Ivy Compton-Burnett: Mother and Son

“Well, I think some of mine grew weaker and died. But they might have done so anyhow.”

“It is strange how all things die,” said Rosebery. “Nothing escapes the common destiny. We are not the only things that are mortal.”

“I thought you thought we were the only ones that were not,” said Emma.

“In another sense, Miss Greatheart.”

“I should get very tired of life, if it went on for ever,” said Miss Burke.

“Are you not imagining an eternal routine on the pattern of your present one?” said Rosebery, gently.

“Perhaps I am.”

“Then you would get tired, dear,” said Emma.

Julius laughed.

“I have said it before,” said Rosebery, “and I do not scruple to say it again. These subjects lend themselves too easily to a certain brand of humour. We should be on our guard.”

“Would anyone like to live for ever?” said Hester.

“I should,” said Emma, “if I could have a comfortable, human life and not a spiritual one.”

“I think you are not serious,” said Rosebery.

“Well, I meant what I said.”

“Miss Greatheart, if I said anything, I should say too much.”

“Well, silence is golden,” said Julius.

“I do not know how it is, Father,” said Rosebery, with controlled force, “but I miss my mother more on these occasions than when I am alone.”

“I can explain it. You can do as you will with solitude. It does not take you on equal terms.”

“There may be food for thought there, Father.”

“Your son is too good for this world,” said Emma to Julius. “I see what the words mean.”

“That sounds quite conventional,” said Hester.

“Miss Greatheart’s usual object is to sound the opposite,” said Rosebery. “I think the cat wants someone to open the door.”

“Let me do it,” said Hester. “It is such a long time since I waited on him. He goes through quite differently when I open it.”

Plautus went through, as if it had opened itself, as he may have had an idea that it did, if he bided his time.

“I hope we shall soon see you at our house, Miss Greatheart,” said Julius. “This is the second time we have been to yours. I should like my niece and nephews to know you.”

“I have introduced them to her many times,” said Hester. “She sees them through my eyes. I would not say it is through rose-coloured spectacles, but I feel it is a happy introduction.”

“I want her to see them through her own, to see them as they are. That is how I like them.”

“It is how anyone would like them. They are a trio after my heart. We are becoming indispensable to each other.”

“Miss Wolsey, you have done much for them,” said Rosebery.

“She will do more, if she will bring her friend to see them,” said Julius. “It is a thing your mother suggested.”

“That will sanctify the visit to us, Father.”

“It will need the help,” said Emma. “I am not as Hester is. I have had the chance to live for myself, and I have taken it.”

“Miss Greatheart, comparisons are odious,” said Rosebery.

“I do not find this one so,” said Julius, smiling.

“I did the same until lately,” said Hester. “There is no difference between us there.”

“There is a great difference between you,” said Julius, “as there is between all definite people.”

“Yes, I fear I am the most definite, clear-cut person, built on the most uncompromisingly firm lines. I can make no claim to interesting vagueness. Such is my natural self, and people must accept it. And I daresay it tends to be the better thing.”

“I hardly know what my natural self is,” said Emma. “I should be afraid to know. Or I should be afraid for other people to. I don’t really mind about myself.”

“I mind about myself most of all. Myself and I are on the best of terms. We have the utmost trust in each other.”

“I should be ashamed to be on such terms with myself. We are known by the company we keep.”

“You are always thinking about people’s opinion.”

“You are fortunate in it at the moment, Miss Greatheart,” said Rosebery. “You are at any rate causing amusement.”

“And amusement of the best kind, which is one of the best things,” said Julius.

“There is a pretty speech,” said Hester.

“And uncharacteristic of my father,” said Rosebery. “Miss Greatheart is exerting a spell.”

“I hope we shall soon hear a characteristic one. People’s speeches are best when they are their own.”

“Best of all, when they are what ought to be their own,” said Emma.

“That can be said of mine,” said Julius.

“Miss Greatheart is leading my father into ways foreign to him.”

“I am sure of my direction,” said Julius.

“We always are,” said Hester, “until we find it is not ours. I never go out of my own path. I find I come on needy wayfarers there; and if I can serve them, I count it my success. A dull kind, but natural to me. A poor thing but mine own.”

“Well, may we decide on a day for Miss Greatheart’s visit?”

“Would it not be better to postpone it a little? It would make our time together go further.”

“You can meet again as soon as you please.”

“I am not used to the idea of frequent social occasions. I am still under the spell that met me when I first came to you. It is strange how one personality can determine an atmosphere. We see now that that is what it was.”

“I was never in doubt of it. But it is gone, and we must go forward as we can.”

“It is true, Father,” said Rosebery. “I begin to see it.”

“It seems to be soon for so much difference,” said Hester. “I suppose the way was prepared.”

“All conditions prepare the way for the next one,” said Julius. “That is how progress comes.”

“Or anyhow change.”

“Yes, that may be the word. Well, on what day will Miss Greatheart come to us?”

“What about next Wednesday?” said Emma.

“Why that day of all others?” said Hester.

“It is Miss Burke’s day out, and it is less pleasant for me here.”

“Well, that is a reason, if you have no other.”

“I do not need any other.”

“Miss Burke, you are indeed indispensable to your friend,” said Rosebery, in a low tone. “The relation precludes the use of any other term.”

“We hear people talk and talk, and know we do not see into their minds,” said Hester. “Their words are no key to them.”

“I find them a series of delicate keys,” said Emma.

“You imagine what you would feel in their place.”

“No, that would be quite different.”

“Better or worse?” said Julius.

“Sometimes so much better that I almost esteem my-myself. And I don’t think ever any worse.”

“So you are morally above the average,” said Hester. “It must be a satisfying thought.”

“Not very. I would rather be mentally above it. I am so glad that I am.”

“No one would question it, Miss Greatheart,” said Rosebery.

“We all think that of ourselves,” said Hester.

“Miss Wolsey, I should not have accused you of it,” said Rosebery, in a tone of surprise.

“Well, I set my face against anything that makes me look down on other people. So perhaps I have conquered the common tendency.”

“What of you, Miss Burke? Do you feel you are mentally above the average? I can claim to be an exception to the rule.”

“A rule is supposed only to need one exception.”

“You are above it dear!” said Emma.

“Miss Burke has had few opportunities of showing it,” said Rosebery. “Not that I intend any comparisons.”

“People say that, when they have made them.”

“You are too subtle for me, Miss Greatheart. I am a simple person and stand as what I am.”