A Fine and Private Place

TERM

It is born.

The next morning, quite late, as Crump held her chair in the breakfast room, Virginia Whyte Importuna asked, “Where is Mr. Importuna?”

“He hasn’t appeared this morning as yet, madam, from his bedroom.”

“Nino still asleep? At this hour? That’s not like him.”

“I presume the excitement and so on of yesterday, madam.”

“It’s true he didn’t feel well at dinner last night and went straight to bed,” Virginia said. She frowned. “Hasn’t Vincenzo said anything?”

“Mr. Importuna’s man has strict orders never to disturb the master, madam, until he’s rung for.”

“I know that! But orders are made to be broken, Crump. That’s what distinguishes people from robots!”

“Yes, madam. Do you wish me to look in on Mr. Importuna?”

“I’ll do it myself.”

She was dressed in a billowing morning gown, and as she swept through the vast museum of her home she thought, If I had a candle in my hand I’ll bet I’d be mistaken for Lady Macbeth.

Importuna’s bedroom door was closed.

She tried the knob and it turned. She raised her hand, hesitated, then knocked lightly.

“Nino?”

They had had separate bedrooms since very early in their marriage, when Virginia first faced one of the bitterer truths of her bargain. You blackmailed me into marrying you, she had told him, and you’re keeping me married to you by the stick and the carrot, and as your wife I have to endure your bestialities, but there is nothing in our contract that says I must occupy your bedroom after you’ve been slaked. I demand sleeping quarters of my own.

He had supplied them instantly. So long as you understand your duties, sposa, he had said with a mock bow of his squat-to her, grotesque-figure.

“Nino?” Virginia knocked again.

And yet, she thought, no physical violence, ever. Merely humiliations. Merely! Often she would have preferred the violence. To the abasement, the cruel degradation of her womanhood. As if she were in her own person responsible for his deficiency as a man and must be made to pay and suffer for it.

“Nino!”

From beyond the door still nothing.

So Virginia flung it aside and opened her mouth and was surprised that her shriek came out in a puff of silence. But she persisted, and eventually the shrieking had a sound to it. Then Crump came running as if for his stately, superior life, and Editta to add to the noise, and Vincenzo, and other servants, even the magnificent Cesar, and at last Peter, from his workroom. Peter, who glanced for a full five stricken seconds into Importuna’s bedroom. Then he reached in and grasped the handle of the door and pulled it viciously to. And grabbed the shrieker by both arms, cast her bodily at Crump, and shouted, “Do something human for once in your life, will you? Take care of Mrs. Importuna. The police-I’ve got to call the police.”