CHAPTER XXIV

“OrMissAverygivingmeaweddingpresent,”saidDolly. Whichwasillogicalbutinteresting.ThroughDolly,Margaretwasdestinedtolearnagooddeal. “ButCharlessaidImusttrynottomind,becauseshehadknownhisgrandmother.” “Asusual,you’vegotthestorywrong,mygoodDorothea.” “Imeantgreat-grandmother—theonewholeftMrs.Wilcoxthehouse.Weren’tbothofthemandMissAveryfriendswhenHowardsEnd,too,wasafarm?” Herfather-in-lawblewoutashaftofsmoke.Hisattitudetohisdeadwifewascurious.Hewouldalludetoher,andhearherdiscussed,butnevermentionedherbyname.Norwasheinterestedinthedim,bucolicpast.Dollywas—forthefollowingreason. “Thenhadn’tMrs.Wilcoxabrother—orwasitanuncle?Anyhow,hepoppedthequestion,andMissAvery,shesaid‘No.’Justimagine,ifshe’dsaid‘Yes,’shewouldhavebeenCharles’saunt.(Oh,Isay,that’srathergood!‘Charlie’sAunt’!Imustchaffhimaboutthatthisevening.)Andthemanwentoutandwaskilled.Yes,I’mcertainI’vegotitrightnow.TomHoward—hewasthelastofthem.” “Ibelieveso,”saidMr.Wilcoxnegligently. “Isay!HowardsEnd—HowardsEnded!”criedDolly.“I’mratheronthespotthisevening,eh?” “Iwishyou’daskwhetherCrane’sended.” “Oh,Mr.Wilcox,howcanyou?” “Because,ifhehashadenoughtea,weoughttogo—Dolly’sagoodlittlewoman,”hecontinued,“butalittleofhergoesalongway.Icouldn’tlivenearherifyoupaidme.” Margaretsmiled.Thoughpresentingafirmfronttooutsiders,noWilcoxcouldlivenear,ornearthepossessionsof,anyotherWilcox.Theyhadthecolonialspirit,andwe