CHAPTER X

worthlisteningto.SoproperthatsheblushedwhenshesawtheadvertisementpictureofacorsetandhadputadressonherVenusdeMilostatuettewhichmadeitlook“realtasty.” LittleCousinGeorgiana.Notsuchabadlittlesoul.Butdreary—very.Alwayslookingasifshehadjustbeenstarchedandironed.Alwaysafraidtoletherselfgo.Theonlythingshereallyenjoyedwasafuneral.Youknewwhereyouwerewithacorpse.Nothingmorecouldhappentoit.Butwhiletherewaslifetherewasfear. UncleJames.Handsome,black,withhissarcastic,trap-likemouthandiron-greyside-burns,whosefavouriteamusementwastowritecontroversialletterstotheChristianTimes,attackingModernism.Valancyalwayswonderedifhelookedassolemnwhenhewasasleepashedidwhenawake.Nowonderhiswifehaddiedyoung.Valancyrememberedher.Apretty,sensitivething.UncleJameshaddeniedhereverythingshewantedandshoweredonhereverythingshedidn’twant.Hehadkilledher—quitelegally.Shehadbeensmotheredandstarved. UncleBenjamin,wheezy,pussy-mouthed.Withgreatpouchesundereyesthatheldnothinginreverence. UncleWellington.Long,pallidface,thin,pale-yellowhair—“oneofthefairStirlings”—thin,stoopingbody,abominablyhighforeheadwithsuchuglywrinkles,and“eyesaboutasintelligentasafish’s,”thoughtValancy.“Lookslikeacartoonofhimself.” AuntWellington.NamedMarybutcalledbyherhusband’snametodistinguishherfromGreat-auntMary.Amassive,dignified,permanentlady.Splendidlyarranged,iron-greyhair.Rich,fashionablebeadeddress.Hadhermolesremovedbyelectrolysis—whichAuntMildredthoughtwasawickedevasionofthepurposesofGod. UncleHerbert,withhisspikygreyhair.AuntAlberta,whotwistedhermouthsounpleasantlyintalkingandhadagreatreputationforunselfishnessbecauseshewasalwaysgivingupalotofthingsshedidn’twant.Valancyletthemoffeasilyinherjudgmentbecauseshelikedthem,eveniftheywereinMilton’sexpressivephrase,“stupidlygood.”Butshewonderedforwhatinscr