[MaC] Marty issues orders

[Margaret Dean]

Mel Mason wrote:

> >> Anton Barowenski moved towards Marion.
> >>
> >> "There was an accident?" he asked.  "And all three of you were trapped?
> >> But you are all right ... uninjured?"  There was a sharp edge to his
> >> tone.
> >
> > "Just Mrs. Evans and I were in the lift when it stopped," Marion
> > assured him.  "And we're quite all right."  She smiled at him.
> > "You didn't hear us singing?  Just as well, I suppose.  =That=
> > would have been painful."
> 
> Anton smiled, a little perfunctorily.
> 
> "Believe me, our hosts idea of music ... "
> 
> He broke off as Marty Fitzroy came striding across the room.
> 
> "Oi ... Barowenski!  You was goin' to play.  What aren't you playin'?"
> 
> Anton drew himself up to his full height and then bowed, very Polish, with
> his heels clicking together.
> 
> "If you command."
> 
> "Yes," said Marty.  "I do.  And take the service entrace - that way you can
> go across the top floor without having to go down and up again.  And leave
> the doors open so we can hear you."
> 
> Only Marion was close enough to see the muscle jump in Anton's cheek as he
> listened to these instructions.  But various people could see how rigidly he
> was standing, as though he were barely holding himself in check.
> 
> "Very well," he said, and turned.  "If you will excuse me, Miss Mauberley."

Marion regarded him for a moment, then stepped back a little. 
"Certainly, Mr. Barowenski," she said, while directing a cold
look at Marty Fitzroy.

When Barowenski had moved off, she said to Fitzroy, "Was that
really necessary?  Mr. Barowenski is an artist, not a ... a
hireling!"


--Margaret Dean
  <margdean at erols.com>