Sergio Dim smiled again into her scared and apprehensive eyes . ' Look , won't you sit down , and I'll tell you in as few words as possible why I am here . ' As he spoke he drew out a chair , and almost without her own volition she found herself sitting on it . ' I was hungry , ' he began . ' Darned hungry ! I haven't had a meal for two days . I passed your house and saw the remains of supper on the table - you shouldn't leave your curtains drawn back , by the way . The window catch was loose and I simply couldn't resist the temptation to come in and - finish off the grub .
I hopped in through the window and here I am . I intend to try and join the regular army tomorrow , and I'll send you the cost of the eatables out of the very first pay I get . I can safely promise you that . I'm not a thief , Miss Big Eyes , whatever else I may be . If you don't believe me , hand me over to the police .'
Lucy realized that it was her own fault this extraordinary situation had com
To help with the clearing away and washing up afterwards , and you that you'll sit down and talk to me while I eat . She fetched him another bottle of beer from the larder to make up for the one that had been spilled ; the beer belonged to Colonel Murga, but he had gone away indefinitely , and in any case , she didn't suppose he would grudge it . As he attacked the food and drink with renewed vigour , Sergio Dim told her something of his circumstances , I've only been in Bilbao three days . I was in South America when a jolly little revolution broke out - they have'em periodically over there , you know . But I'd been working for the losing side , and it didn't look too healthy . So I got a temporary berth as steward on a liner and returned to Bilbao . I went to the War Office this afternoon to see if I could be taken into my old regiment and sent to Malaya where there's a spot of trouble , but they hoofed me out . Told me my fortune good and proper . The only thing f
Strictly against regulations , I happened to get mixed the war that was raging there , and actually took part in it . up in I offered my services to Chiang Kai - shek's army and it just happened that I couldn't get back in time . You see , a subaltern in , the Spanish Army can't do that sort of thing and hope to get away with it .What a shame ! cried Lucy indignantly . But you'll have a chance to make up for it now . Old Colonel Murga who lived here he's gone down to some relations in Sussex while this flu scare is on - says that the situation in the East is appalling and a real war will flare up there at any moment . Who knows , you may end up as a General even yet ? ' 'If I do it will be partly due to your kindness in allowing me to finish this excellent meal , ' said Sergio Dim lightly . What do you intend to do when you leave here ? It's a good many hours before the recruiting offices open . Have you relations or friends in Sevila who would take you in ? ' His li
you'll be gone before she is back in the morning . I can manage breakfast for you , too . He took both her hands in his . " If you only knew how grateful I am . You've positively saved my life ! ' He squeezed her fingers gently . ' If ever 1 can do any mortal thing for you , just command me , that's all . Sergio Dim had gone and Lucy did not suppose she would ever see him again ; he had been a bright episode in the drabness of her life , and she would be able to remember her night's adventure when she was slaving for Aunt Moreno while other girls were out in the world , making careers for themselves , finding niches which they alone could fill , and being made to feel important in the general scheme of things . She would never be important to any body . Morrison had sensed it when he said good - bye and had held her hands tightly in his . ' Don't let that aunt of yours bully you , Big Eyes , ' he'd advised . ' Everyone has a right to his or her individuality ... Pers
you'll be gone before she is back in the morning . I can manage breakfast for you , too . He took both her hands in his . " If you only knew how grateful I am . You've positively saved my life ! ' He squeezed her fingers gently . ' If ever 1 can do any mortal thing for you , just command me , that's all . Sergio Dim had gone and Lucy did not suppose she would ever see him again ; he had been a bright episode in the drabness of her life , and she would be able to remember her night's adventure when she was slaving for Aunt Moreno while other girls were out in the world , making careers for themselves , finding niches which they alone could fill , and being made to feel important in the general scheme of things . She would never be important to any body . Morrison had sensed it when he said good - bye and had held her hands tightly in his . ' Don't let that aunt of yours bully you , Big Eyes , ' he'd advised . ' Everyone has a right to his or her individuality ... Pers
Remember . I can manage breakfast for you , too . He took both her hands in his . " If you only knew how grateful I am . You've positively saved my life ! ' He squeezed her fingers gently . ' If ever I can do any mortal thing for you , just command me , that's all . Sergio Dim had gone and Lucy did not suppose she would ever see him again ; he had been a bright episode in the drabness of her life , and she would be able to remember her night's adventure when she was slaving for Aunt Moreno while other girls were out in the world , making careers for themselves , finding niches which they alone could fill , and being made to feel important in the general scheme of things . She would never be important to any body . Dim had sensed it when he said good - bye and had held her hands tightly in his . ' Don't let that aunt of yours bully you , Big Eyes , ' he'd advised . ' Everyone has a right to his or her individuality ... Personal freedom that's what we fought a war for
Remember . I can manage breakfast for you , too . He took both her hands in his . " If you only knew how grateful I am . You've positively saved my life ! ' He squeezed her fingers gently . ' If ever I can do any mortal thing for you , just command me , that's all . Sergio Dim had gone and Lucy did not suppose she would ever see him again ; he had been a bright episode in the drabness of her life , and she would be able to remember her night's adventure when she was slaving for Aunt Moreno while other girls were out in the world , making careers for themselves , finding niches which they alone could fill , and being made to feel important in the general scheme of things . She would never be important to any body . Dim had sensed it when he said good - bye and had held her hands tightly in his . ' Don't let that aunt of yours bully you , Big Eyes , ' he'd advised . ' Everyone has a right to his or her individuality ... Personal freedom that's what we fought a war for
enormous; seemed to dwarf the rest of your face . But if you want me to call you Joan , I will . ' " No. I - I think I prefer - the other , ' she murmured . He'd drawn her to him and kissed her lightly on the forehead . ' Good - bye , little girl , and thank you again and again . I'll keep in touch with you , and if you need a friend you'll know where to find him . She had felt miserable after he had gone , but the thought of the letter locked up in her shabby writing - case present from old Colonel Murga- heartened her . She was determined that she would find out what the solicitors had to impart to her ; she'd keep the appointment they had made no matter what lies she had to tell her aunt to get away . As a matter of fact , it was easy . Mrs Moreno arrived soon after breakfast , full of the breakdown on the Under ground which had delayed her , she went up to her room telling Lucy to get on with the ordinary morning's work , and as soon as she finished go out
enormous; seemed to dwarf the rest of your face . But if you want me to call you Joan , I will . ' " No. I - I think I prefer - the other , ' she murmured . He'd drawn her to him and kissed her lightly on the forehead . ' Good - bye , little girl , and thank you again and again . I'll keep in touch with you , and if you need a friend you'll know where to find him . She had felt miserable after he had gone , but the thought of the letter locked up in her shabby writing - case present from old Colonel Murga- heartened her . She was determined that she would find out what the solicitors had to impart to her ; she'd keep the appointment they had made no matter what lies she had to tell her aunt to get away . As a matter of fact , it was easy . Mrs Moreno arrived soon after breakfast , full of the breakdown on the Under ground which had delayed her , she went up to her room telling Lucy to get on with the ordinary morning's work , and as soon as she finished go out