Read No Other Haven for Free Online Page B

this floor space. I suppose the servants are at the back somewhere. Hunter said they’d be here, waiting. This centre door should lead to the hinterland.”
    It did, through an airy corridor with a french window at the other end which gave on to the back stoep. Their footsteps echoed.
    A boy appeared, a sturdy Basuto in grey flannel trousers and a white jacket. His name, he said, was Daniel. He had worked in the house for five years, sharing duties during the last year with the girl, Meta, who suddenly materialized behind him, smiling and nodding.
    Meta, Lindsey was to learn later, had not yet reached years of dignity. She liked fun and dancing and when, in the dark quiet of evening, her sensitive native ears caught the sounds of singing at the location a couple of miles away, she would steal out and run all the way there to join the fun. Reprehensible behavior, in Daniel’s sober opinion. But she was a willing worker, and Lindsey liked her round, bronze face and the infectious, helpless laughter which sometimes percolated through the thick walls from the kitchen.
    Stuart’s guess at wicker furniture and moth holed carpets was a long way out. The dining room was unwavering Tudor; leather-seated chairs, brass studs, log candlesticks, and all. In the lounge the owner had mixed his vintages. Polished wood floor, a floral linen chesterfield suite, a couple of Morris chairs, a Chinese cabinet upon which sat a fat red Buddha, and some hefty carved imbuia occasional tables and stools. Imposingly planted in the centre of the room, a mighty elephant’s foot was ludicrously burdened with a linen mat and a pair of blue china sabots.
    “The family heirloom,” Stuart whispered. “I expect great-great-grandfather winged the poor beast on his way from the north. What a come down ... king of the forest to wax-polished whatnot.”
    Lindsey was delighted with it. “Pure Africa,” she said. “I wish it belonged to us.”
    The four bedrooms, impersonally furnished in walnut and kiaat, differed from each other only in the coloring of the bed covers and curtains. Lindsey chose the pale rose room. She stood near the window, gazing out at the scarlet hibiscus blooms which clothed the dark green hedge. A heavenly place; expensive, wholly strange, but heavenly. It was quite a while before she stirred to unpack.
    Over tea in the lounge Stuart waved a hand. “How do you like the atmosphere?”
    “It’s a bit Kew Gardens, but otherwise perfect.”
    “The greenery can be transferred to one of the outhouses and taken care of by the garden boy.”
    “At the risk of scandalizing Daniel?”
    “We’ll tell him that pot plants give you hay fever. He seems the sort of boy who’d do anything for a white missus. Taken all round, I think we’re lucky.” He gave her the suspicion of a wink. “I’m rather looking forward to the next three months.”
    Lindsey bent over the pouring of second cups, to hide the brightness in her eyes.
    “Do we have to dress for dinner with your mother?” she asked presently.
    “Tonight’s informal. She’s rather a stickler when other than the family are present.” He paused. “There’s one thing about this house that worries me—the lack of a telephone. Hunte r said we’re just outside the wired area and they won’t extend for a year or two. The town spreads over a good many square miles and we’re on the outer edge of it. I may be held up by business sometimes, and unable to let you know. Or you may need to get in touch with me.”
    “There are neighbors about three hundred yards away each side of us.”
    “While you were unpacking, I questioned Daniel. The family to the left speak only Afrikaans, and the other way there’s an oldish couple who are away staying with married daughters most of the time. I’m all for isolationism while I’m here, but I’d prefer to know you weren’t so entirely cut off when I’m not.”
    “Daniel is trustworthy.”
    “Yes; but there’s nothing so reassuring as