Ivy Compton-Burnett: Parents and Children

‘Did you ever suspect, Lester?’ said Graham.

‘I cannot claim that I did,’ said Lester, with a laugh. ‘I once hinted to Sir Jesse that we should like a photograph of our father, and that disposes of the question. But on that day when he paid us a visit to talk of his son, I knew.’

‘Why did you not tell us?’ said his sisters at once, neither of them throwing doubt on his word.

‘I thought it might be disturbing for you to know.’

‘It is disquieting news,’ said Priscilla, ‘but I am glad we have such a respectable father. Sir Jesse will still be esteemed.’

‘Ridley will have to live in exile, and Grandpa will remain the head of the village,’ said Daniel. ‘And I feel it is right.’

‘If it were not for the art of photography, Grandpa would still be held a perfect man,’ said Graham, in a tone of sympathy with his grandfather.

‘Mankind is known to use his inventions for his own destruction,’ said Priscilla.

‘Suppose there should be a great deal of talk about it,’ said Lester.

‘Only Ridley would want that,’ said Daniel. ‘And he can hardly cast the first stone.’

‘Grandpa can take that initiative,’ said Graham. ‘I can bear witness to it.’

‘No doubt many people have guessed,’ said Susan. ‘Now that the truth is out, the position will hardly be different.’

‘It is a good thing Grandpa is a man who can carry off anything,’ said Daniel.

‘I always wanted to meet a person like that,’ said Priscilla. ‘And now I am the daughter of one. I hope we have inherited the quality. It should be useful to us.’

‘Perhaps it has always been so,’ said Lester.

‘People will have a tinge of respect for us for our descent,’ said Priscilla. ‘And we shall share the feeling.’

‘You cannot bring your lips to utter the word, Father,’ said Daniel.

‘No, no,’ said Lester, almost before the words were out, ‘there is no need for that.’

‘Here are a note and a book from Hope,’ said Priscilla, as a parcel was brought to her. ‘She left them herself. I can see her going down the road. I wonder if she has any more news for us.’

DEAR PRISCILLA,

I meant to come in, but I caught sight of your guests, and I could not be the only person among so many, not related to Sir Jesse. I still hope it will be found out that I am, but meanwhile I just offer my love and congratulations.

HOPE CRANMER.

‘Someone else is approaching,’ said Susan. ‘That is why Hope did not wait. She wanted to meet Sir Jesse. He is going to that lane where he walks by himself, and he seems not to see her. Someone get in front of the window. He will be passing in a moment.’

‘It seems odd that he should be following his usual course,’ said Priscilla. ‘But no revelation has come to him. To think what pictures of the past must be crowding through his mind! Perhaps they have always done so, and that explains his absent ways. But I daresay we are judging by our own minds.’

She moved to the window and stood with her figure shadowing the room, and Sir Jesse gave her a glance as he passed, and raised his hat and walked on.