CHAPTER XXXVIII
關燈
小
中
大
Thetragedybeganquietlyenough,and,likemanyanothertalk,bytheman’sdeftassertionofhissuperiority.Henryheardherarguingwiththedriver,steppedoutandsettledthefellow,whowasinclinedtoberude,andthenledthewaytosomechairsonthelawn.Dolly,whohadnotbeen“told,”ranoutwithoffersoftea.Herefusedthem,andorderedthemtowheelbaby’sperambulatoraway,astheydesiredtobealone.
“Butthediddumscan’tlistenheisn’tninemonthsold,”shepleaded.
“That’snotwhatIwassaying,”retortedherfather-in-law.
Babywaswheeledoutofearshot,anddidnothearaboutthecrisistilllateryears.ItwasnowtheturnofMargaret.
“Isitwhatwefeared?”heasked.
“Itis.”
“Deargirl,”hebegan,“thereisatroublesomebusinessaheadofus,andnothingbutthemostabsolutehonestyandplainspeechwillseeusthrough.”Margaretbentherhead.“Iamobligedtoquestionyouonsubjectswe’dbothprefertoleaveuntouched.Asyouknow,IamnotoneofyourBernardShawswhoconsidernothingsacred.TospeakasImustwillpainme,butthereareoccasions—Wearehusbandandwife,notchildren.Iamamanoftheworld,andyouareamostexceptionalwoman.”
AllMargaret’ssensesforsookher.Sheblushed,andlookedpasthimattheSixHills,coveredwithspringherbage.Notinghercolour,hegrewstillmorekind.
“IseethatyoufeelasIfeltwhen—Mypoorlittlewife!Oh,bebrave!Justoneortwoquestions,andIhavedonewithyou.Wasyoursisterwearingawedding-ring?”
Margaretstammereda“No.”
Therewasanappallingsilence.
“Henry,IreallycametoaskafavouraboutHowardsEnd.”
“Onepointatatime.Iamnowobligedtoaskforthenameofherseducer.”
Sherosetoherfeetandheldthechairbetweenthem.Hercolourhadebbed,andshewasgrey.Itdidnotdispleasehimthatsheshouldreceivehisquestionthus.
“Takeyourtime,”hecounselledher.“Rememberthatthisisfarworseformethanforyou.”
Sheswayedhefearedshewasgoingtofaint.Thenspeechcame,andshesaidslowly:“Seducer?NoIdonotknowherseducer’sname.”
“Wouldshenot
