her listening to the same music Edward had listened to , as if through those rituals , she could somehow conjure him up again .
“ Everything ’ s fine , Mrs Bunson ,” Adeline said , forcing herself to breathe normally .
How proud Edward would have been of her . It was his conviction that one mustn ’ t burden others with one ’ s problems .
“ Will you be wanting your breakfast now , Miss
Adeline ?” “ Not yet . There is something I must do first .” Mrs Bunson surveyed Adeline with her narrow grey eyes , like a detective seeking clues - perhaps a loose thread in Adeline ’ s pajamas that would give away her mental state . And all this time , her head wobbled , as if she were agreeing with some unheard stranger . Her mouth constantly curved in a mild smile . Sure , she was loyal , but her loyalty lay firmly with Edward , even after his death and with Adeline still here and alive . Didn ’ t she look like a content cow who feels the warm fingers of the farmer on her teats ?
Adeline felt a strong urge to slap the old woman ’ s face , to exorcise that smile and stop the wobbling head . Perhaps , too , to awaken the doddering crone to the present , in which her beloved Edward lay dead in the ground and she , Adeline , was sole employer in the house . But she mustn ’ t burden Mrs Bunson with her problems . “ Go back to sleep , Mrs Bunson .” The old housekeeper wobbled her head , then seemed to decide that all was well , because she mumbled
46