Chapter IX

edfromtheothers,andtheaccidentseemeddesignedbyhigherpowerstogiveheranopportunityfortheamendswhichshefeltitherdutytomakeMrs.CraddockforherformerdisparagementofEdward.Shehadbeenthinkingthematterover,andconsideredanapologydistinctlyneedful.ButMissGloversufferedterriblyfromnervousness,andtheideaofbroachingsodelicateasubjectcausedherindescribabletortureyettheveryunpleasantnessofitreassuredher,ifspeechwassodisagreeable,itmustobviouslybeherduty.Butthewordsstuckinherthroat,andshebegantalkingoftheweather.Shereproachedherselfforcowardiceshesetherteethandgrewscarlet. “Bertha,Iwanttobegyourpardon,”sheblurtedoutsuddenly. “Whatonearthfor?”Berthaopenedhereyeswideandlookedatthepoorwomanwithastonishment. “IfeelI’vebeenunjusttoyourhusband.Ithoughthewasn’tapropermatchforyou,andIsaidthingsabouthimwhichIshouldn’tevenhavethought.I’mverysorry.He’soneofthebestandkindestmenI’veeverseen,andI’mverygladyoumarriedhim,andI’msureyou’llbeveryhappy.” TearscametoBertha’seyesasshelaughedshefeltinclinedtothrowherarmsroundthegrimMissGlover’sneck,forsuchaspeechatthatmomentwasverycomforting. “OfcourseIknowyoudidn’tmeanwhatyousaid.” “Ohyes,Idid,I’msorrytosay,”repliedMissGlover,whocouldallownoextenuationtoherowncrime. “I’dquiteforgottenallaboutitandIbelieveyou’llsoonbeasmadlyinlovewithEdwardasIam.” “MydearBertha,”repliedMissGlover,whoneverjested,“withyourhusband?Youmustbejoking.” ButMrs.Brandertoninterruptedthemwithherhighvoice. “Bertha,dear,Iwanttotalktoyou.”Bertha,smiling,satdownbesideher,andMrs.Brandertonproceededinundertones. “Imusttellyou,everyonehasbeensayingyou’rethehandsomestcoupleinthecounty,andweallthinkyourhusbandissonice.” “Helaughedatallyourjokes,”repliedBertha. “Yes,”saidMrs.Branderton,lookingupwardsandsidewayslikeacanary,“hehassuchamerrydisposition.ButI’vealwayslikedhim,dear.IwastellingMrs.MaystonRylethatI’veknownhimintimatelyeversincehewasborn.Ithoughtitwouldpleaseyoutoknowthatweallthinkyourhusbandisnice.” “I’mverymuchpleased.IhopeEdwardwillbeequallysatisfiedwithallofyou.” TheCraddock’scarriagecameearly,andBerthaofferedtodrivetheGlovershome. “Iwonderifthatladyhasswallowedapoker,”saidMr.Molson,assoonasthedrawing-roomdoorwasclosed. ThetwoMissHancockswentintoshrieksoflaughteratthissally,andeventheDeansmiledgently. “Wheredidshegetherdiamondsfrom?”saidtheelderMissHancock.“Ithoughttheywereaspooraschurchmice.” “Thediamondsandthepicturesaretheonlythingstheyhaveleft,”saidMrs.Branderton“herfamilyalwaysrefusedtosellthemthough,ofcourse,it’sabsurdforpeopleinthatpositiontohavesuchjewels.” “He’saremarkablynicefellow,”saidMrs.MaystonRyleinherdeep,authoritativevoice“butIagreewithMr.Molson,she’sdistinctlyinclinedtogiveherselfairs.” “TheLeysforgeneration