CHAPTER II
關燈
小
中
大
ating.Thoughthepromontoryconsistedofflats—expensive,withcavernousentrancehalls,fullofconciergesandpalms—itfulfilleditspurpose,andgainedfortheolderhousesoppositeacertainmeasureofpeace.
These,too,wouldbesweptawayintime,andanotherpromontorywouldariseupontheirsite,ashumanitypileditselfhigherandhigherontheprecioussoilofLondon.
Mrs.Munthadherownmethodofinterpretinghernieces.ShedecidedthatMargaretwasalittlehysterical,andwastryingtogaintimebyatorrentoftalk.Feelingverydiplomatic,shelamentedthefateofSpeyer,anddeclaredthatnever,nevershouldshebesomisguidedastovisitit,andaddedofherownaccordthattheprinciplesofrestorationwereillunderstoodinGermany.“TheGermans,”shesaid,“aretoothorough,andthisisallverywellsometimes,butatothertimesitdoesnotdo.”
“Exactly,”saidMargaret“Germansaretoothorough.”Andhereyesbegantoshine.
“OfcourseIregardyouSchlegelsasEnglish,”saidMrs.Munthastily—“Englishtothebackbone.”
Margaretleanedforwardandstrokedherhand.
“Andthatremindsme—Helen’sletter.”
“Ohyes,AuntJuley,IamthinkingallrightaboutHelen’sletter.Iknow—Imustgodownandseeher.Iamthinkingaboutherallright.Iammeaningtogodown.”
“Butgowithsomeplan,”saidMrs.Munt,admittingintoherkindlyvoiceanoteofexasperation.“Margaret,ifImayinterfere,don’tbetakenbysurprise.WhatdoyouthinkoftheWilcoxes?Aretheyoursort?Aretheylikelypeople?CouldtheyappreciateHelen,whoistomymindaveryspecialsortofperson?DotheycareaboutLiteratureandArt?Thatismostimportantwhenyoucometothinkofit.LiteratureandArt.Mostimportant.Howoldwouldthesonbe?Shesays‘youngerson.’Wouldhebeinapositiontomarry?IshelikelytomakeHelenhappy?Didyougather—”
“Igatherednothing.”
Theybegantotalkatonce.
“Theninthatcase—”
“InthatcaseIcanmakenoplans,don’tyousee.”
“Onthecontrary—”
“Ihateplans.Ihatelinesofaction.Helenisn’tababy.”
“Theninthatcase,mydear,whygodown?”
Margaretwassilent.Ifherauntcouldnotseewhyshemustgodown,shewasnotgoingtotellher.Shewasnotgoingtosay,“IlovemydearsisterImustbenearheratthiscrisisofherlife.”Theaffectionsaremorereticentthanthepassions,andtheirex
