Men and Wives by Ivy Compton-Burnett

Author:Ivy Compton-Burnett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2013-12-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter XV

Agatha Walked In an unconscious manner to Harriet’s seat, drew up and smiled as an afterthought at its occupant, and putting her gloves on the adjoining chair, loosened her mantle and began to speak.

“It is heartrending tidings about poor Lady Haslam. I was afraid there might be more in it than appeared, when I saw her the other morning. I was in her house the day after the dinner, and she told me a little about herself. It all seems to have come on very suddenly.”

“It may not have, if there was more in it than appeared,” said Rachel. “I believe we all of us judged by appearances.”

“What kind of symptoms did she have?” said Geraldine.

“I am sure Lady Haslam is not a person to have symptoms,” said Kate. “We should all have symptoms before she would.”

“She seems to have stolen a march on us,” said Geraldine. “I plead guilty to being a victim of symptoms at times. We are not all of the fortunate, tough kind that give no trouble.”

“Then you and Lady Haslam are alike at the moment,” said Rachel.

“I feel there must be some fundamental connection!” said Geraldine, revealing a complacence in the comparison.

“I hope I shall never give anyone any trouble,” said Agatha.

“We shall regret you when you die!” said Geraldine. “That is one of the privileges of the eldest, to be regretted and not to have to regret.”

“We cannot foretell the future,” said Agatha. “It may bring us anything.”

“Yes, even the death of Geraldine, as Agatha means,” said Rachel.

“It must in the end,” said Mellicent.

“I don’t think Agatha meant in the end,” said Rachel.

“Oh, no, she didn’t!” said Polly, clasping her hands.

“You are staying in the house, are you not?” said Geraldine to Rachel.

“It must be a great thing for them to have you,” said Agatha, granting completely the deserts of a peer.

“Was Lady Haslam able to leave directions before she went?” said Geraldine.

“I am sure the Ladies Hardisty and Haslam understand each other without words,” said Kate.

“Lady Hardisty, we were so afraid we were late,” said Mrs. Christy. “It is such a relief to find you have not begun. This is the last day we should wish to show ourselves unresponsive. I have been saying to Camilla that you are the only person I could bear to see in Lady Haslam’s place. ‘If Lady Hardisty can be Lady Haslam’s deputy,’ I said, ‘I can go to the working party in the spirit of effort for those poorer than ourselves, that the latter instilled into us.’”

“Is there anybody poorer?” said Camilla. “We ought to keep the things we make.”

“I wonder if we really do take so much interest in the poor,” said Geraldine. “I try to think I do, but I have a suspicion that I feel them to be on quite a different plane.”

“We shouldn’t have working parties for people on the same plane,” said Mellicent.

“I see we ought to give the party up,” said Rachel.

“What about Lady Haslam’s object in inaugurating it?” said Agatha.

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