CHAPTER XXXV

Thecarstartedwell,andwithordinaryluckwouldhavegotaway.ButPorgly-woggles,whowasplayinginthegarden,chosethismomenttositdowninthemiddleofthepath.Crane,intryingtopasshim,ranonewheeloverabedofwallflowers.Dollyscreamed.Margaret,hearingthenoise,rushedouthatless,andwasintimetojumponthefootboard.ShesaidnotasinglewordhewasonlytreatingherasshehadtreatedHelen,andherrageathisdishonestyonlyhelpedtoindicatewhatHelenwouldfeelagainstthem.Shethought,“IdeserveitIampunishedforloweringmycolours.”Andsheacceptedhisapologieswithacalmnessthatastonishedhim. “Istillconsideryouarenotfitforit,”hekeptsaying. “PerhapsIwasnotatlunch.Butthewholethingisspreadclearlybeforemenow.” “Iwasmeaningtoactforthebest.” “Justlendmeyourscarf,willyou.Thiswindtakesone’shairso.” “Certainly,deargirl.Areyouallrightnow?” “Look!Myhandshavestoppedtrembling.” “Andhavequiteforgivenme?Thenlisten.HercabshouldalreadyhavearrivedatHowardsEnd.(We’realittlelate,butnomatter.)Ourfirstmovewillbetosenditdowntowaitatthefarm,as,ifpossible,onedoesn’twantascenebeforeservants.Acertaingentleman”—hepointedatCrane’sback—“won’tdrivein,butwillwaitalittleshortofthefrontgate,behindthelaurels.Haveyoustillthekeysofthehouse?” “Yes.