CHAPTER XLIII
關燈
小
中
大
sHenrywasalwaysmovingandcausingotherstomove,untiltheendsoftheearthmet.Butintimehemustgettootiredtomove,andsettledown.Whatnext?Theinevitableword.ThereleaseofthesoultoitsappropriateHeaven.
Wouldtheymeetinit?Margaretbelievedinimmortalityforherself.Aneternalfuturehadalwaysseemednaturaltoher.AndHenrybelievedinitforhimself.Yet,wouldtheymeetagain?Aretherenotratherendlesslevelsbeyondthegrave,asthetheorythathehadcensuredteaches?Andhislevel,whetherhigherorlower,coulditpossiblybethesameashers?
Thusgravelymeditating,shewassummonedbyhim.HesentupCraneinthemotor.Otherservantspassedlikewater,butthechauffeurremained,thoughimpertinentanddisloyal.MargaretdislikedCrane,andheknewit.
“IsitthekeysthatMr.Wilcoxwants?”sheasked.
“Hedidn’tsay,madam.”
“Youhaven’tanynoteforme?”
“Hedidn’tsay,madam.”
Afteramoment’sthoughtshelockedupHowardsEnd.Itwaspitiabletoseeinitthestirringsofwarmththatwouldbequenchedforever.Sherakedoutthefirethatwasblazinginthekitchen,andspreadthecoalsinthegravelledyard.Sheclosedthewindowsanddrewthecurtains.Henrywouldprobablyselltheplacenow.
Shewasdeterminednottosparehim,fornothingnewhadhappenedasfarastheywereconcerned.Hermoodmightneverhavealteredfromyesterdayevening.HewasstandingalittleoutsideCharles’sgate,andmotionedthecartostop.Whenhiswifegotouthesaidhoarsely:“Iprefertodiscussthingswithyououtside.”
“Itwillbemoreappropriateintheroad,Iamafraid,”saidMargaret.“Didyougetmymessage?”
“Whatabout?”
“IamgoingtoGermanywithmysister.ImusttellyounowthatIshallmakeitmypermanenthome.Ourtalklastnightwasmoreimportantthanyouhaverealised.Iamunabletoforgiveyouandamleavingyou.”
“Iamextremelytired,”saidHenry,ininjuredt
