking to himself: We’ll see about that. ‘Well, all right, then. If you always regret your marriage,’ he broke out suddenly: ‘I suppose you regret Father and me?’
‘I did at one time,’ said Morcar. ‘But I’m getting rather fond of you now, Chuff. Heaven knows why.’
‘Tcha!’ said Chuff, flinging out of the office.
He did not, however, slam the door.