Ivy Compton-Burnett - Men and Wives

“It is an excellent word,” said Gregory.

“Well, it is the one that gives my meaning. Quail before it, blench, flinch. Blanch, cower, wince. Shrink! I tell you what I do quail before, Rachel, and that is the course my children are taking. I look forward to the day when I can take their mother by the hand, and point out the extent of her children’s sacrifice. That day is as a beacon before me. I should like to hear you say a word about the matter, Rachel.”

“I remember I failed you yesterday,” said Rachel. “But I have not changed in the night.”

“Ah, yes, that is how one feels. We must not speak about it. Tears would start to our eyes.”

“And yet you wanted me to. And Buttermere would be looking. Parents will sacrifice anyone to their children.”

“Oh, well, Rachel,” said Godfrey. “Well, tell us how long Percy will spare you to us.”

“Until after the working party. I have to explain that it won’t be held again. I must be revenged on the women who work for Harriet’s illness. All of them well and strong, and Harriet ill!”

“Well, they can’t help it,” said Godfrey.

“They can,” said Rachel. “I am sure they take great care of themselves.”

“Who will be coming to the working party?” said Jermyn.

“Gregory’s three, to see Gregory; and my two girls because I bring them; and Mrs. Christy to work; and Camilla because it is a kind of outing, and because it gives an effect of boldness to go where she meets Mr. Bellamy, which after all is better than the usual effect of wistfulness. And some more who have only names.”

“And who seem not to have even those,” said Jermyn. “’From him who hath not shall be taken away, even that which he hath.’”

“Yes, so it shall,” said Rachel. “I think the working party is all that Geraldine has. You will not come, Griselda, of course?”

“Ah, Rachel, no one but a woman can be a mother,” said Godfrey.

“True,” murmured Gregory.

“Isn’t the working party necessary?” said Jermyn.

“Well, it is to clothe the poor,” said Rachel. “Your mother had it, and we are giving it up. Things depend on the point of view. Remind me to be early, Godfrey, for fear Agatha gets into Harriet’s place. I am afraid she thinks it is she and not I, who is next to Harriet.”

Agatha Walked In an unconscious manner to Harriet’s seat, drew up and smiled as an afterthought at its occupant, and putting her gloves on the adjoining chair, loosened her mantle and began to speak.

“It is heartrending tidings about poor Lady Haslam. I was afraid there might be more in it than appeared, when I saw her the other morning. I was in her house the day after the dinner, and she told me a little about herself. It all seems to have come on very suddenly.”

“It may not have, if there was more in it than appeared,” said Rachel. “I believe we all of us judged by appearances.”

“What kind of symptoms did she have?” said Geraldine.

“I am sure Lady Haslam is not a person to have symptoms,” said Kate. “We should all have symptoms before she would.”

“She seems to have stolen a march on us,” said Geraldine. “I plead guilty to being a victim of symptoms at times. We are not all of the fortunate, tough kind that give no trouble.”

“Then you and Lady Haslam are alike at the moment,” said Rachel.

“I feel there must be some fundamental connection!” said Geraldine, revealing a complacence in the comparison.

“I hope I shall never give anyone any trouble,” said Agatha.

“We shall regret you when you die!” said Geraldine. “That is one of the privileges of the eldest, to be regretted and not to have to regret.”

“We cannot foretell the future,” said Agatha. “It may bring us anything.”

“Yes, even the death of Geraldine, as Agatha means,” said Rachel.

“It must in the end,” said Mellicent.

“I don’t think Agatha meant in the end,” said Rachel.

“Oh, no, she didn’t!” said Polly, clasping her hands.

“You are staying in the house, are you not?” said Geraldine to Rachel.

“It must be a great thing for them to have you,” said Agatha, granting completely the deserts of a peer.

“Was Lady Haslam able to leave directions before she went?” said Geraldine.

“I am sure the Ladies Hardisty and Haslam understand each other without words,” said Kate.

“Lady Hardisty, we were so afraid we were late,” said Mrs. Christy. “It is such a relief to find you have not begun. This is the last day we should wish to show ourselves unresponsive. I have been saying to Camilla that you are the only person I could bear to see in Lady Haslam’s place. ‘If Lady Hardisty can be Lady Haslam’s deputy,’ I said, ‘I can go to the working party in the spirit of effort for those poorer than ourselves, that the latter instilled into us.’”

“Is there anybody poorer?” said Camilla. “We ought to keep the things we make.”

“I wonder if we really do take so much interest in the poor,” said Geraldine. “I try to think I do, but I have a suspicion that I feel them to be on quite a different plane.”

“We shouldn’t have working parties for people on the same plane,” said Mellicent.

“I see we ought to give the party up,” said Rachel.

“What about Lady Haslam’s object in inaugurating it?” said Agatha.

“The best of us make mistakes,” said Kate, sending the glance of a fellow to Rachel.

“We prove that Lady Haslam is one of the best by giving it up,” said Rachel. “If we cling to it, it won’t seem that she has made a mistake.”

“We don’t want to cling to it, I am sure,” said Agatha. “We don’t come to work for our own pleasure.”

“Isn’t it a pleasure to work for those poorer than ourselves?” said Rachel. “Lady Haslam really did make a mistake.”

“Did I hear something about the eldest boy’s going to London?” said Agatha, her tone holding retaliation rather than question.

“I cannot tell if you did,” said Rachel.

“There is some special reason for his going, is there not?” said Agatha. “Something about remorse for his relations with his mother? A hint of it came through to me.”

“Oh, then you did hear something?” said Rachel.

“I heard for certain that it was so. That there was something like a scene one morning, that ended in Lady Haslam’s rushing out of the room. And an approach to remorse would follow that, it seems to me, when her illness came on so soon.”

“But you would have been sure if you had heard that. Especially if you heard for certain.”

“One does not give one’s attention definitely to servants’ gossip. The Haslams are not very fortunate in that little respect, it seems. I often feel thankful I am not able to keep what is called a trained staff.”

“A thankful spirit does help us through life’s difficulties, though I have never thought of dealing with that one in that way. And of course you must know about sons leaving home.”

“They do not always leave home for the same reasons. My boy left to make his career.”

“That is why Matthew is leaving,” said Rachel. “I remember now. So they do sometimes leave for the same reasons. I am glad it was not for your reason.”

“Are we not going to begin working?” said Agatha.

“I don’t know,” said Rachel. “I noticed you didn’t begin. I haven’t been here very often. I am only here to-day to take Lady Haslam’s place.”

“That was hardly her spirit,” said Agatha.

“I did not mean in spirit,” said Rachel.

“At any rate you are in her seat,” said Geraldine.

“Yes, that is what I said,” said Rachel.