CHAPTER XXXI

somethinginthespring.” “Ifpossible,somethingpermanent.Ican’tbeasyoungasIwas,forthesealterationsdon’tsuitme.” “But,mydear,whichwouldyouratherhave—alterationsorrheumatism?” “Iseeyourpoint,”saidMargaret,gettingup.“IfOnitonisreallydamp,itisimpossible,andmustbeinhabitedbylittleboys.Only,inthespring,letuslookbeforeweleap.IwilltakewarningbyEvie,andnothurryyou.Rememberthatyouhaveafreehandthistime.Theseendlessmovesmustbebadforthefurniture,andarecertainlyexpensive.” “Whatapracticallittlewomanitis!What’sitbeenreading?Theo—theo—howmuch?” “Theosophy.” SoDucieStreetwasherfirstfate—apleasantenoughfate.Thehouse,beingonlyalittlelargerthanWickhamPlace,trainedherfortheimmenseestablishmentthatwaspromisedinthespring.Theywerefrequentlyaway,butathomeliferanfairlyregularly.InthemorningHenrywenttobusiness,andhissandwich—arelicthisofsomeprehistoriccraving—wasalwayscutbyherownhand.Hedidnotrelyuponthesandwichforlunch,butlikedtohaveitbyhimincasehegrewhungryateleven.Whenhehadgone,therewasthehousetolookafter,andtheservantstohumanise,andseveralkettlesofHelen’stokeepontheboil.HerconscienceprickedheralittleabouttheBastsshewasnotsorrytohavelostsightofthem.NodoubtLeonardwasworthhelping,butbeingHenry’swife,shepreferredtohelpsomeoneelse.Asfortheatresanddiscussionsocieties,theyattractedherlessandless.Shebeganto“miss”newmovements,andtospendhersparetimere-readingorthinking,rathertotheconcernofherChelseafriends.Theyattributedthechangetohermarriage,andperhapssomedeepinstinctdidwarnhernottotravelfurtherfromherhusbandthanwasinevitable.Yetthemaincauselaydeeperstillshehadoutgrownstimulants,andwaspassingfromwordstothings.ItwasdoubtlessapitynottokeepupwithWedekindorJohn,butsomeclosingofthegatesisinevitableafterthirty,iftheminditselfistobecomeacreativepower.