CHAPTER XXXIII

ssionwasthatMr.Brycehadtakeneverythingaway.Theytriedtheback.Hereagaintheyreceivednoanswer,andcouldseenothingthekitchen-windowwasfittedwithablind,whilethepantryandsculleryhadpiecesofwoodproppedupagainstthem,whichlookedominouslylikethelidsofpacking-cases.Margaretthoughtofherbooks,andshelifteduphervoicealso.Atthefirstcryshesucceeded. “Well,well!”repliedsomeoneinsidethehouse.“Ifitisn’tMrs.Wilcoxcomeatlast!” “Haveyougotthekey,auntie?” “Madge,goaway,”saidMissAvery,stillinvisible. “Auntie,it’sMrs.Wilcox—” Margaretsupportedher.“YournieceandIhavecometogether.” “Madge,goaway.Thisisnomomentforyourhat.” Thepoorwomanwentred.“Auntiegetsmoreeccentriclately,”shesaidnervously. “MissAvery!”calledMargaret.“Ihavecomeaboutthefurniture.Couldyoukindlyletmein?” “Yes,Mrs.Wilcox,”saidthevoice,“ofcourse.”Butafterthatcamesilence.Theycalledagainwithoutresponse.Theywalkedroundthehousedisconsolately. “IhopeMissAveryisnotill,”hazardedMargaret. “Well,ifyou’llexcuseme,”saidMadge,“perhapsIoughttobeleavingyounow.Theservantsneedseeingtoatthefarm.Auntieissooddattimes.”Gatheringupherelegancies,sheretireddefeated,and,asifherdeparturehadloosedaspring,thefrontdooropenedatonce. MissAverysaid,“Well,comerightin,Mrs.Wilcox!”quitepleasantlyandcalmly. “Thankyousomuch,”beganMargaret,butbrokeoffatthesightofanumbrella-stand.Itwasherown. “Comerightintothehallfirst,”saidMissAvery.Shedrewthecurtain,andMargaretutteredacryofdespair.Foranappallingthinghadhappened.ThehallwasfittedupwiththecontentsofthelibraryfromWickhamPlace.Thecarpethadbeenlaid,thebigwork-tabledrawnupnearthewindowthebookcasesfilledthewalloppositethefireplace,andherfather’ssword—thisiswhatbewilderedherparticularly—hadbeendrawnfromitsscabbardandhungnakedamongstthesobervolumes.MissAverymusthaveworkedfordays. “I’mafraidthisisn’twhatwemeant,”shebegan.“Mr.WilcoxandIneverintendedthecasestobetouched.Forinstance,thesebooksaremybrother’s.Wearestoringthemforhimandformysister,whoisabroad.Whenyoukindlyundertooktolookafterthings,weneverexpectedyoutodosomuch.” “Thehousehasbeenemptylongenough,”saidtheoldwoman. Margaretrefusedtoargue.“Idaresaywedidn’texplain,”shesaidcivilly.“Ithasbeenamistake,andverylikelyourmistake.” “Mrs.Wilcox,ithasbeenmistakeuponmistakeforfiftyyears.ThehouseisMrs.Wilcox’s,andshewouldnotdesireittostandemptyanylonger.” Tohelpthepoordecayingbrain,Margaretsaid: “Yes,Mrs.Wilcox’shouse,themotherofMr.Charles.” “Mistakeuponmistake,”saidMissAvery.“Mistakeuponmistake.” “Well,Idon’tknow,”saidMargaret,sittingdowninoneofherownchairs.“Ireallydon’tknowwhat’stobedone.”Shecouldnothelplaughing. Theothersaid:“Yes,itshouldbeamerryhouseenough.” “Idon’tknow—Idaresay.Well,thankyouverymuch,MissAvery.Yes,that’sallright.Delightful.” “Thereisstilltheparlour.”Shewentthroughthedooroppositeanddre