Part 12 (1/2)
”Then what was it?”
She repeated: ”An instinct which may be wrong.”
”In other words, they belong to types that can fall in love, but couldn't live together. That's dreadfully probable. I'm afraid that in nine cases out of ten Nature pulls one way and human nature another.”
”These are indeed 'other words,'” said Mrs. Wilc.o.x. ”I had nothing so coherent in my head. I was merely alarmed when I knew that my boy cared for your sister.”
”Ah, I have always been wanting to ask you. How DID you know? Helen was so surprised when our aunt drove up, and you stepped forward and arranged things. Did Paul tell you?”
”There is nothing to be gained by discussing that,” said Mrs. Wilc.o.x after a moment's pause.
”Mrs. Wilc.o.x, were you very angry with us last June? I wrote you a letter and you didn't answer it.”
”I was certainly against taking Mrs. Matheson's flat. I knew it was opposite your house.”
”But it's all right now?”
”I think so.”
”You only think? You aren't sure? I do love these little muddles tidied up?”
”Oh yes, I'm sure,” said Mrs. Wilc.o.x, moving with uneasiness beneath the clothes. ”I always sound uncertain over things. It is my way of speaking.”
”That's all right, and I'm sure, too.”
Here the maid came in to remove the breakfast-tray. They were interrupted, and when they resumed conversation it was on more normal lines.
”I must say good-bye now--you will be getting up.”
”No--please stop a little longer--I am taking a day in bed. Now and then I do.”
”I thought of you as one of the early risers.”
”At Howards End--yes; there is nothing to get up for in London.”
”Nothing to get up for?” cried the scandalised Margaret. ”When there are all the autumn exhibitions, and Ysaye playing in the afternoon! Not to mention people.”
”The truth is, I am a little tired. First came the wedding, and then Paul went off, and, instead of resting yesterday, I paid a round of calls.”
”A wedding?”
”Yes; Charles, my elder son, is married.”
”Indeed!”
”We took the flat chiefly on that account, and also that Paul could get his African outfit. The flat belongs to a cousin of my husband's, and she most kindly offered it to us. So before the day came we were able to make the acquaintance of Dolly's people, which we had not yet done.”
Margaret asked who Dolly's people were.
”Fussell. The father is in the Indian army--retired; the brother is in the army. The mother is dead.”