Part 57 (1/2)
It was Uncle and Aunt Ruyvenaer, with their girls following behind. And Constance saw a look of pity in their eyes.
”I say, Constance....” whispered Aunt Lot.
”Yes, Auntie?”
”Does Mamma know about that hor-r-rid article?”
Constance turned pale:
”I don't think so, Auntie.”
”But your sister Dorine must know....”
Aunt Ruyvenaer beckoned to Dorine, who was very fidgety:
”I say, Dorine, does Mamma know about that hor-r-rid article?”
”No, Auntie,” said Dorine, forgetting to say good-evening to Constance.
”I kept coming in and looking at the letter-box....”
”To-day?” asked Constance.
”Yes.”
”What do you mean, to-day? A week ago, you mean.”
”No, Mamma didn't see that article last week, but I was afraid about to-day.”
”To-day?”
”Yes, to-day's article.”
Constance caught Dorine by the arm:
”Is there something in it, to-day?”
”Yes,” Dorine whispered, coldly. ”Didn't you know?”
”Don't you know, Constance?” asked Auntie Lot.
”No, I haven't had it....”
”So you haven't read it, Constance?”
”No.”
”Well, it's just as well, child,” said Auntie, as though relieved.
”Better not read it, eh? Hor-r-rid article. Scandalous, child, about you.... Eh, _soedah_[23] all those people.... And it's so long ago, you and your husband; and he is your husband now!... Eh, what I say is, leave her alone. Forgive and forget, _soedah!_ But I tell you, people always love to _korek_ about _tempo doeloe_.[24] It makes me sick when I think what people are!”
”Dorine, have you that article?”