CHAPTER VIII.

WhatnamedothJoymostborrow Whenlifeisfair? “To-morrow.” WhatnamedothbestfitSorrow Inyoungdespair? “To-morrow.” Therewasamuchmorelastingtroubleattherectory.Rexarrivedthereonlytothrowhimselfonhisbedinastateofapparentapathy,unbrokentillthenextday,whenitbegantobeinterruptedbymorepositivesignsofillness.NothingcouldbesaidabouthisgoingtoSouthampton:insteadofthat,thechiefthoughtofhismotherandAnnawashowtotendthispatientwhodidnotwanttobewell,andfrombeingthebrightest,mostgratefulspiritinthehousehold,wasmetamorphosedintoanirresponsive,dull-eyedcreaturewhometallaffectionateattemptswithamurmurof“Letmealone.”Hisfatherlookedbeyondthecrisis,andbelievedittobetheshortestwayoutofanunluckyaffairbuthewassorryfortheinevitablesuffering,andwentnowandthentositbyhiminsilenceforafewminutes,partingwithagentlepressureofhishandonRex’sblankbrow,anda“Godblessyou,myboy.”Warhamandtheyoungerchildrenusedtopeeproundtheedgeofthedoortoseethisincrediblethingoftheirlivelybrotherbeinglaidlowbutfingerswereimmediatelyshakenatthemtodrivethemback.TheguardianwhowasalwaystherewasAnna,andherlittlehandwasallowedtorestwithinherbrother’s,thoughhenevergaveitawelcomingpressure.HersoulwasdividedbetweenanguishforRexandreproachofGwendolen. “Perhapsitiswickedofme,butIthinkInevercanloveheragain,”cameastherecurrentburdenofpoorlittleAnna’sinwardmonody.AndevenMrs.Gascoignehadanangryfeelingtowardherniecewhichshecouldnotrefrainfromexpressing(apologetically)toherhusband. “Iknowofcourseitisbetter,andweoughttobethankfulthatsheisnotinlovewiththepoorboybutreally.Henry,Ithinksheishardshehastheheartofacoquette.Icannothelpthinkingthatshemusthavemadehimbelievesomething,orthedisappointmentwouldnothavetakenholdofhiminthatway.AndsomeblameattachestopoorFannysheisquiteblindaboutthatgirl.” Mr.Gascoigneansweredimperatively:“Thelesssaidonthatpointthebetter,Nancy.Ioughttohavebeenmoreawakemyself.Astotheboy,bethankfulifnothingworseeverhappenstohim.LetthethingdieoutasquicklyaspossibleandespeciallywithregardtoGwendolen—letitbeasifithadneverbeen.” Therector’sdominantfeelingwasthattherehadbeenagreatescape.GwendoleninlovewithRexinreturnwouldhavemadeamuchharderproblem,thesolutionofwhichmighth