Ivy Compton-Burnett - Parents and Children

‘Well, we won’t talk about it on Father’s first day,’ said Eleanor, allowing that it was an awkward subject.

James returned to the book he had been reading when his parents entered.

‘I should not read while your mother is in the room, my boy.’

James kept his eyes on the page until he seemed to reach a climax, put in his marker and smiled at his mother, while he put out his hand to the other book, whose appearance might need explanation.

‘You were just reading to a place where you could stop.’

‘Yes.’

‘And now you are going to have a change,’ said Eleanor, with a condoning smile and a sense of relief, as solemn spirits on seriously joyful occasions affected her as they did most people. ‘And now I hear Father calling me. I must remember who has the right to my time. I may not be able to visit you again today.’

She descended to the hall and came upon Fulbert and Luce engaged in talk. Her daughter turned to meet her.

‘Mother, the Cambridge results are out. They really came some days ago, but they have only transpired today. Daniel has a first, and Graham a low third. It is what they expected, so do not let us make a disturbance.’

‘Was anyone showing any tendency to do so, my dear?’

Fulbert jerked his thumb towards the door of the library with an air of giving an answer.

Sir Jesse emerged and walked in to luncheon, looking at no one. His grandsons followed him and paused to join their parents.

‘Well done, my boy,’ said Fulbert, bringing his hand down on Daniel’s shoulder. ‘Some people belittle this kind of success, but I am not one of them. This is a happy chance on my first day with you all.’

‘We were keeping the news for an opportune moment,’ said Daniel, not mentioning that they had postponed it until after their mother’s marriage. ‘And then we forgot it in the excitement of your return. It was in the Times on Tuesday, and Grandpa scanned the lists this morning and found our place. Somehow it seems an odd thing for him to do.’

‘There is no limit to what he is capable of,’ said Graham. ‘But I suppose not even he will think it a moment for dwelling on people’s weaker sides.’

‘Have you already forgotten that some things are not to be mentioned?’ said Eleanor.

‘I will remind myself of it, Mother. I am all for following the course.’

‘You shall have my support, my boy,’ said Fulbert, ‘I have not come back to expect great things of you. I have done little myself but survive. I ask nothing but your welcome.’

‘He has it,’ said Graham, in a fervent undertone.

‘You could not make an effort for your mother, Graham?’ said Eleanor.

‘Graham, some day you may tell people what was the bitterest moment of your life,’ said Daniel.

Fulbert signed towards the dining-room.

‘Is it wise to keep the old man waiting for his luncheon?’

Luce tiptoed to the room and back again, with a smile spreading over her face.

‘We have not done so, Father.’

‘We may as well go and catch him up,’ said Fulbert, walking through the open door.

Sir Jesse gave no sign while his family took their seats, but presently turned to Graham.

‘I mentioned to you that I saw those lists in the Times. I asked you if I was to believe the evidence of my eyes. You did not answer my question.’

‘Well, I wish you would not do so, Grandpa.’

‘Am I to gather there is some mistake?’

‘Things in the Times tend to be true. And the same must be said of the testimony of people’s senses.’

‘Are you speaking to me?’

‘I am answering you, Grandpa.’

‘Would you prefer to be apprenticed to a shoemaker or a shoeblack?’

‘The first; I should say there is no comparison. The work would be more skilled and more remunerative.’

‘Good reasons, my boy,’ said Fulbert, under his breath.

‘Why are unsuccessful sons supposed to apply themselves to callings connected with shoes?’ said Daniel.

‘No wonder good boots seem so very good,’ said Graham. ‘A great deal of good blood must be behind the making of them.’

‘If you cannot apply your sharpness to your work, I want none of it,’ said Sir Jesse.

‘Miss Mitford was so pleased about your place, Daniel,’ said Luce. ‘She also saw the lists in the Times. ’

‘The Times?’ said Sir Jesse, Regan and Eleanor at once.

‘Not the family copy,’ said Luce, laughing. ‘She has her own.’

‘How like her!’ said Regan, her tone almost giving way under her feeling.

‘Why, Grandma, she may want to know the news of the day.’

‘And no doubt does what she wants,’ said Regan, in the same tone.

‘You appear to be eating your luncheon, Graham,’ said Sir Jesse, seeming to view ordinary proceeding in his grandson, as his wife did in the governess. ‘What are your ideas about your ultimate provision?’

‘If only Graham could be cured, what problems it would solve!’ said Daniel.

‘You have never needed to have any on the subject yourself, Grandpa,’ said Graham.

‘You need not compare yourself with me. I have done many other things.’

‘Yes, I know you have,’ said Graham, drawing his mother’s eyes.

‘Do you feel no gratitude to me for your home and your education?’

‘You make me pay too heavy a price for them.’

‘I hope that sort of payment will stand you in stead with other people.’

The three children ran into the room in outdoor clothes.

‘They have just come in to see us,’ said Eleanor. ‘I thought they would be too much for their father today. He is not strong yet.’

‘Come and have a piece of my chicken,’ said Fulbert, to his youngest son.

Nevill came up and waited while a spoon was supplied, not standing very close or looking at the process.

‘Did you like it?’ said his father.

‘No, it burnt his tongue,’ said Nevill, and turned away.

‘How shall I pay for my future portions of chicken?’ said Graham.

‘I should be glad to know,’ said Sir Jesse.

‘Why can’t Graham just be a man like Grandpa and Father?’ said Gavin, who had grasped the nature of the conversation.

‘He has no money,’ said Eleanor. ‘You will all have to earn your living.’

‘Shall we? I thought it was only James.’

‘No, of course not. You are all in the same position.’

‘Then I shall be a traveller.’

‘You would not earn much like that.’

‘If I confronted great dangers, I should.’

‘Who would pay you for doing it? It would not be much good to other people.’

‘There are societies who pay,’ said Honor. ‘People like things to be discovered.’

‘Graham’s occupation is the immediate point,’ said Sir Jesse.

‘I thought you had arranged it, sir,’ said Graham.

‘He will call Grandpa, sir,’ said Nevill, in an admiring tone.

‘Shall we say a word about Daniel?’ said Fulbert. ‘We may as well dwell upon our success.’

‘He knows how glad and proud he has made us,’ said Eleanor. ‘We do not need to talk about it.’

‘I also have grasped the general feeling,’ said Graham.

‘I suppose Graham will be a tutor,’ said Sir Jesse, in a tone that did not exalt this calling.

‘I should be the first of Miss Mitford’s pupils to follow in her steps.’

Why isn’t it nice to be a tutor?’ said Honor. ‘Royal people have tutors, and their names are put in the papers.’

‘So are the ladies-in-waiting,’ said Sir Jesse.

‘Grandpa spoke to Honor,’ said Nevill, impressed by this equal answer.

‘Does Hatton also have the Times? ’ said Fulbert.

‘Hatton has it all,’ said Nevill.