Read The End Of Solomon Grundy for Free Online

obligations. At the same time, it’s got to be understood that the time has gone by when it was possible to get Mr Twissle’s land for any figure which would make the erection of garages an economic proposition. We must be realistic, that’s what I have to impress upon you, ladies and gentlemen, the need for realism. Any proposals submitted by me on behalf of SGH—”
    “Are there any proposals?” Felicity Facey boomed. She was a big horse-faced formidable woman, with a mane of coarse black hair.
    “I am coming to that.” Edgar swayed a little but recovered, like one of those shot-based toys that resume their position however hard they are hit. Once he was on his feet it was impossible to get him down in much less than ten minutes. It was necessary for the committee to sit through his recital of SGH’s good faith, and his analysis of past negotiations, before coming to their present offer, which was to purchase Twissle’s ground and erect garages on part of it absolutely free of all charge. A little sigh of pleasure was exhaled at this point by two or three committee members. Edgar rocked a little, swayed but not bowled over by this sigh, and added that there was one condition. The residents paid a sum of £25 a year each for upkeep of the lawns and paths. In view of the heavy additional costs involved, it would be necessary to double this sum for all of the householders, not only those directly concerned because they lived in Nos 51 to 100.
    The sigh became a gasp. Edgar rocked a little in response to it. “If you want my advice, I tell you frankly that this seems to me a very good offer. I strongly advise acceptance.”
    Peter Clements showed his big teeth, more in anger than in amusement. “Speaking for myself, I must say I find it hard to see why on earth our upkeep figure – and I’m really speaking I’m sure for the rest of us who already have garages – should be doubled. If you could tell me why that has to be so, Paget, it would help me to, what shall I say, sell this idea.”
    Sir Edmund tapped with a pencil on his saucer. Jack Jellifer viewed the tapping with alarm for the saucer.
    “Just address your remarks to the chair, Mr Clements.”
    “There are some things I should like to know,” Felicity boomed. “First, Mr Chairman, can Mr Paget assure us that Mr Twissle is prepared to sell?”
    Edgar replied, “At a figure, yes.”
    “Next, are the garages to be built according to the design submitted by us?”
    “Absolutely, just that design.”
    “All right, then. Bill and I are sick of looking out at a dump with some cars on it. It’s blackmail, but I’m in favour.” She bit decisively into salami and cheese.
    “I don’t think one can be in favour of blackmail.” That was Jack Jellifer.
    “Please.” Sir Edmund looked down his long thin nose. His general appearance was that of a perfectly preserved waxwork, and he brought a breath of old-world superciliousness into everything in which he engaged. “It is really not necessary to use such language.”
    “Call a spade a spade,” said Felicity.
    Sir Edmund looked at her with barely concealed distaste, as if wondering how such an obvious representative of trade had got into their midst. Then, fixing a monocle into his left eye he addressed Edgar with little more warmth.
    “There is one point about which I am not altogether clear, Mr – ah – Paget. Supposing this proposal is – ah – rejected, what would be the attitude of the Trust about the upkeep question?”
    “Glad you asked me.” Edgar was on his feet again at once. “Quite frankly, the costs of upkeep are becoming impossible. They’ll have to go up.”
    Dick Weldon’s long nose was in the air. “I’d like to know what authority there is for an increase.”
    “In the leases,” Edgar said promptly. “All in the leases. I know, I helped to draw ’em up.”
    “Read the small print,” Felicity barked.
    “Not at all. I resent that remark. It’s not a question of small