Part 51 (1/2)
Edwin felt again the implication, first rendered by his aunt, and now emphasised by Clara and Albert, that the responsibility of the situation was upon him, and that everybody would look to him to discharge it. He was expected to act, somehow, on his own initiative, and to do something.
”But what is there to do?” he exclaimed, in answer to a question.
”Well, hadn't he better see a doctor?” Clara asked, as if saying ironically, ”Hasn't it occurred to you even yet that a doctor ought to be fetched?”
Edwin protested with a movement of impatience--
”What on earth for? He's walking about all right.”
They had all been surrept.i.tiously watching Darius from behind the curtains.
”Doesn't seem to be much the matter with him now! That I must say!”
agreed Albert, turning from the window.
Edwin perceived that his brother-in-law was ready to execute one of those changes of front which lent variety to his positiveness, and he addressed himself particularly to Albert, with the persuasive tone and gesture of a man to another man in a company of women--
”Of course there doesn't! No doubt he was upset last night. But he's getting over it. You don't think there's anything in it, do you, Maggie?”
”I don't,” said Maggie calmly.
These two words had a great effect.
”Of course if we're going to listen to every tale that's flying about a potbank,” said Edwin.
”You're right there, Teddy!” the brother-in-law heartily concurred.
”But Clary thought we'd better--”
”Certainly,” said Edwin pacifically, admitting the entire propriety of the visit.
”Why's he wearing his best clothes?” Clara demanded suddenly. And Mrs Hamps showed a sympathetic appreciation of the importance of the question.
”Ask me another!” said Edwin. ”But you can't send for a doctor because a man's wearing his best clothes.”
Maggie smiled, scarce perceptibly. Albert gave a guffaw. Clara was slightly irritated.
”Poor little dear!” murmured Mrs Hamps, caressing the baby. ”Well, I must be going,” she sighed.
”We shall see how he goes on,” said Edwin, in his role of responsible person.
”Perhaps it will be as well if you say nothing about us calling,”
whispered Mrs Hamps. ”We'll just go quietly away. You can give a hint to Mrs Nixon. Much better he shouldn't know.”
”Oh! much better!” said Clara.
Edwin could not deny this. Yet he hated the chicane. He hated to observe on the face of the young woman and of the old their instinctive impulses towards chicane, and their pleasure in it. The whole double visit was subtly offensive to him. Why should they gather like this at the first hint that his father was not well? A natural affectionate anxiety... Yes, of course, that motive could not be denied.
Nevertheless, he did not like the tones and the gestures and the whisperings and oblique glances of their gathering.