第11章 THE FOURTH(1)

AT MAIDENHEAD

Section 1

The little Charmeuse was towed to hospital and the two psychiatrists took up their quarters at the Radiant Hotel with its pleasant lawns and graceful landing stage at the bend towards the bridge.Sir Richmond, after some trying work at the telephone, got into touch with his own proper car.Aman would bring the car down in two days' time at latest, and afterwards the detested coupe could go back to London.The day was still young, and after lunch and coffee upon a sunny lawn a boat seemed indicated.Sir Richmond astonished the doctor by going to his room, reappearing dressed in tennis flannels and looking very well in them.It occurred to the doctor as a thing hitherto unnoted that Sir Richmond was not indifferent to his personal appearance.The doctor had no flannels, but he had brought a brown holland umbrella lined with green that he had acquired long ago in Algiers, and this served to give him something of the riverside quality.

The day was full of sunshine and the river had a Maytime animation.Pink geraniums, vivid green lawns, gay awnings, bright glass, white paint and shining metal set the tone of Maidenhead life.At lunch there had been five or six small tables with quietly affectionate couples who talked in undertones, a tableful of bright-coloured Jews who talked in overtones, and a family party from the Midlands, badly smitten with shyness, who did not talk at all."A resort, of honeymoon couples," said the doctor, and then rather knowingly: "Temporary honeymoons, I fancy, in one or two of the cases.""Decidedly temporary," said Sir Richmond, considering the company--"in most of the cases anyhow.The two in the corner might be married.You never know nowadays."He became reflective....

After lunch and coffee he rowed the doctor up the river towards Cliveden.

"The last time I was here," he said, returning to the subject, "I was here on a temporary honeymoon."The doctor tried to look as though he had not thought that could be possible.

"I know my Maidenhead fairly well," said Sir Richmond.

"Aquatic activities, such as rowing, punting, messing about with a boat-hook, tying up, buzzing about in motor launches, fouling other people's boats, are merely the stage business of the drama.The ruling interests of this place are love--largely illicit--and persistent drinking....Don't you think the bridge charming from here?""I shouldn't have thought--drinking," said Dr.Martineau, after he had done justice to the bridge over his shoulder.

"Yes, the place has a floating population of quiet industrious soakers.The incurable river man and the river girl end at that."Dr.Martineau encouraged Sir Richmond by an appreciative silence.

"If we are to explore the secret places of the heart," Sir Richmond went on, "we shall have to give some attention to this Maidenhead side of life.It is very material to my case.

I have,--as I have said--BEEN HERE.This place has beauty and charm; these piled-up woods behind which my Lords Astor and Desborough keep their state, this shining mirror of the water, brown and green and sky blue, this fringe of reeds and scented rushes and forget-me-not and lilies, and these perpetually posing white swans: they make a picture.A little artificial it is true; one feels the presence of a Conservancy Board, planting the rushes and industriously nicking the swans; but none the less delightful.And this setting has appealed to a number of people as an invitation, as, in a way, a promise.They come here, responsive to that promise of beauty and happiness.They conceive of themselves here, rowing swiftly and gracefully, punting beautifully, brandishing boat-hooks with ease and charm.They look to meet, under pleasant or romantic circumstances, other possessors and worshippers of grace and beauty here.There will be glowing evenings, warm moonlight, distant voices singing....There is your desire, doctor, the desire you say is the driving force of life.But reality mocks it.Boats bump and lead to coarse ungracious quarrels; rowing can be curiously fatiguing; punting involves dreadful indignities.

The romance here tarnishes very quickly.Romantic encounters fail to occur; in our impatience we resort to--accosting.

Chilly mists arise from the water and the magic of distant singing is provided, even excessively, by boatloads of cads--with collecting dishes.When the weather keeps warm there presently arises an extraordinary multitude of gnats, and when it does not there is a need for stimulants.That is why the dreamers who come here first for a light delicious brush with love, come down at last to the Thamesside barmaid with her array of spirits and cordials as the quintessence of all desire.""I say," said the doctor."You tear the place to pieces.""The desires of the place," said Sir Richmond.

"I'm using the place as a symbol."

He held his sculls awash, rippling in the water.