Part 29 (1/2)
”Thanks, yes. That would be delightful.”
”Not so delightful, my dear, as educative. But as I was saying, Benis, it is all your fault that this misconception has got about. I blame you very much in the matter. It comes naturally from your writing so continually about Indians and foreigners and Primitives generally.
People come to a.s.sociate you with them. Still, I think it was extremely rude of Mrs. Stopford Brown to say it.”
”So do I,” said Spence, with conviction.
”I asked Mrs. Everett, who told me, if anyone else had made remarks leading up to it. But she says not a word. It was just that Mrs.
Everett said that it was strange that when you had taken so long to consider marriage you should have made up your mind so quickly in the end--'Gone off like a sky-rocket!' was her exact wording, and Mrs.
Stopford Brown said, in that frivolous way she has, 'Oh, I suppose he stumbled across a Primitive.' You will notice, Desire, that Mrs.
Stopford Brown's name is not upon the list for your reception.”
”But--” began Desire, controlling her face with difficulty.
”No 'buts,' my dear. It may seem severe, but Mrs. Stopford Brown is quite too careless in her general conversation. It is true that her remark is directly traceable to my nephew's unfortunate writings, but she should have investigated her facts before speaking. The result is that it is all over town that you have Indian blood. They say that, out there, almost everyone married squaws once and that is why there is no dower law in British Columbia. Those selfish people did not wish their Indian wives to wear the family jewels. Benis! You will break that cup if you balance it so carelessly. What I want to know is, what are you going to do about it?”
”Not being a resident of British Columbia, I cannot do anything, Aunt.
But I think you will find that since women got the vote the matter has been adjusted.”
”I do not understand you. What possible connection has the women's vote with Mrs. Stopford Brown?”
”I thought you were speaking of dower laws. As for Mrs. Brown, haven't you already fitted the punishment to the crime?”
”Then you will not officially contradict the rumor?”
”Dear Aunt, I am not an official. And a rumor is of no importance--until it is contradicted. Surely you are letting yourself get excited about nothing.”
Aunt Caroline bestowed upon Desire the feminine glance which means, ”What fools men are.”
”That's all very well now,” she said. ”But it is incredible how rumor persists. And when you are a father--there! I knew you would end by breaking that cup.”
”Aren't we being rather absurd?” asked Desire a little later when Aunt Caroline and the tea tray had departed together. ”Besides, you can't break a cup every time.”
Spence sighed. It was undoubtedly true that cups do come to an end.
”What we want to do,” said Desire, angry at her heightened color, ”is to be sensible.”
”That's what Aunt Caroline is. Do you want us to be like Aunt Caroline?”
”I want us to face facts without blus.h.i.+ng and jumping.”
”I never blush.”
”You jump.”
”Sorry. But give me time. I am new at this yet. Presently I shall be able to listen to Aunt describing my feelings as a grandfather without a quiver. Poor Aunt!”