to let by galsworthy, john, 1867-1933
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Title:ToLet
Author:JohnGalsworthy
ReleaseDate:March,2003[Etext#3817]
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AUTHOR'SNOTE
Withthisvolume,TheForsyteSaga--thatseriescomprising"The
ManofProperty,""IndianSummerofaForsyte"(fromthevolume"FiveTales"),"InChancery,"and"Awakening"--comestoanend.J.G.
CONTENTS
PARTI
I.ENCOUNTERII.FINEFLEURFORSYTE
III.ATROBINHILLIV.THEMAUSOLEUMV.THENATIVEHEATHVI.JONVII.FLEURVIII.IDYLLONGRASSIX.GOYAX.TRIOXI.DUETXII.CAPRICE
PARTII
I.MOTHERANDSONII.FATHERSANDDAUGHTERSIII.MEETINGSIV.INGREENSTREETV.PURELYFORSYTEAFFAIRSVI.SOAMES'PRIVATELIFEVII.JUNETAKESAHANDVIII.THEBITBETWEENTHETEETHIX.FATINTHEFIREX.DECISION
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XI.TIMOTHYPROPHESIES
PARTIII
I.OLDJOLYONWALKSII.CONFESSIONIII.IRENE!IV.SOAMESCOGITATESV.THEFIXEDIDEAVI.DESPERATEVII.EMBASSYVIII.THEDARKTUNEIX.UNDERTHEOAK-TREEX.FLEUR'SWEDDINGXI.THELASTOFTHEFORSYTES
PARTI
I
ENCOUNTER
SoamesForsyteemergedfromtheKnightsbridgeHotel,wherehewasstaying,intheafternoonofthe12thofMay,1920,withtheintentionofvisitingacollectionofpicturesinaGalleryoffCorkStreet,andlookingintotheFuture.Hewalked.SincetheWarhenevertookacabifhecouldhelpit.Theirdriverswere,inhisview,anuncivillot,though,nowthattheWarwasoverandsupplybeginningtoexceeddemandagain,gettingmorecivilinaccordancewiththecustomofhumannature.Still,hehadnotforgiventhem,deeplyidentifyingthemwithgloomymemoriesand,nowdimly,likeallmembersoftheirclass,withrevolution.The
considerableanxietyhehadpassedthroughduringtheWar,andthemoreconsiderableanxietyhehadsinceundergoneinthePeace,hadproducedpsychologicalconsequencesinatenaciousnature.Hehad,mentally,sofrequentlyexperiencedruin,thathehadceasedtobelieveinitsmaterialprobability.Payingawayfourthousandayearinincomeandsuper-tax,onecouldnotverywellbeworseoff!Afortuneofaquarterofamillion,encumberedonlybyawifeandonedaughter,andverydiverselyinvested,affordedsubstantialguaranteeevenagainstthat"wildcatnotion"--alevyoncapital.Andastoconfiscationofwarprofits,hewasentirelyinfavorofit,forhehadnone,and"servethebeggarsright!"Thepriceofpictures,moreover,had,ifanything,goneup,andhehaddonebetterwithhiscollectionsincetheWarbeganthanever
before.Air-raids,also,hadactedbeneficiallyonaspiritcongenitallycautious,andhardenedacharacteralreadydogged.Tobeindangerofbeingentirelydispersedinclinedonetobelessapprehensiveofthemorepartialdispersionsinvolvedinleviesandtaxation,whilethehabitofcondemningtheimpudenceoftheGermanshadlednaturallytocondemningthatofLabor,ifnotopenlyatleastinthesanctuaryofhissoul.
Hewalked.Therewas,moreover,timetospare,forFleurwastomeethimattheGalleryatfouro'clock,anditwasasyetbut
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halfpasttwo.Itwasgoodforhimtowalk--hisliverwasalittleconstrictedandhisnervesratheronedge.HiswifewasalwaysoutwhenshewasinTown,andhisdaughterWOULDflibberty-gibbetallovertheplacelikemostyoungwomensincetheWar.Still,hemustbethankfulthatshehadbeentooyoungtodoanythinginthatWaritself.Not,ofcourse,thathehadnotsupportedtheWarfromitsinception,withallhissoul,butbetweenthatandsupportingitwiththebodiesofhiswifeanddaughter,therehadbeenagapfixedbysomethingold-fashionedwithinhimwhichabhorredemotionalextravagance.Hehad,forinstance,stronglyobjectedtoAnnette,soattractive,andin1914onlythirty-five,goingtohernativeFrance,her"cherepatrie"as,underthestimulusofwar,shehadbeguntocallit,tonurseher"bravespoilus,"forsooth!Ruiningherhealthandherlooks!Asifshewerereallyanurse!Hehadputastopperonit.Letherdoneedleworkforthemathome,orknit!Shehadnotgone,therefore,andhadneverbeenquitethesamewomansince.Abadtendencyofherstomockathim,notopenly,butincontinuallittleways,hadgrown.AsforFleur,theWarhadresolvedthevexedproblemwhetherornotsheshouldgotoschool.Shewasbetterawayfromhermotherinherwarmood,fromthechanceofair-raids,andtheimpetustodoextravagantthings;sohehadplacedherinaseminaryasfarWestashadseemedtohimcompatiblewithexcellence,andhadmissedherhorribly.Fleur!He
hadneverregrettedthesomewhatoutlandishnamebywhichatherbirthhehaddecidedsosuddenlytocallher--markedconcessionthoughithadbeentotheFrench.Fleur!Aprettyname--aprettychild!Butrestless--toorestless;andwilful!Knowingherpowertoooverherfather!Soamesoftenreflectedonthemistakeitwastodoteonhisdaughter.Togetoldanddote!Sixty-five!Hewasgettingon;buthedidn'tfeelit,for,fortunatelyperhaps,consideringAnnette'syouthandgoodlooks,hissecondmarriagehadturnedoutacoolaffair.Hehadknownbutonerealpassioninhislife--forthatfirstwifeofhis--Irene.Yes,andthatfellow,hisCousinJolyon,whohadgoneoffwithher,waslookingveryshaky,theysaid.Nowonder,atseventy-two,aftertwentyyearsofathirdmarriage!
SoamespausedamomentinhismarchtoleanovertherailingsoftheRow.Asuitablespotforreminiscence,half-waybetweenthathouseinParkLanewhichhadseenhisbirthandhisparents'deaths,andthelittlehouseinMontpellierSquarewherethirty-fiveyearsagohehadenjoyedhisfirsteditionofmatrimony.Now,aftertwentyyearsofhissecondedition,thatoldtragedyseemedtohimlikeapreviousexistence--whichhadendedwhenFleurwasborninplaceofthesonhehadhopedfor.Formanyyearshehadceasedregretting,evenvaguely,thesonwhohadnotbeenborn;Fleurfilledthebillinhisheart.Afterall,sheborehisname;andhewasnotlookingforwardatalltothetimewhenshewouldchangeit.Indeed,ifheeverthoughtofsuchacalamity,itwas
seasonedbythevaguefeelingthathecouldmakeherrichenoughtopurchaseperhapsandextinguishthenameofthefellowwhomarriedher--whynot,since,asitseemed,womenwereequaltomennowadays?AndSoames,secretlyconvincedthattheywerenot,passedhiscurvedhandoverhisfacevigorously,tillitreachedthecomfortofhischin.Thankstoabstemioushabits,hehadnotgrownfatandflabby;hisnosewaspaleandthin,hisgreymoustacheclose-clipped,hiseyesightunimpaired.Aslightstoopclosenedandcorrectedtheexpansiongiventohisfacebytheheighteningofhisforeheadintherecessionofhisgreyhair.
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LittlechangehadTimewroughtinthe"warmest"oftheyoungForsytes,asthelastoftheoldForsytes--Timothy--nowinhishundredandfirstyear,wouldhavephrasedit.
Theshadefromtheplane-treesfellonhisneatHomburghat;hehadgivenuptophats--itwasnouseattractingattentiontowealthindayslikethese.Plane-trees!HisthoughtstravelledsharplytoMadrid--theEasterbeforetheWar,when,havingtomakeuphismindaboutthatGoyapicture,hehadtakenavoyageofdiscoverytostudythepainteronhisspot.Thefellowhadimpressedhim--greatrange,realgenius!Highlyasthechapranked,hewouldrankevenhigherbeforetheyhadfinishedwithhim.ThesecondGoyacrazewouldbegreatereventhanthefirst;oh,yes!Andhehadbought.Onthatvisithehad--asneverbefore--commissionedacopyofafrescopaintingcalled"LaVendimia,"whereinwasthefigureofagirlwithanarmakimbo,whohadremindedhimofhisdaughter.HehaditnowintheGalleryatMapledurham,andratherpooritwas--youcouldn'tcopyGoya.Hewouldstilllookatit,however,ifhisdaughterwerenotthere,forthesakeofsomethingirresistiblyreminiscentinthelight,erectbalanceofthefigure,thewidthbetweenthearchingeyebrows,theeagerdreamingofthedarkeyes.CuriousthatFleurshouldhavedarkeyes,whenhisownweregrey--nopureForsytehadbrowneyes--andhermother'sblue!Butofcoursehergrandmother
Lamotte'seyesweredarkastreacle!
HebegantowalkonagaintowardsHydeParkCorner.NogreaterchangeinallEnglandthanintheRow!Bornalmostwithinhailofit,hecouldrememberitfrom1860on.Broughtthereasachildbetweenthecrinolinestostareattight-trousereddandiesinwhiskers,ridingwithacavalryseat;towatchthedoffingofcurly-brimmedandwhitetophats;theleisurelyairofitall,andthelittlebow-leggedmaninalongredwaistcoatwhousedtocomeamongthefashionwithdogsonseveralstrings,andtrytosellonetohismother:KingCharlesspaniels,Italiangreyhounds,affectionatetohercrinoline--youneversawthemnow.Yousawnoqualityofanysort,indeed,justworkingpeoplesittingindull
rowswithnothingtostareatbutafewyoungbouncingfemalesinpothats,ridingastride,ordesultoryColonialschargingupanddownondismal-lookinghacks;with,hereandthere,littlegirlsonponies,oroldgentlemenjoggingtheirlivers,oranorderlytryingagreatgalumphingcavalryhorse;nothoroughbreds,nogrooms,nobowing,noscraping,nogossip--nothing;onlythetreesthesame--thetreesindifferenttothegenerationsanddeclensionsofmankind.AdemocraticEngland--dishevelled,hurried,noisy,andseeminglywithoutanapex.AndthatsomethingfastidiousinthesoulofSoamesturnedoverwithinhim.Goneforever,thecloseboroughofrankandpolish!Wealththerewas--oh,yes!wealth--hehimselfwasarichermanthanhisfatherhadeverbeen;butmanners,flavour,quality,allgone,engulfedinone
vast,ugly,shoulder-rubbing,petrol-smellingCheerio.Littlehalf-beatenpocketsofgentilityandcastelurkinghereandthere,dispersedandchetif,asAnnettewouldsay;butnothingeveragainfirmandcoherenttolookupto.Andintothisnewhurly-burlyofbadmannersandloosemoralshisdaughter--flowerofhislife--wasflung!AndwhenthoseLabourchapsgotpower--iftheyeverdid--theworstwasyettocome!
Hepassedoutunderthearchway,atlastnolonger--thankgoodness!--disfiguredbythegun-greyofitssearch-light.'They'd
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betterputasearch-lightontowherethey'reallgoing,'hethought,'andlightuptheirpreciousdemocracy!'AndhedirectedhisstepsalongtheClubfrontsofPiccadilly.GeorgeForsyte,ofcourse,wouldbesittinginthebaywindowoftheIseeum.Thechapwassobignowthathewastherenearlyallhistime,likesomeimmovable,sardonic,humorouseyenotingthedeclineofmenandthings.AndSoameshurried,everconstitutionallyuneasybeneathhiscousin'sglance.George,who,ashehadheard,hadwrittenalettersigned"Patriot"inthemiddleoftheWar,complainingoftheGovernment'shysteriaindockingtheoatsofrace-horses.Yes,therehewas,tall,ponderous,neat,clean-shaven,withhissmoothhair,hardlythinned,smelling,nodoubt,ofthebesthair-wash,andapinkpaperinhishand.Well,hedidn'tchange!AndforperhapsthefirsttimeinhislifeSoamesfeltakindofsympathytappinginhiswaistcoatforthatsardonickinsman.Withhisweight,hisperfectlypartedhair,andbull-likegaze,hewasaguaranteethattheoldorderwouldtakesomeshiftingyet.HesawGeorgemovethepinkpaperasifinvitinghimtoascend--thechapmustwanttoasksomethingabouthisproperty.ItwasstillunderSoames'scontrol;forintheadoptionofasleepingpartnershipatthatpainfulperiodtwentyyearsbackwhenhehaddivorcedIrene,SoameshadfoundhimselfalmostinsensiblyretainingcontrolofallpurelyForsyteaffairs.
Hesitatingforjustamoment,henoddedandwentin.Sincethedeathofhisbrother-in-lawMontagueDartie,inParis,whichnoonehadquiteknownwhattomakeof,exceptthatitwascertainlynotsuicide--theIseeumClubhadseemedmorerespectabletoSoames.George,too,heknew,hadsownthelastofhiswildoats,andwascommitteddefinitelytothejoysofthetable,eatingonlyoftheverybestsoastokeephisweightdown,andowning,ashesaid,"justoneortwooldscrewstogivemeaninterestinlife."Hejoinedhiscousin,therefore,inthebaywindowwithouttheembarrassingsenseofindiscretionhehadbeenusedtofeelupthere.Georgeputoutawell-kepthand.
"Haven'tseenyousincetheWar,"hesaid."How'syourwife?"
"Thanks,"saidSoamescoldly,"wellenough."
Somehiddenjestcurved,foramoment,George'sfleshyface,andgloatedfromhiseye.
"ThatBelgianchap,Profond,"hesaid,"isamemberherenow.He'sarumcustomer."
"Quite!"mutteredSoames."Whatdidyouwanttoseemeabout?"
"OldTimothy;hemightgooffthehooksatanymoment.Isupposehe'smadehisWill."
"Yes."
"Well,youorsomebodyoughttogivehimalookup--lastoftheoldlot;he'sahundred,youknow.Theysayhe'slikeamummy.Whereareyougoin'toputhim?Heoughttohaveapyramidbyrights."
Soamesshookhishead."Highgate,thefamilyvault."
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"Well,Isupposetheoldgirlswouldmisshim,ifhewasanywhereelse.Theysayhestilltakesaninterestinfood.Hemightlaston,youknow.Don'tweGETanythingfortheoldForsytes?Tenofthem--averageageeighty-eight--Iworkeditout.Thatoughttobeequaltotriplets."
"Isthatall?"saidSoames."Imustbegettingon."
'Youunsociabledevil,'George'seyesseemedtoanswer.
"Yes,that'sall:Lookhimupinhismausoleum--theoldchapmightwanttoprophesy."Thegrindiedontherichcurvesofhisface,andheadded:"Haven'tyouattorneysinventedawayyetofdodgingthisdamnedincometax?Ithitsthefixedinheritedincomeliketheverydeuce.Iusedtohavetwothousandfivehundredayear;nowI'vegotabeggarlyfifteenhundred,andthepriceoflivingdoubled."
"Ah!"murmuredSoames,"theturf'sindanger."
OverGeorge'sfacemovedagleamofsardonicself-defence.
"Well,"hesaid,"theybroughtmeuptodonothing,andhereIaminthesereandyellow,gettingpoorereveryday.TheseLabour
chapsmeantohavethelotbeforethey'vedone.Whatareyougoingtodoforalivingwhenitcomes?Ishallworkasix-hourdayteachingpoliticianshowtoseeajoke.Takemytip,Soames;gointoParliament,makesureofyourfourhundred--andemployme."
And,asSoamesretired,heresumedhisseatinthebaywindow.
SoamesmovedalongPiccadillydeepinreflectionsexcitedbyhiscousin'swords.Hehimselfhadalwaysbeenaworkerandasaver,Georgealwaysadroneandaspender;andyet,ifconfiscationoncebegan,itwashe--theworkerandthesaver--whowouldbelooted!Thatwasthenegationofallvirtue,theoverturningofallForsyteprinciples.Couldcivilisationbebuiltonanyother?He
didnotthinkso.Well,theywouldn'tconfiscatehispictures,fortheywouldn'tknowtheirworth.Butwhatwouldtheybeworth,ifthesemaniacsoncebegantomilkcapital?Adrugonthemarket.'Idon'tcareaboutmyself,'hethought;'Icouldliveonfivehundredayear,andneverknowthedifference,atmyage.'ButFleur!Thisfortune,sowiselyinvested,thesetreasuressocarefullychosenandamassed,wereallforher.Andifitshouldturnoutthathecouldn'tgiveorleavethemtoher--well,lifehadnomeaning,andwhatwastheuseofgoingintolookatthiscrazy,futuristicstuffwiththeviewofseeingwhetherithadanyfuture?
ArrivingattheGalleryoffCorkStreet,however,hepaidhis
shilling,pickedupacatalogue,andentered.Sometenpersonswereprowlinground.Soamestookstepsandcameonwhatlookedtohimlikealamp-postbentbycollisionwithamotoromnibus.Itwasadvancedsomethreepacesfromthewall,andwasdescribedinhiscatalogueas"Jupiter."Heexamineditwithcuriosity,havingrecentlyturnedsomeofhisattentiontosculpture.'Ifthat'sJupiter,'hethought,'IwonderwhatJuno'slike.'Andsuddenlyhesawher,opposite.Sheappearedtohimlikenothingsomuchasapumpwithtwohandles,lightlycladinsnow.Hewasstillgazingather,whentwooftheprowlershaltedonhisleft."Epatant!"he
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heardonesay.
"Jargon!"growledSoamestohimself.
Theother'sboyishvoicereplied:
"Missedit,oldbean;he'spullingyourleg.WhenJoveandJunocreatedhethem,hewassaying:'I'llseehowmuchthesefoolswillswallow.'Andthey'velappedupthelot."
"Youyoungduffer!Vospovitchisaninnovator.Don'tyouseethathe'sbroughtsatireintosculpture?Thefutureofplasticart,ofmusic,painting,andevenarchitecture,hassetinsatiric.Itwasboundto.Peoplearetired--thebottom'stumbledoutofsentiment."
"Well,I'mquiteequaltotakingalittleinterestinbeauty.IwasthroughtheWar.You'vedroppedyourhandkerchief,sir."
Soamessawahandkerchiefheldoutinfrontofhim.Hetookitwithsomenaturalsuspicion,andapproachedittohisnose.Ithadtherightscent--ofdistantEaudeCologne--andhisinitialsinacorner.Slightlyreassured,heraisedhiseyestotheyoungman'sface.Ithadratherfawn-likeears,alaughingmouth,withhalfa
toothbrushgrowingoutofitoneachside,andsmalllivelyeyes,aboveanormallydressedappearance.
"Thankyou,"hesaid;andmovedbyasortofirritation,added:"Gladtohearyoulikebeauty;that'srare,nowadays."
"Idoteonit,"saidtheyoungman;"butyouandIarethelastoftheoldguard,sir."
Soamessmiled.
"Ifyoureallycareforpictures,"hesaid,"here'smycard.IcanshowyousomequitegoodonesanySunday,ifyou'redowntheriver
andcaretolookin."
"Awfullyniceofyou,sir.I'lldropinlikeabird.Myname'sMont-Michael."Andhetookoffhishat.
Soames,alreadyregrettinghisimpulse,raisedhisownslightlyinresponse,withadownwardlookattheyoungman'scompanion,whohadapurpletie,dreadfullittleslug-likewhiskers,andascornfullook--asifhewereapoet!
Itwasthefirstindiscretionhehadcommittedforsolongthathewentandsatdowninanalcove.Whathadpossessedhimtogivehiscardtoaracketyyoungfellow,whowentaboutwithathinglike
that?AndFleur,alwaysatthebackofhisthoughts,startedoutlikeafilagreefigurefromaclockwhenthehourstrikes.Onthescreenoppositethealcovewasalargecanvaswithagreatmanysquaretomato-coloredblobsonit,andnothingelse,sofarasSoamescouldseefromwherehesat.Helookedathiscatalogue:"No.32--'TheFutureTown'--PaulPost."'Isupposethat'ssatirictoo,'hethought.'Whatathing!'Buthissecondimpulsewasmorecautious.Itdidnotdotocondemnhurriedly.Therehadbeenthosestripey,streakycreationsofMonet's,whichhadturnedoutsuchtrumps;andthenthestippledschool;andGauguin.Why,evensince
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thePost-Impressioniststherehadbeenoneortwopaintersnottobesneezedat.Duringthethirty-eightyearsofhisconnoisseur'slife,indeed,hehadmarkedsomany"movements,"seenthetidesoftasteandtechniquesoebbandflow,thattherewasreallynotellinganythingexceptthattherewasmoneytobemadeoutofeverychangeoffashion.Thistoomightquitewellbeacasewhereonemustsubdueprimordialinstinct,orlosethemarket.Hegotupandstoodbeforethepicture,tryinghardtoseeitwiththeeyesofotherpeople.Abovethetomatoblobswaswhathetooktobeasunset,tillsomeonepassingsaid:"He'sgottheairplaneswonderfully,don'tyouthink!"Belowthetomatoblobswasabandofwhitewithverticalblackstripes,towhichhecouldassignnomeaningwhatever,tillsomeoneelsecameby,murmuring:"Whatexpressionhegetswithhisforeground!"Expression?Ofwhat?Soameswentbacktohisseat.Thethingwas"rich,"ashisfatherwouldhavesaid,andhewouldn'tgiveadamnforit.Expression!Ah!theywereallExpressionistsnow,hehadheard,ontheContinent.Soitwascomingheretoo,wasit?Herememberedthefirstwaveofinfluenzain1887--or8--hatchedinChina,sotheysaid.Hewonderedwherethis--thisExpressionism--hadbeenhatched.Thethingwasaregulardisease!
Hehadbecomeconsciousofawomanandayouthstandingbetweenhimandthe"FutureTown."Theirbackswereturned;butvery
suddenlySoamesputhiscataloguebeforehisface,anddrawinghishatforward,gazedthroughtheslitbetween.Nomistakingthatback,elegantaseverthoughthehairabovehadgonegrey.Irene!Hisdivorcedwife--Irene!Andthis,nodoubt,washerson--bythatfellowJolyonForsyte--theirboy,sixmonthsolderthanhisowngirl!Andmumblingoverinhismindthebitterdaysofhisdivorce,herosetogetoutofsight,butquicklysatdownagain.Shehadturnedherheadtospeaktoherboy;herprofilewasstillsoyouthfulthatitmadehergreyhairseempowdery,asiffancy-dressed;andherlipsweresmilingasSoames,firstpossessorofthem,hadneverseenthemsmile.Grudginglyheadmittedherstillbeautiful,andinfigurealmostasyoungasever.Andhowthatboysmiledbackather!EmotionsqueezedSoames'heart.Thesight
infringedhissenseofjustice.Hegrudgedherthatboy'ssmile--itwentbeyondwhatFleurgavehim,anditwasundeserved.Theirsonmighthavebeenhisson;Fleurmighthavebeenherdaughter,ifshehadkeptstraight!Heloweredhiscatalogue.Ifshesawhim,allthebetter!Areminderofherconductinthepresenceofherson,whoprobablyknewnothingofit,wouldbeasalutarytouchfromthefingerofthatNemesiswhichsurelymustsoonorlatevisither!Then,half-consciousthatsuchathoughtwasextravagantforaForsyteofhisage,Soamestookouthiswatch.Pastfour!Fleurwaslate.ShehadgonetohisnieceImogenCardigan's,andtheretheywouldkeephersmokingcigarettesandgossiping,andthat.Heheardtheboylaugh,andsayeagerly:"Isay,Mum,isthisoneofAuntieJune'slameducks?"
"PaulPost--Ibelieveitis,darling."
ThewordproducedalittleshockinSoames;hehadneverheardheruseit.Andthenshesawhim.HiseyesmusthavehadinthemsomethingofGeorgeForsyte'ssardoniclook;forherglovedhandcrispedthefoldsofherfrock,hereyebrowsrose,herfacewentstony.Shemovedon.
"ItISacaution,"saidtheboy,catchingherarmagain.
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Soamesstaredafterthem.Thatboywasgood-looking,withaForsytechin,andeyesdeep-grey,deepin;butwithsomethingsunny,likeaglassofoldsherryspilledoverhim;hissmileperhaps,hishair.Betterthantheydeserved--thosetwo!Theypassedfromhisviewintothenextroom,andSoamescontinuedtoregardtheFutureTown,butsawitnot.Alittlesmilesnarleduphislips.Hewasdespisingthevehemenceofhisownfeelingsafteralltheseyears.Ghosts!Andyetasonegrewold--wasthereanythingbutwhatwasghost-likeleft?Yes,therewasFleur!Hefixedhiseyesontheentrance.Shewasdue;butshewouldkeephimwaiting,ofcourse!Andsuddenlyhebecameawareofasortofhumanbreeze--ashort,slightformcladinasea-greendjibbahwithametalbeltandafilletbindingunrulyred-goldhairallstreakedwithgrey.ShewastalkingtotheGalleryattendants,andsomethingfamiliarrivetedhisgaze--inhereyes,herchin,herhair,herspirit--somethingwhichsuggestedathinSkyeterrierjustbeforeitsdinner.SurelyJuneForsyte!HiscousinJune--andcomingstraighttohisrecess!Shesatdownbesidehim,deepinthought,tookoutatablet,andmadeapencilnote.Soamessatunmoving.Aconfoundedthingcousinship!"Disgusting!"heheardhermurmur;then,asifresentingthepresenceofanoverhearingstranger,shelookedathim.Theworsthadhappened.
"Soames!"
Soamesturnedhisheadaverylittle.
"HowareYOU?"hesaid."Haven'tseenyoufortwentyyears."
"No.WhatevermadeYOUcomehere?"
"Mysins,"saidSoames."Whatstuff!"
"Stuff?Oh,yes--ofcourse;ithasn'tARRIVEDyet."
"Itneverwill,"saidSoames;"itmustbemakingadeadloss."
"Ofcourseitis."
"Howd'youknow?"
"It'smyGallery."
Soamessniffedfromsheersurprise.
"Yours?Whatonearthmakesyourunashowlikethis?"
"_I_don'ttreatArtasifitweregrocery."
SoamespointedtotheFutureTown."Lookatthat!Who'sgoingtoliveinatownlikethat,orwithitonhiswalls?"
Junecontemplatedthepictureforamoment."It'savision,"shesaid.
"Thedeuce!"
Therewassilence,thenJunerose.'Crazy-lookingcreature!'hethought.
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"Well,"hesaid,"you'llfindyouryoungstepbrotherherewithawomanIusedtoknow.Ifyoutakemyadvice,you'llclosethisexhibition."
Junelookedbackathim."Oh!YouForsyte!"shesaid,andmovedon.Aboutherlight,fly-awayfigure,passingsosuddenlyaway,wasalookofdangerousdecisions.Forsyte!Ofcourse,hewasaForsyte!Andsowasshe!Butfromthetimewhen,asameregirl,shebroughtBosinneyintohislifetowreckit,hehadneverhititoffwithJune--andneverwould!Andhereshewas,unmarriedtothisday,owningaGallery!...AndsuddenlyitcametoSoameshowlittleheknewnowofhisownfamily.TheoldauntsatTimothy'shadbeendeadsomanyyears;therewasnoclearing-housefornews.WhathadtheyalldoneintheWar?YoungRoger'sboyhadbeenwounded,St.JohnHayman'ssecondsonkilled;youngNicholas'eldesthadgotanO.B.E.,orwhatevertheygavethem.Theyhadalljoinedupsomehow,hebelieved.ThatboyofJolyon'sandIrene's,hesupposed,hadbeentooyoung;hisowngeneration,ofcourse,tooold,thoughGilesHaymanhaddrivenacarfortheRedCross--andJesseHaymanbeenaspecialconstable--those"Dromios"hadalwaysbeenofasportingtype!Asforhimself,hehadgivenamotorambulance,readthepaperstillhewassickofthem,passedthroughmuchanxiety,investedinWarBonds,boughtnoclothes,
lostsevenpoundsinweight;hedidn'tknowwhatmorehecouldhavedoneathisage.Indeed,itstruckhimthatheandhisfamilyhadtakenthiswarverydifferentlytothataffairwiththeBoers,whichhadbeensupposedtotaxalltheresourcesoftheEmpire.Inthatoldwar,ofcourse,hisnephewValDartiehadbeenwounded,thatfellowJolyon'sfirstsonhaddiedofenteric,"theDromios"hadgoneoutonhorses,andJunehadbeenanurse;butallthathadseemedinthenatureofaportent,whileinTHISwareverybodyhaddone"theirbit,"sofarashecouldmakeout,asamatterofcourse.Itseemedtoshowthegrowthofsomethingorother--orperhapsthedeclineofsomethingelse.HadtheForsytesbecomelessindividual,ormoreImperial,orlessprovincial?OrwasitsimplythatonehatedGermans?...Whydidn'tFleurcome,sothat
hecouldgetaway?Hesawthosethreereturntogetherfromtheotherroomandpassbackalongthefarsideofthescreen.TheboywasstandingbeforetheJunonow.And,suddenly,ontheothersideofher,Soamessaw--hisdaughterwitheyebrowsraised,aswelltheymightbe.Hecouldseehereyesglintsidewaysattheboy,andtheboylookbackather.ThenIreneslippedherhandthroughhisarm,anddrewhimon.Soamessawhimglancinground,andFleurlookingafterthemasthethreewentout.
Avoicesaidcheerfully:"Bitthick,isn'tit,sir?"
Theyoungmanwhohadhandedhimhishandkerchiefwasagainpassing.Soamesnodded.
"Idon'tknowwhatwe'recomingto."
"Oh!That'sallright,sir,"answeredtheyoungmancheerfully;"theydon'teither."
Fleur'svoicesaid,preciselyasifhehadbeenkeepingherwaiting:
"Hallo,Father!Thereyouare!"
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Theyoungman,snatchingoffhishat,passedon.
"Well,"saidSoames,lookingherupanddown,"you'reapunctualsortofyoungwoman!"
Thistreasuredpossessionofhislifewasofmediumheightandcolor,withshort,dark-chestnuthair;herwide-apartbrowneyesweresetinwhitessoclearthattheyglintedwhentheymoved,andyetinreposewerealmostdreamyunderverywhite,black-lashedlids,heldovertheminasortofsuspense.Shehadacharmingprofile,andnothingofherfatherinherfacesaveadecidedchin.Awarethathisexpressionwassofteningashelookedather,SoamesfrownedtopreservetheunemotionalismpropertoaForsyte.Heknewshewasonlytooinclinedtotakeadvantageofhisweakness.
Slippingherhandunderhisarm,shesaid:
"Whowasthat?"
"Hepickedupmyhandkerchief.Wetalkedaboutthepictures."
"You'renotgoingtobuyTHAT,Father?"
"No,"saidSoamesgrimly;"northatJunoyou'vebeenlookingat."
Fleurdraggedathisarm."Oh!Let'sgo!It'saghastlyshow."
InthedoorwaytheypassedtheyoungmancalledMontandhispartner.ButSoameshadhungoutaboardmarked"Trespasserswillbeprosecuted,"andhebarelyacknowledgedtheyoungfellow'ssalute.
"Well,"hesaidinthestreet,"whomdidyoumeetatImogen's?"
"AuntWinifred,andthatMonsieurProfond."
"Oh!"mutteredSoames;"thatchap!Whatdoesyourauntseeinhim?"
"Idon'tknow.Helooksprettydeep--mothersaysshelikeshim."
Soamesgrunted.
"CousinValandhiswifewerethere,too."
"What!"saidSoames."IthoughttheywerebackinSouthAfrica."
"Oh,no!They'vesoldtheirfarm.CousinValisgoingtotrain
race-horsesontheSussexDowns.They'vegotajollyoldmanor-house;theyaskedmedownthere."
Soamescoughed:thenewswasdistastefultohim."What'shiswifelikenow?"
"Veryquiet,butnice,Ithink."
Soamescoughedagain."He'saracketychap,yourcousinVal."
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"Oh!no,Father;they'reawfullydevoted.Ipromisedtogo--SaturdaytoWednesdaynext."
"Trainingrace-horses!"saidSoames.Itwasbadenough,butnotthereasonforhisdistaste.Whythedeucecouldn'thisnephewhavestayedoutinSouthAfrica?Hisowndivorcehadbeenbadenough,withouthisnephew'smarriagetothedaughteroftheco-respondent;ahalf-sistertooofJune,andofthatboywhomFleurhadjustbeenlookingatfromunderthepump-handle.Ifhedidn'tlookout,Fleurwouldcometoknowallaboutthatolddisgrace!Unpleasantthings!Theywereroundhimthisafternoonlikeaswarmofbees!
"Idon'tlikeit!"hesaid.
"Iwanttoseetherace-horses,"murmuredFleur;"andthey'vepromisedIshallride.CousinValcan'twalkmuch,youknow;buthecanrideperfectly.He'sgoingtoshowmetheirgallops."
"Racing!"saidSoames."It'sapitytheWardidn'tknockthatonthehead.He'stakingafterhisfather,I'mafraid."
"Idon'tknowanythingabouthisfather."
"No,"saidSoamesgrimly."HetookaninterestinhorsesandbrokehisneckinParis,walkingdown-stairs.Goodriddanceforyouraunt."Hefrowned,recollectingtheinquiryintothosestairswhichhehadattendedinParissixyearsago,becauseMontagueDartiecouldnotattendithimself--perfectlynormalstairsinahousewheretheyplayedbaccarat.Eitherhiswinningsorthewayhehadcelebratedthemhadgonetohisbrother-in-law'shead.TheFrenchprocedurehadbeenveryloose;hehadhadalotoftroublewithit.
AsoundfromFleurdistractedhisattention."Look!ThepeoplewhowereintheGallerywithus."
"Whatpeople?"mutteredSoames,whoknewperfectlywell.
"Ithinkthatwoman'sbeautiful."
"Comeintothispastry-cook's,"saidSoamesabruptly,andtighteninghisgriponherarm,heturnedintoaconfectioner's.Itwas--forhim--asurprisingthingtodo,andhesaidratheranxiously:"Whatwillyouhave?"
"Oh!Idon'twantanything.Ihadacocktailandatremendouslunch."
"WeMUSThavesomethingnowwe'rehere,"mutteredSoames,keeping
holdofherarm.
"Twoteas,"hesaid;"andtwoofthosenougatthings."
Butnosoonerwashisbodyseatedthanhissoulsprangup.Thosethree--thosethreewerecomingin!HeheardIrenesaysomethingtoherboy,andhisanswer:
"Oh!no,Mum;thisplaceisallright.Mystunt."Andthethreesatdown.
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Atthatmoment,mostawkwardofhisexistence,crowdedwithghostsandshadowsfromhispast,inpresenceoftheonlytwowomenhehadeverloved--hisdivorcedwifeandhisdaughterbyhersuccessor--SoameswasnotsomuchafraidofTHEMasofhiscousinJune.Shemightmakeascene--shemightintroducethosetwochildren--shewascapableofanything.Hebittoohastilyatthenougat,anditstucktohisplate.Workingatitwithhisfinger,heglancedatFleur.Shewasmasticatingdreamily,buthereyeswereontheboy.TheForsyteinhimsaid:"Think,feel,andyou'redonefor!"Andhewiggledhisfingerdesperately.Plate!DidJolyonwearaplate?Didthatwomanwearaplate?Timehadbeenwhenhehadseenherwearingnothing!Thatwassomething,anyway,whichhadneverbeenstolenfromhim.Andsheknewit,thoughshemightsittherecalmandself-possessed,asifshehadneverbeenhiswife.AnacidhumorstirredinhisForsyteblood;asubtlepaindividedbyhair's-breadthfrompleasure.IfonlyJunedidnotsuddenlybringherhornetsabouthisears!Theboywastalking.
"Ofcourse,AuntieJune,"--sohecalledhishalf-sister"Auntie,"didhe?--well,shemustbefifty,ifshewasaday!--"it'sjollygoodofyoutoencouragethem.Only--hangitall!"Soamesstoleaglance.Irene'sstartledeyeswerebentwatchfullyonherboy.She--shehadthesedevotions--forBosinney--forthatboy'sfather--
forthisboy!HetouchedFleur'sarm,andsaid:
"Well,haveyouhadenough?"
"Onemore,Father,please."
Shewouldbesick!Hewenttothecountertopay.WhenheturnedroundagainhesawFleurstandingnearthedoor,holdingahandkerchiefwhichtheboyhadevidentlyjusthandedtoher.
"F.F.,"heheardhersay."FleurForsyte--it'smineallright.Thankyoueverso."
GoodGod!Shehadcaughtthetrickfromwhathe'dtoldherintheGallery--monkey!
"Forsyte?Why--that'smynametoo.Perhapswe'recousins."
"Really!Wemustbe.Therearen'tanyothers.IliveatMapledurham;wheredoyou?"
"RobinHill."
Questionandanswerhadbeensorapidthatallwasoverbeforehecouldliftafinger.HesawIrene'sfacealivewithstartledfeeling,gavetheslightestshakeofhishead,andslippedhisarm
throughFleur's.
"Comealong!"hesaid.
Shedidnotmove.
"Didn'tyouhear,Father?Isn'titqueer--ourname'sthesame.Arewecousins?"
"What'sthat?"hesaid."Forsyte?Distant,perhaps."
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"Myname'sJolyon,sir.Jon,forshort."
"Oh!Ah!"saidSoames."Yes.Distant.Howareyou?Verygoodofyou.Good-bye!"
Hemovedon.
"Thanksawfully,"Fleurwassaying."Aurevoir!"
"Aurevoir!"heheardtheboyreply.
II
FINEFLEURFORSYTE
Emergingfromthe"pastry-cook's,"Soames'firstimpulsewastoventhisnervesbysayingtohisdaughter:"Droppingyourhandkerchief!"towhichherreplymightwellbe:"Ipickedthatup
fromyou!"Hissecondimpulsethereforewastoletsleepingdogslie.Butshewouldsurelyquestionhim.Hegaveherasidelonglook,andfoundshewasgivinghimthesame.Shesaidsoftly:
"Whydon'tyoulikethosecousins,Father?"
Soamesliftedthecornerofhislip.
"Whatmadeyouthinkthat?"
"Celasevoit."
'Thatseesitself!'Whatawayofputtingit!
AftertwentyyearsofaFrenchwifeSoameshadstilllittlesympathywithherlanguage;atheatricalaffairandconnectedinhismindwithalltherefinementsofdomesticirony.
"How?"heasked.
"YouMUSTknowthem;andyoudidn'tmakeasign.Isawthemlookingatyou."
"I'veneverseentheboyinmylife,"repliedSoameswithperfecttruth.
"No;butyou'veseentheothers,dear."
Soamesgaveheranotherlook.Whathadshepickedup?HadherAuntWinifred,orImogen,orValDartieandhiswife,beentalking?Everybreathoftheoldscandalhadbeencarefullykeptfromherathome,andWinifredwarnedmanytimesthathewouldn'thaveawhisperofitreachherfortheworld.Sofarassheoughttoknow,hehadneverbeenmarriedbefore.Butherdarkeyes,whosesouthernglintandclearnessoftenalmostfrightenedhim,methiswithperfectinnocence.
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"Well,"hesaid,"yourgrandfatherandhisbrotherhadaquarrel.Thetwofamiliesdon'tknoweachother."
"Howromantic!"
'Now,whatdoesshemeanbythat?'hethought.Thewordwastohimextravagantanddangerous--itwasasifshehadsaid:"Howjolly!"
"Andthey'llcontinuenottoknoweachother,"headded,butinstantlyregrettedthechallengeinthosewords.Fleurwassmiling.Inthisage,whenyoungpeoplepridedthemselvesongoingtheirownwaysandpayingnoattentiontoanysortofdecentprejudice,hehadsaidtheverythingtoexciteherwilfulness.Then,recollectingtheexpressiononIrene'sface,hebreathedagain.
"Whatsortofaquarrel?"heheardFleursay.
"Aboutahouse.It'sancienthistoryforyou.Yourgrandfatherdiedthedayyouwereborn.Hewasninety."
"Ninety?AretheremanyForsytesbesidesthoseintheRedBook?"
"Idon'tknow,"saidSoames."They'realldispersednow.Theoldonesaredead,exceptTimothy."
Fleurclaspedherhands.
"Timothy?Isn'tthatdelicious?"
"Notatall,"saidSoames.Itoffendedhimthatsheshouldthink"Timothy"delicious--akindofinsulttohisbreed.Thisnewgenerationmockedatanythingsolidandtenacious."Yougoandseetheoldboy.Hemightwanttoprophesy."Ah!IfTimothycouldseethedisquietEnglandofhisgreatnephewsandgreatnieces,hewouldcertainlygivetongue.Andinvoluntarilyheglancedupatthe
Iseeum;yes--Georgewasstillinthewindow,withthesamepinkpaperinhishand.
"WhereisRobinHill,Father?"
RobinHill!RobinHill,roundwhichallthattragedyhadcentred!Whatdidshewanttoknowfor?
"InSurrey,"hemuttered;"notfarfromRichmond,Why?"
"Isthehousethere?"
"Whathouse?"
"Thattheyquarrelledabout."
"Yes.Butwhat'sallthattodowithyou?We'regoinghometo-morrow--you'dbetterbethinkingaboutyourfrocks."
"Blessyou!They'reallthoughtabout.Afamilyfeud?It'sliketheBible,orMarkTwain--awfullyexciting.WhatdidYOUdointhefeud,Father?"
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"Neveryoumind."
"Oh!ButifI'mtokeepitup?"
"Whosaidyouweretokeepitup?"
"You,darling."
"I?Isaidithadnothingtodowithyou."
"Justwhat_I_think,youknow;sothat'sallright."
Shewastoosharpforhim;FINE,asAnnettesometimescalledher.Nothingforitbuttodistractherattention.
"There'sabitofrosalinepointinhere,"hesaid,stoppingbeforeashop,"thatIthoughtyoumightlike."
Whenhehadpaidforitandtheyhadresumedtheirprogress,Fleursaid:
"Don'tyouthinkthatboy'smotheristhemostbeautifulwomanofherageyou'veeverseen?"
Soamesshivered.Uncanny,thewayshestucktoit!
"Idon'tknowthatInoticedher."
"Dear,Isawthecornerofyoureye."
"Youseeeverything--andagreatdealmore,itseemstome!"
"What'sherhusbandlike?Hemustbeyourfirstcousin,ifyourfatherswerebrothers."
"Dead,forallIknow,"saidSoames,withsuddenvehemence."Ihaven'tseenhimfortwentyyears."
"Whatwashe?"
"Apainter."
"That'squitejolly."
Thewords:"Ifyouwanttopleasemeyou'llputthosepeopleoutofyourhead,"sprangtoSoames'slips,buthechokedthemback--hemustNOTletherseehisfeelings.
"Heonceinsultedme,"hesaid.
Herquickeyesrestedonhisface.
"Isee!Youdidn'tavengeit,anditrankles.PoorFather!Youletmehaveago!"
Itwasreallylikelyinginthedarkwithamosquitohoveringabovehisface.SuchpertinacityinFleurwasnewtohim,and,astheyreachedthehotel,hesaidgrimly:
"Ididmybest.Andthat'senoughaboutthesepeople.I'mgoingup
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tilldinner."
"Ishallsithere."
Withapartinglookatherextendedinachair--alookhalf-resentful,half-adoring--Soamesmovedintotheliftandwastransportedtotheirsuiteonthefourthfloor.Hestoodbythewindowofthesitting-roomwhichgaveviewoverHydePark,anddrummedafingeronitspane.Hisfeelingswereconfused,tetchy,troubled.Thethrobofthatoldwound,scarredoverbyTimeandnewinterests,wasmingledwithdispleasureandanxiety,andaslightpaininhischestwherethatnougatstuffhaddisagreed.HadAnnettecomein?Notthatshewasanygoodtohiminsuchadifficulty.Whenevershehadquestionedhimabouthisfirstmarriage,hehadalwaysshutherup;sheknewnothingofit,savethatithadbeenthegreatpassionofhislife,andhismarriagewithherselfbutdomesticmakeshift.Shehadalwayskeptthegrudgeofthatuphersleeve,asitwere,anduseditcommercially.Helistened.Asound--thevaguemurmurofawoman'smovements--wascomingthroughthedoor.Shewasin.Hetapped.
"Who?"
"I,"saidSoames.
Shehadbeenchangingherfrock,andwasstillimperfectlyclothed;astrikingfigurebeforeherglass.Therewasacertainmagnificenceaboutherarms,shoulders,hair,whichhaddarkenedsincehefirstknewher,abouttheturnofherneck,thesilkinessofhergarments,herdark-lashed,grey-blueeyes--shewascertainlyashandsomeatfortyasshehadeverbeen.Afinepossession,anexcellenthousekeeper,asensibleandaffectionateenoughmother.Ifonlysheweren'talwayssofranklycynicalabouttherelationsbetweenthem!Soames,whohadnomorerealaffectionforherthanshehadforhim,sufferedfromakindofEnglishgrievance,inthatshehadneverdroppedeventhethinnestveilofsentimentovertheirpartnership.Likemostofhiscountrymenand
women,heheldtheviewthatmarriageshouldbebasedonmutuallove,butthatwhenfromamarriagelovehaddisappeared,orbeenfoundnevertohavereallyexisted--sothatitwasmanifestlynotbasedonlove--youmustnotadmitit.Thereitwas,andthelovewasnot--butthereyouwere,andmustcontinuetobe!Thusyouhaditbothways,andwerenottarredwithcynicism,realism,andimmorality,liketheFrench.Moreover,itwasnecessaryintheinterestsofpropriety.Heknewthatsheknewthattheybothknewtherewasnolovebetweenthem,buthestillexpectedhernottoadmitinwordsorconductsuchathing,andhecouldneverunderstandwhatshemeantwhenshetalkedofthehypocrisyoftheEnglish.Hesaid:
"Whomhaveyougotat'TheShelter'nextweek?"
Annettewentontouchingherlipsdelicatelywithsalve--healwayswishedshewouldn'tdothat.
"YoursisterWinifred,andtheCar-r-digans"--shetookupatinystickofblack--"andProsperProfond."
"ThatBelgianchap?Whyhim?"
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Annetteturnedhernecklazily,touchedoneeyelash,andsaid:
"HeamusesWinifred."
"IwantsomeonetoamuseFleur;she'srestive."
"R-restive?"repeatedAnnette."Isitthefirsttimeyouseethat,myfriend?Shewasbornr-restive,asyoucallit."
Wouldshenevergetthataffectedrolloutofherr's?
Hetouchedthedressshehadtakenoff,andasked:
"Whathaveyoubeendoing?"
Annettelookedathim,reflectedinherglass.Herjust-brightenedlipssmiled,ratherfull,ratherironical.
"Enjoyingmyself,"shesaid.
"Oh!"answeredSoamesglumly."Ribbandry,Isuppose."
Itwashiswordforallthatincomprehensiblerunninginandoutofshopsthatwomenwentinfor."HasFleurgothersummer
dresses?"
"Youdon'taskifIhavemine."
"Youdon'tcarewhetherIdoornot."
"Quiteright.Well,shehas;andIhavemine--terriblyexpensive."
"H'm!"saidSoames."WhatdoesthatchapProfonddoinEngland?"
Annetteraisedtheeyebrowsshehadjustfinished.
"Heyachts."
"Ah!"saidSoames;"he'sasleepychap."
"Sometimes,"answeredAnnette,andherfacehadasortofquietenjoyment."Butsometimesveryamusing."
"He'sgotatouchofthetar-brushabouthim."
Annettestretchedherself.
"Tar-brush?"shesaid;"whatisthat?HismotherwasArmenienne."
"That'sit,then,"mutteredSoames."Doesheknowanythingabout
pictures?"
"Heknowsabouteverything--amanoftheworld."
"Well,getsomeoneforFleur.Iwanttodistracther.She'sgoingoffonSaturdaytoValDartieandhiswife;Idon'tlikeit."
"Whynot?"
Sincethereasoncouldnotbeexplainedwithoutgoingintofamily
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history,Soamesmerelyanswered:
"Racketingabout.There'stoomuchofit."
"IlikethatlittleMrs.Val;sheisveryquietandclever."
"Iknownothingofherexcept--Thisthing'snew."AndSoamestookupacreationfromthebed.
Annettereceiveditfromhim.
"Wouldyouhookme?"shesaid.
Soameshooked.Glancingonceoverhershoulderintotheglass,hesawtheexpressiononherface,faintlyamused,faintlycontemptuous,asmuchastosay:'Thanks!Youwillneverlearn!'No,thankGod,hewasn'taFrenchman!Hefinishedwithajerk,andthewords:
"It'stoolowhere."Andhewenttothedoor,withthewishtogetawayfromherandgodowntoFleuragain.
Annettestayedapowder-puff,andsaidwithstartlingsuddenness:
"Quetuesgrossier!"
Heknewtheexpression--hehadreasonto.Thefirsttimeshehadusedithehadthoughtitmeant"Whatagroceryouare!"andhadnotknownwhethertoberelievedornotwhenbetterinformed.Heresentedtheword--hewasNOTcoarse!Ifhewascoarse,whatwasthatchapintheroombeyondhis,whomadethosehorriblenoisesinthemorningwhenheclearedhisthroat,orthosepeopleintheLoungewhothoughtitwell-bredtosaynothingbutwhatthewholeworldcouldhearatthetopoftheirvoices--quackinginanity!Coarse,becausehehadsaidherdresswaslow!Well,soitwas!Hewentoutwithoutreply.
ComingintotheLoungefromthefarend,heatoncesawFleurwherehehadlefther.Shesatwithcrossedknees,slowlybalancingafootinsilkstockingandgreyshoe,suresignthatshewasdreaming.Hereyesshowedittoo--theywentofflikethatsometimes.Andthen,inamoment,shewouldcometolife,andbeasquickandrestlessasamonkey.Andsheknewsomuch,soself-assured,andnotyetnineteen.Whatwasthatodiousword?Flapper!Dreadfulyoungcreatures--squealingandsquawkingandshowingtheirlegs!Theworstofthembaddreams,thebestofthempowderedangels!FleurwasNOTaflapper,NOToneofthoseslangy,ill-bredyoungfemales.Andyetshewasfrighteninglyself-willed,andfulloflife,anddeterminedtoenjoyit.Enjoy!ThewordbroughtnopuritanterrortoSoames;butitbroughttheterror
suitedtohistemperament.Hehadalwaysbeenafraidtoenjoyto-dayforfearhemightnotenjoyto-morrowsomuch.Anditwasterrifyingtofeelthathisdaughterwasdivestedofthatsafeguard.Theverywayshesatinthatchairshowedit--lostinherdream.Hehadneverbeenlostinadreamhimself--therewasnothingtobehadoutofit;andwhereshegotitfromhedidnotknow!CertainlynotfromAnnette!AndyetAnnette,asayounggirl,whenhewashangingabouther,hadoncehadaflowerylook.Well,shehadlostitnow!
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Fleurrosefromherchair--swiftly,restlessly,andflungherselfdownatawriting-table.Seizinginkandwriting-paper,shebegantowriteasifshehadnottimetobreathebeforeshegotherletterwritten.Andsuddenlyshesawhim.Theairofdesperateabsorptionvanished,shesmiled,wavedakiss,madeaprettyfaceasifshewerealittlepuzzledandalittlebored.
Ah!Shewas"fine"--"fine!"
III
ATROBINHILL
JolyonForsytehadspenthisboy'snineteenthbirthdayatRobinHill,quietlygoingintohisaffairs.Hedideverythingquietlynow,becausehisheartwasinapoorway,and,likeallhisfamily,hedislikedtheideaofdying.Hehadneverrealisedhowmuchtilloneday,twoyearsago,hehadgonetohisdoctoraboutcertainsymptoms,andbeentold:
"Atanymoment,onanyoverstrain."
Hehadtakenitwithasmile--thenaturalForsytereactionagainstanunpleasanttruth.Butwithanincreaseofsymptomsinthetrainonthewayhome,hehadrealisedtothefullthesentencehangingoverhim.ToleaveIrene,hisboy,hishome,hiswork--thoughhedidlittleenoughworknow!Toleavethemforunknowndarkness,fortheunimaginablestate,forsuchnothingnessthathewouldnotevenbeconsciousofwindstirringleavesabovehisgrave,norofthescentofearthandgrass.Ofsuchnothingnessthat,howeverhardhemighttrytoconceiveit,henevercould,andmuststillhoveronthehopethathemightseeagainthoseheloved!To
realisethiswastoendureverypoignantspiritualanguish.Beforehereachedhomethatday,hehaddeterminedtokeepitfromIrene.Hewouldhavetobemorecarefulthanmanhadeverbeen,fortheleastthingwouldgiveitawayandmakeheraswretchedashimself,almost.Hisdoctorhadpassedhimsoundinotherrespects,andseventywasnothingofanage--hewouldlastalongtimeyet,IFHECOULD!
Suchaconclusion,followedoutfornearlytwoyears,developstothefullthesubtlersideofcharacter.Naturallynotabrupt,exceptwhennervouslyexcited,Jolyonhadbecomecontrolincarnate.Thesadpatienceofoldpeoplewhocannotexertthemselveswasmaskedbyasmilewhichhislipspreservedevenin
private.Hedevisedcontinuallyallmannerofcovertoconcealhisenforcedlackofexertion.Mockinghimselfforsodoing,hecounterfeitedconversiontotheSimpleLife;gaveupwineandcigars,drankaspecialkindofcoffeewithnocoffeeinit.Inshort,hemadehimselfassafeasaForsyteinhisconditioncould,undertheroseofhismildirony.Securefromdiscovery,sincehiswifeandsonhadgoneuptoTown,hehadspentthefineMaydayquietlyarranginghispapers,thathemightdieto-morrowwithoutinconveniencinganyone,givinginfactafinalpolishtohisterrestrialstate.Havingdocketedandencloseditinhis
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father'soldChinesecabinet,heputthekeyintoanenvelope,wrotethewordsoutside:"KeyoftheChinesecabinet,whereinwillbefoundtheexactstateofme.J.F.,"andputitinhisbreast-pocket,whereitwouldbe,alwaysabouthim,incaseofaccident.Then,ringingfortea,hewentouttohaveitundertheoldoak-tree.
Allareundersentenceofdeath;Jolyon,whosesentencewasbutalittlemorepreciseandpressing,hadbecomesousedtoit,thathethoughthabitually,likeotherpeople,ofotherthings.Hethoughtofhissonnow.
Jonwasnineteenthatday,andJonhadcomeoflatetoadecision.EducatedneitheratEtonlikehisfather,noratHarrow,likehisdeadhalf-brother,butatoneofthoseestablishmentswhich,designedtoavoidtheevilandcontainthegoodofthePublicSchoolsystem,mayormaynotcontaintheevilandavoidthegood,JonhadleftinAprilperfectlyignorantofwhathewantedtobecome.TheWar,whichhadpromisedtogoonforever,hadendedjustashewasabouttojointhearmy,sixmonthsbeforehistime.Ithadtakenhimeversincetogetusedtotheideathathecouldnowchooseforhimself.Hehadheldwithhisfatherseveraldiscussions,fromwhich,underacheeryshowofbeingreadyforanything--except,ofcourse,theChurch,Army,Law,Stage,StockExchange,Medicine,Business,andEngineering--Jolyonhadgathered
ratherclearlythatJonwantedtogoinfornothing.Hehimselfhadfeltexactlylikethatatthesameage.Withhimthatpleasantvacuityhadsoonbeenendedbyanearlymarriage,anditsunhappyconsequences.ForcedtobecomeanunderwriteratLloyd'shehadregainedprosperitybeforehisartistictalenthadoutcropped.Buthaving--asthesimplesay--"learned"hisboytodrawpigsandotheranimals,heknewthatJonwouldneverbeapainter,andinclinedtotheconclusionthathisaversionfromeverythingelsemeantthathewasgoingtobeawriter.Holding,however,theviewthatexperiencewasnecessaryevenforthatprofession,thereseemedtoJolyonnothinginthemeantime,forJon,butUniversity,travel,andperhapstheeatingofdinnersfortheBar.Afterthatonewouldsee,ormoreprobablyonewouldnot.Infaceofthese
profferedallurements,however,Jonhadremainedundecided.
SuchdiscussionswithhissonhadconfirmedinJolyonadoubtwhethertheworldhadreallychanged.Peoplesaidthatitwasanewage.Withtheprofundityofonenottoolongforanyage,Jolyonperceivedthatunderslightlydifferentsurfaces,theerawaspreciselywhatithadbeen.Mankindwasstilldividedintotwospecies:Thefewwhohad"speculation"intheirsouls,andthemanywhohadnone,withabeltofhybridslikehimselfinthemiddle.Jonappearedtohavespeculation;itseemedtohisfatherabadlookout.
Withsomethingdeeper,therefore,thanhisusualsmile,hehad
heardtheboysay,afortnightago:"Ishouldliketotryfarming,Dad;ifitwon'tcostyoutoomuch.Itseemstobeabouttheonlysortoflifethatdoesn'thurtanybody;exceptart,andofcoursethat'soutofthequestionforme."
Jolyonsubduedhissmile,andanswered:
"Allright;youshallskipbacktowherewewereunderthefirstJolyonin1760.It'llprovethecycletheory,andincidentally,nodoubt,youmaygrowabetterturnipthanhedid."
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Alittledashed,Jonhadanswered:
"Butdon'tyouthinkit'sagoodscheme,Dad?"
"Twillserve,mydear;andifyoushouldreallytaketoit,you'lldomoregoodthanmostmen,whichislittleenough."
Tohimself,however,hehadsaid:"Buthewon'ttaketoit.Igivehimfouryears.Still,it'shealthy,andharmless."
AfterturningthematteroverandconsultingwithIrene,hewrotetohisdaughterMrs.ValDortie,askingiftheyknewofafarmernearthemontheDownswhowouldtakeJonasanapprentice.Holly'sanswerhadbeenenthusiastic.Therewasanexcellentmanquiteclose;sheandValwouldloveJontolivewiththem.
Theboywasduetogoto-morrow.
Sippingweakteawithlemoninit,Jolyongazedthroughtheleavesoftheoldoak-treeatthatviewwhichhadappearedtohimdesirableforthirty-twoyears.Thetreebeneathwhichhesatseemednotadayolder!Soyoung,thelittleleavesofbrownishgold;soold,thewhitey-grey-greenofitsthickroughtrunk,A
treeofmemories,whichwouldliveonhundredsofyearsyet,unlesssomebarbariancutitdown--wouldseeoldEnglandoutatthepacethingsweregoing!Herememberedanightthreeyearsbefore,when,lookingfromhiswindow,withhisarmcloseroundIrene,hehadwatchedaGermanaeroplanehovering,itseemed,rightovertheoldtree.NextdaytheyhadfoundabombholeinafieldonGage'sfarm.Thatwasbeforeheknewthathewasundersentenceofdeath.Hecouldalmosthavewishedthebombhadfinishedhim.Itwouldhavesavedalotofhangingabout,manyhoursofcoldfearinthepitofhisstomach.HehadcountedonlivingtothenormalForsyteageofeighty-fiveormore,whenIrenewouldbeseventy.Asitwas,shewouldmisshim.StilltherewasJon,moreimportantinherlifethanhimself;Jon,whoadored
hismother.
Underthattree,whereoldJolyon--waitingforIrenetocometohimacrossthelawn--hadbreathedhislast,Jolyonwondered,whimsically,whether,havingputeverythinginsuchperfectorder,hehadnotbetterclosehisowneyesanddriftaway.Therewassomethingundignifiedinparasiticallyclingingontotheeffortlesscloseofalifewhereinheregrettedtwothingsonly--thelongdivisionbetweenhisfatherandhimselfwhenhewasyoung,andthelatenessofhisunionwithIrene.
Fromwherehesathecouldseeaclusterofapple-treesinblossom.NothinginNaturemovedhimsomuchasfruit-treesin
blossom;andhisheartachedsuddenlybecausehemightneverseethemfloweragain.Spring!Decidedlynomanoughttohavetodiewhilehisheartwasstillyoungenoughtolovebeauty!Blackbirdssangrecklesslyintheshrubbery,swallowswereflyinghigh,theleavesabovehimglistened;andoverthefieldswaseveryimaginabletintofearlyfoliage,burnishedbythelevelsunlight,awaytowherethedistant'smoke-bush'bluewastrailedalongthehorizon.Irene'sflowersintheirnarrowbedshadstartlingindividualitythatevening,littledeepassertionsofgaylife.OnlyChineseandJapanesepainters,andperhapsLeonardo,had
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knownhowtogetthatstartlinglittleegointoeachpaintedflower,andbird,andbeast--theego,yetthesenseofspecies,theuniversalityoflifeaswell.Theywerethefellows!'I'vemadenothingthatwilllive!'thoughtJolyon;'I'vebeenanamateur--amerelover,notacreator.Still,IshallleaveJonbehindmewhenIgo.'Whatluckthattheboyhadnotbeencaughtbythatghastlywar!Hemightsoeasilyhavebeenkilled,likepoorJollytwentyyearsagooutintheTransvaal.Jonwoulddosomethingsomeday--iftheAgedidn'tspoilhim--animaginativechap!Hiswhimtotakeupfarmingwasbutabitofsentiment,andaboutaslikelytolast.Andjustthenhesawthemcomingupthefield:Ireneandtheboy,walkingfromthestation,withtheirarmslinked.And,gettingup,hestrolleddownthroughthenewrosegardentomeetthem....
Irenecameintohisroomthatnightandsatdownbythewindow.Shesattherewithoutspeakingtillhesaid:
"Whatisit,mylove?"
"Wehadanencounterto-day."
"Withwhom?"
"Soames."
Soames!Hehadkeptthatnameoutofhisthoughtstheselasttwoyears;consciousthatitwasbadforhim.And,now,hisheartmovedinadisconcertingmanner,asifithadside-slippedwithinhischest.
Irenewentonquietly:
"HeandhisdaughterwereintheGallery,andafterwardsattheconfectioner'swherewehadtea."
Jolyonwentoverandputhishandonhershoulder.
"Howdidhelook?"
"Grey;butotherwisemuchthesame."
"Andthedaughter?"
"Pretty.Atleast,Jonthoughtso."
Jolyon'sheartside-slippedagain.Hiswife'sfacehadastrainedandpuzzledlook.
"Youdidn't--?"hebegan.
"No;butJonknowstheirname.Thegirldroppedherhandkerchiefandhepickeditup."
Jolyonsatdownonhisbed.Anevilchance!
"Junewaswithyou.Didsheputherfootintoit?"
"No;butitwasallveryqueerandstrained,andJoncouldseeitwas."
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Jolyondrewalongbreath,andsaid:
"I'veoftenwonderedwhetherwe'vebeenrighttokeepitfromhim.He'llfindoutsomeday."
"Thelaterthebetter,Jolyon;theyounghavesuchcheap,hardjudgment.WhenyouwerenineteenwhatwouldyouhavethoughtofYOURmotherifshehaddonewhatIhave?"Yes!Thereitwas!Jonworshippedhismother;andknewnothingofthetragedies,theinexorablenecessitiesoflife,nothingoftheprisonedgriefinanunhappymarriage,nothingofjealousy,orpassion--knewnothingatall,asyet!
"Whathaveyoutoldhim?"hesaidatlast.
"Thattheywererelations,butwedidn'tknowthem;thatyouhadnevercaredmuchforyourfamily,ortheyforyou.IexpecthewillbeaskingYOU."
Jolyonsmiled."Thispromisestotaketheplaceofair-raids,"hesaid."Afterall,onemissesthem."
Irenelookedupathim.
"We'veknownitwouldcomesomeday."
Heansweredherwithsuddenenergy:
"IcouldneverstandseeingJonblameyou.Heshan'tdothat,eveninthought.Hehasimagination;andhe'llunderstandifit'sputtohimproperly.IthinkIhadbettertellhimbeforehegetstoknowotherwise."
"Notyet,Jolyon."
Thatwaslikeher--shehadnoforesight,andneverwenttomeet
trouble.Still--whoknew?--shemightberight.Itwasillgoingagainstamother'sinstinct.Itmightbewelltolettheboygoon,ifpossible,tillexperiencehadgivenhimsometouchstonebywhichhecouldjudgethevaluesofthatoldtragedy;tilllove,jealousy,longing,haddeepenedhischarity.Allthesame,onemusttakeprecautions--everyprecautionpossible!And,longafterIrenehadlefthim,helayawaketurningoverthoseprecautions.HemustwritetoHolly,tellingherthatJonknewnothingasyetoffamilyhistory.Hollywasdiscreet,shewouldmakesureofherhusband,shewouldseetoit!Joncouldtaketheletterwithhimwhenhewentto-morrow.
Andsothedayonwhichhehadputthepolishonhismaterial
estatediedoutwiththechimingofthestableclock;andanotherbeganforJolyonintheshadowofaspiritualdisorderwhichcouldnotbesoroundedoffandpolished....
ButJon,whoseroomhadoncebeenhisdaynursery,layawaketoo,thepreyofasensationdisputedbythosewhohaveneverknownit,"loveatfirstsight!"HehadfeltitbeginninginhimwiththeglintofthosedarkeyesgazingintohisathwarttheJuno--aconvictionthatthiswashis'dream';sothatwhatfollowedhadseemedtohimatoncenaturalandmiraculous.Fleur!Hername
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alonewasalmostenoughforonewhowasterriblysusceptibletothecharmofwords.Inahomoeopathicage,whenboysandgirlswerecoeducated,andmixedupinearlylifetillsexwasalmostabolished,Jonwassingularlyold-fashioned.Hismodernschooltookboysonly,andhisholidayshadbeenspentatRobinHillwithboyfriends,orhisparentsalone.Hehadnever,therefore,beeninoculatedagainstthegermsoflovebysmalldosesofthepoison.Andnowinthedarkhistemperaturewasmountingfast.Helayawake,featuringFleur--astheycalledit--recallingherwords,especiallythat"Aurevoir!"sosoftandsprightly.
Hewasstillsowide-awakeatdawnthathegotup,slippedontennisshoes,trousers,andasweater,andinsilencecreptdown-stairsandoutthroughthestudywindow.Itwasjustlight;therewasasmellofgrass.'Fleur!'hethought;'Fleur!'Itwasmysteriouslywhiteout-of-doors,withnothingawakeexceptthebirdsjustbeginningtochirp.'I'llgodownintothecoppice,'hethought.Herandownthroughthefields,reachedthepondjustasthesunrose,andpassedintothecoppice.Bluebellscarpetedthegroundthere;amongthelarch-treestherewasmystery--theair,asitwere,composedofthatromanticquality.Jonsniffeditsfreshness,andstaredatthebluebellsinthesharpeninglight.Fleur!Itrhymedwithher!AndshelivedatMapledurham--ajollyname,too,ontheriversomewhere.Hecouldfinditintheatlas
presently.Hewouldwritetoher.Butwouldsheanswer?Oh!Shemust.Shehadsaid"Aurevoir!"Notgood-bye!Whatluckthatshehaddroppedherhandkerchief.Hewouldneverhaveknownherbutforthat.Andthemorehethoughtofthathandkerchief,themoreamazinghisluckseemed.Fleur!Itcertainlyrhymedwithher!Rhythmthrongedhishead;wordsjostledtobejoinedtogether;hewasonthevergeofapoem.
Jonremainedinthisconditionformorethanhalfanhour,thenreturnedtothehouse,andgettingaladder,climbedinathisbedroomwindowoutofsheerexhilaration.Then,rememberingthatthestudywindowwasopen,hewentdownandshutit,firstremovingtheladder,soastoobliteratealltracesofhis
feeling.Thethingwastoodeeptoberevealedtomortalsoul--eventohismother.
IV
THEMAUSOLEUM
TherearehouseswhosesoulshavepassedintothelimboofTime,
leavingtheirbodiesinthelimboofLondon.Suchwasnotquitetheconditionof"Timothy's"ontheBayswaterRoad,forTimothy'ssoulstillhadonefootinTimothyForsyte'sbody,andSmitherkepttheatmosphereunchanging,ofcamphorandportwineandhousewhosewindowsareonlyopenedtoairittwiceaday.
ToForsyteimaginationthathousewasnowasortofChinesepill-box,aseriesoflayersinthelastofwhichwasTimothy.Onedidnotreachhim,orsoitwasreportedbymembersofthefamilywho,outofold-timehabitorabsent-mindedness,woulddriveuponcein
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abluemoonandaskaftertheirsurvivinguncle.SuchwereFrancie,nowquiteemancipatedfromGod(shefranklyavowedatheism),Euphemia,emancipatedfromoldNicholas,andWinifredDartiefromher"manoftheworld."But,afterall,everybodywasemancipatednow,orsaidtheywere--perhapsnotquitethesamething!
WhenSoames,therefore,tookitonhiswaytoPaddingtonstationonthemorningafterthatencounter,itwashardlywiththeexpectationofseeingTimothyintheflesh.HisheartmadeafaintdemonstrationwithinhimwhilehestoodinfullsouthsunlightonthenewlywhiteneddoorstepofthatlittlehousewherefourForsyteshadoncelived,andnowbutonedweltonlikeawinterfly;thehouseintowhichSoameshadcomeandoutofwhichhehadgonetimeswithoutnumber,divestedof,orburdenedwith,fardelsoffamilygossip;thehouseofthe"oldpeople"ofanothercentury,anotherage.
ThesightofSmither--stillcorseteduptothearmpitsbecausethenewfashionwhichcameinastheyweregoingoutabout1903hadneverbeenconsidered"nice"byAuntsJuleyandHester--broughtapalefriendlinesstoSoames'slips;Smither,stillfaithfullyarrangedtooldpatternineverydetail,aninvaluableservant--nonesuchleft--smilingbackathim,withthewords:"Why!it's
Mr.Soames,afterallthistime!AndhowareYOU,sir?Mr.Timothywillbesopleasedtoknowyou'vebeen."
"Howishe?"
"Oh!hekeepsfairlybobbishforhisage,sir;butofcoursehe'sawonderfulman.AsIsaidtoMrs.Dartiewhenshewasherelast:ItWOULDpleaseMissForsyteandMrs.JuleyandMissHestertoseehowherelishesabakedapplestill.Buthe'squitedeaf.Andamercy,Ialwaysthink.Forwhatweshouldhavedonewithhimintheair-raids,Idon'tknow."
"Ah!"saidSoames."WhatDIDyoudowithhim?"
"Wejustlefthiminhisbed,andhadthebellrundownintothecellar,sothatCookandIcouldhearhimifherang.Itwouldneverhavedonetolethimknowtherewasawaron.AsIsaidtoCook,'IfMr.Timothyrings,theymaydowhattheylike--I'mgoingup.Mydearmistresseswouldhaveafitiftheycouldseehimringingandnobodygoingtohim.'Buthesleptthroughthemallbeautiful.Andtheoneinthedaytimehewashavinghisbath.ItWASamercy,becausehemighthavenoticedthepeopleinthestreetalllookingup--heoftenlooksoutofthewindow."
"Quite!"murmuredSoames.Smitherwasgettinggarrulous!"Ijustwanttolookroundandseeifthere'sanythingtobedone."
"Yes,sir.Idon'tthinkthere'sanythingexceptasmellofmiceinthedining-roomthatwedon'tknowhowtogetridof.It'sfunnytheyshouldbethere,andnotacrumb,sinceMr.Timothytooktonotcomingdown,justbeforethewar.Butthey'renastylittlethings;youneverknowwherethey'lltakeyounext."
"Doesheleavehisbed?"
"Oh!yes,sir;hetakesniceexercisebetweenhisbedandthe
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windowinthemorning,nottoriskachangeofair.Andhe'squitecomfortableinhimself;hashisWillouteverydayregular.It'sagreatconsolationtohim--that."
"Well,Smither,Iwanttoseehim,ifIcan;incasehehasanythingtosaytome."
Smithercolouredupabovehercorsets.
"ItWILLbeanoccasion!"shesaid."ShallItakeyouroundthehouse,sir,whileIsendCooktobreakittohim?"
"No,yougotohim,"saidSoames."Icangoroundthehousebymyself."
Onecouldnotconfesstosentimentbeforeanother,andSoamesfeltthathewasgoingtobesentimentalnosingroundthoseroomssosaturatedwiththepast.WhenSmither,creakingwithexcitement,hadlefthim,Soamesenteredthedining-roomandsniffed.Inhisopinionitwasn'tmice,butincipientwood-rot,andheexaminedthepanelling.Whetheritwasworthacoatofpaint,atTimothy'sage,hewasnotsure.Theroomhadalwaysbeenthemostmoderninthehouse;andonlyafaintsmilecurledSoames'slipsandnostrils.Wallsofarichgreensurmountedtheoakdado;aheavy
metalchandelierhungbyachainfromaceilingdividedbyimitationbeams.ThepictureshadbeenboughtbyTimothy,abargain,onedayatJobson'ssixtyyearsago--threeSnyder"stilllifes,"twofaintlycoloureddrawingsofaboyandagirl,rathercharming,whichboretheinitials"J.R."--TimothyhadalwaysbelievedtheymightturnouttobeJoshuaReynolds,butSoames,whoadmiredthem,haddiscoveredthattheywereonlyJohnRobinson;andadoubtfulMorlandofawhiteponybeingshod.Deep-redplushcurtains,tenhigh-backeddarkmahoganychairswithdeep-redplushseats,aTurkeycarpet,andamahoganydining-tableaslargeastheroomwassmall,suchwasanapartmentwhichSoamescouldrememberunchangedinsoulorbodysincehewasfouryearsold.Helookedespeciallyatthetwodrawings,andthought:
'Ishallbuythoseatthesale.'
Fromthedining-roomhepassedintoTimothy'sstudy.Hedidnotremembereverhavingbeeninthatroom.Itwaslinedfromfloortoceilingwithvolumes,andhelookedatthemwithcuriosity.Onewallseemeddevotedtoeducationalbooks,whichTimothy'sfirmhadpublishedtwogenerationsback--sometimesasmanyastwentycopiesofonebook.Soamesreadtheirtitlesandshuddered.Themiddlewallhadpreciselythesamebooksasusedtobeinthelibraryathisownfather'sinParkLane,fromwhichhededucedthefancythatJamesandhisyoungestbrotherhadgoneouttogetheronedayandboughtabraceofsmalllibraries.Thethirdwallheapproachedwithmoreexcitement.Here,surely,Timothy'sowntaste
wouldbefound.Itwas.Thebooksweredummies.Thefourthwallwasallheavilycurtainedwindow.Andturnedtowardsitwasalargechairwithamahoganyreading-standattached,onwhichayellowishandfoldedcopyofTheTimes,datedJuly6,1914,thedayTimothyfirstfailedtocomedown,asifinpreparationforthewar,seemedwaitingforhimstill.InacornerstoodalargeglobeofthatworldnevervisitedbyTimothy,deeplyconvincedoftheunrealityofeverythingbutEngland,andpermanentlyupsetbythesea,onwhichhehadbeenverysickoneSundayafternoonin1836,outofapleasureboatoffthepieratBrighton,withJuley
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andHester,SwithinandHattyChessman;allduetoSwithin,whowasalwaystakingthingsintohishead,andwho,thankgoodness,hadbeensicktoo.Soamesknewallaboutit,havingheardthetalefiftytimesatleastfromoneorotherofthem.Hewentuptotheglobe,andgaveitaspin;itemittedafaintcreakandmovedaboutaninch,bringingintohispurviewadaddy-long-legswhichhaddiedonitinlatitude44.
'Mausoleum!'hethought.'Georgewasright!'Andhewentoutandupthestairs.Onthehalflandinghestoppedbeforethecaseofstuffedhumming-birdswhichhaddelightedhischildhood.Theylookednotadayolder,suspendedonwiresabovepampas-grass.Ifthecasewereopenedthebirdswouldnotbegintohum,butthewholethingwouldcrumble,hesuspected.Itwouldn'tbeworthputtingthatintothesale!AndsuddenlyhewascaughtbyamemoryofAuntAnn--dearoldAuntAnn--holdinghimbythehandinfrontofthatcaseandsaying:"Look,Soamey!Aren'ttheybrightandpretty,dearlittlehumming-birds!"Soamesrememberedhisownanswer:"Theydon'thum,Auntie."Hemusthavebeensix,inablackvelveteensuitwithalight-bluecollar--herememberedthatsuitwell!AuntAnnwithherringlets,andherspiderykindhands,andhergraveoldaquilinesmile--afineoldlady,AuntAnn!Hemovedonuptothedrawing-roomdoor.Thereoneachsideofitwerethegroupsofminiatures.Thosehewouldcertainlybuyin!
Theminiaturesofhisfouraunts,oneofhisuncleSwithinadolescent,andoneofhisuncleNicholasasaboy.Theyhadallbeenpaintedbyayoungladyfriendofthefamilyatatime,1830,about,whenminiatureswereconsideredverygenteel,andlastingtoo,paintedastheywereonivory.Manyatimehadheheardthetaleofthatyounglady:"Verytalented,mydear;shehadquiteaweaknessforSwithin,andverysoonaftershewentintoaconsumptionanddied:solikeKeats--weoftenspokeofit."
Well,theretheywere!Ann,Juley,Hester,Susan--quiteasmallchild;Swithin,withsky-blueeyes,pinkcheeks,yellowcurls,whitewaistcoat--largeaslife;andNicholas,likeCupidwithaneyeonheaven.Nowhecametothinkofit,UncleNickhadalways
beenratherlikethat--awonderfulmantothelast.Yes,shemusthavehadtalent,andminiatureshadacertainback-wateredcachetoftheirown,littlesubjecttothecurrentsofcompetitiononaestheticChange.Soamesopenedthedrawing-roomdoor.Theroomwasdusted,thefurnitureuncovered,thecurtainsdrawnback,preciselyasifhisauntsstilldwelttherepatientlywaiting.Andathoughtcametohim:WhenTimothydied--whynot?Woulditnotbealmostadutytopreservethishouse--likeCarlyle's--andputupatablet,andshowit?"Specimenofmid-Victorianabode--entrance,oneshilling,withcatalogue."Afterall,itwasthecompletestthing,andperhapsthedeadestintheLondonofto-day.Perfectinitsspecialtasteandculture,if,thatis,hetookdownandcarriedovertohisowncollectionthefourBarbizon
pictureshehadgiventhem.Thestillsky-bluewalls,thegreencurtainspatternedwithredflowersandferns;thecrewel-workedfire-screenbeforethecast-irongrate;themahoganycupboardwithglasswindows,fulloflittleknick-knacks;thebeadedfootstools;Keats,Shelley,Southey,Cowper,Coleridge,Byron's"Corsair"(butnothingelse),andtheVictorianpoetsinabookshelfrow;themarqueteriecabinetlinedwithdimredplush,fulloffamilyrelics;Hester'sfirstfan;thebucklesoftheirmother'sfather'sshoes;threebottledscorpions;andoneveryyellowelephant'stusk,senthomefromIndiabyGreat-uncleEdgarForsyte,whohad
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beeninjute;ayellowbitofpaperproppedup,withspiderywritingonit,recordingGodknewwhat!Andthepicturescrowdingonthewalls--allwater-colourssavethosefourBarbizonslookingliketheforeignerstheywere,anddoubtfulcustomersatthat--picturesbrightandillustrative,"TellingtheBees,""HeyfortheFerry!"andtwointhestyleofFrith,allthimblerigandcrinolines,giventhembySwithin.Oh!many,manypicturesatwhichSoameshadgazedathousandtimesinsuperciliousfascination;amarvellouscollectionofbright,smoothgiltframes.
Andtheboudoir-grandpiano,beautifullydusted,hermeticallysealedasever;andAuntJuley'salbumofpressedseaweedonit.Andthegilt-leggedchairs,strongerthantheylooked.Andononesideofthefireplacethesofaofcrimsonsilk,whereAuntAnn,andafterherAuntJuley,hadbeenwonttosit,facingthelightandboltupright.Andontheothersideofthefiretheonereallyeasychair,backtothelight,forAuntHester.Soamesscreweduphiseyes;heseemedtoseethemsittingthere.Ah!andtheatmosphere--evennow,oftoomanystuffsandwashedlacecurtains,lavenderinbags,anddriedbee'swings.'No,'hethought,'there'snothinglikeitleft;itoughttobepreserved.'And,byGeorge,theymightlaughatit,butforastandardofgentlelifeneverdepartedfrom,forfastidiousnessofskinandeyeandnose
andfeeling,itbeatto-dayhollow--to-daywithitsTubesandcars,itsperpetualsmoking,itscross-legged,bare-neckedgirlsvisibleuptothekneesanddowntothewaistifyoutookthetrouble(agreeabletothesatyrwithineachForsytebuthardlyhisideaofalady),withtheirfeet,too,screwedroundthelegsoftheirchairswhiletheyate,andtheir"Solongs,"andtheir"OldBeans,"andtheirlaughter--girlswhogavehimtheshudderswheneverhethoughtofFleurincontactwiththem;andthehard-eyed,capable,olderwomenwhomanagedlifeandgavehimtheshudderstoo.No!hisoldaunts,iftheyneveropenedtheirminds,theireyes,orverymuchtheirwindows,atleasthadmanners,andastandard,andreverenceforpastandfuture.
Withratherachokyfeelingheclosedthedoorandwenttiptoeingup-stairs.Helookedinataplaceontheway:H'm!inperfectorderoftheeighties,withasortofyellowoilskinpaperonthewalls.Atthetopofthestairshehesitatedbetweenfourdoors.WhichofthemwasTimothy's?Andhelistened.Asoundasofachildslowlydraggingahobby-horseabout,cametohisears.ThatmustbeTimothy!Hetapped,andadoorwasopenedbySmitherveryredintheface.
Mr.Timothywastakinghiswalk,andshehadnotbeenabletogethimtoattend.IfMr.Soameswouldcomeintothebackroom,hecouldseehimthroughthedoor.
Soameswentintothebackroomandstoodwatching.
ThelastoftheoldForsyteswasonhisfeet,movingwiththemostimpressiveslowness,andanairofperfectconcentrationonhisownaffairs,backwardandforwardbetweenthefootofhisbedandthewindow,adistanceofsometwelvefeet.Thelowerpartofhissquareface,nolongerclean-shaven,wascoveredwithsnowybeardclippedasshortasitcouldbe,andhischinlookedasbroadashisbrowwherethehairwasalsoquitewhite,whilenoseandcheeksandbrowwereagoodyellow.Onehandheldastoutstick,
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andtheothergraspedtheskirtofhisJaegerdressing-gown,fromunderwhichcouldbeseenhisbed-sockedanklesandfeetthrustintoJaegerslippers.Theexpressiononhisfacewasthatofacrossedchild,intentonsomethingthathehasnotgot.Eachtimeheturnedhestumpedthestick,andthendraggedit,asiftoshowthathecoulddowithoutit.
"Hestilllooksstrong,"saidSoamesunderhisbreath.
"Oh!yes,sir.Youshouldseehimtakehisbath--it'swonderful;hedoesenjoyitso."
ThosequiteloudwordsgaveSoamesaninsight.Timothyhadresumedhisbabyhood.
"Doeshetakeanyinterestinthingsgenerally?"hesaid,alsoaloud.
"Oh!yes,sir;hisfoodandhisWill.It'squiteasighttoseehimturnitoverandover,nottoreadit,ofcourse;andeverynowandthenheasksthepriceofConsols,andIwriteitonaslateforhim--verylarge.Ofcourse,Ialwayswritethesame,whattheywerewhenhelasttooknotice,in1914.Wegotthedoctortoforbidhimtoreadthepaperwhenthewarbrokeout.Oh!
hedidtakeonaboutthatatfirst.Buthesooncameround,becauseheknewittiredhim;andhe'sawondertoconserveenergyasheusedtocallitwhenmydearmistresseswerealive,blesstheirhearts!Howhedidgoonatthemaboutthat;theywerealwayssoactive,ifyouremember,Mr.Soames."
"WhatwouldhappenifIweretogoin?"askedSoames."Wouldherememberme?ImadehisWill,youknow,afterMissHesterdiedin1907."
"Oh!that,sir,"repliedSmitherdoubtfully,"Icouldn'ttakeonmetosay.Ithinkhemight;hereallyisawonderfulmanforhisage."
Soamesmovedintothedoorway,and,waitingforTimothytoturn,saidinaloudvoice:"UncleTimothy!"
Timothytrailedbackhalf-way,andhalted.
"Eh?"hesaid.
"Soames,"criedSoamesatthetopofhisvoice,holdingouthishand,"SoamesForsyte!"
"No!"saidTimothy,andstumpinghisstickloudlyonthefloor,hecontinuedhiswalk.
"Itdoesn'tseemtowork,"saidSoames.
"No,sir,"repliedSmither,rathercrestfallen;"yousee,hehasn'tfinishedhiswalk.Italwayswasonethingatatimewithhim.Iexpecthe'llaskmethisafternoonifyoucameaboutthegas,andaprettyjobIshallhavetomakehimunderstand."
"Doyouthinkheoughttohaveamanabouthim?"
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Smitherheldupherhands."Aman!Oh!no.Cookandmecanmanageperfectly.Astrangemanaboutwouldsendhimcrazyinnotime.Andmymistresseswouldn'tliketheideaofamaninthehouse.Besides,we'resoproudofhim."
"Isupposethedoctorcomes?"
"Everymorning.Hemakesspecialtermsforsuchaquantity,andMr.Timothy'ssoused,hedoesn'ttakeabitofnotice,excepttoputouthistongue."
"Well,"saidSoames,turningaway,"it'srathersadandpainfultome."
"Oh!sir,"returnedSmitheranxiously,"youmustn'tthinkthat.Nowthathecan'tworryaboutthings,hequiteenjoyshislife,reallyhedoes.AsIsaytoCook,Mr.Timothyismoreofamanthanheeverwas.Yousee,whenhe'snotwalkin',ortakin'hisbath,he'seatin',andwhenhe'snoteatin',he'ssleepingandthereitis.Thereisn'tanacheoracareabouthimanywhere."
"Well,"saidSoames,"there'ssomethinginthat.I'llgodown.Bytheway,letmeseehisWill."
"Ishouldhavetotakemytimeaboutthat,sir;hekeepsitunderhispillow,andhe'dseeme,whilehe'sactive."
"Ionlywanttoknowifit'stheoneImade,"saidSoames;"youtakealookatitsdatesometime,andletmeknow."
"Yes,sir;butI'msureit'sthesame,becausemeandCookwitnessed,youremember,andthere'sournamesonitstill,andwe'veonlydoneitonce."
"Quite!"saidSoames.Hedidremember.SmitherandJanehadbeenproperwitnesses,havingbeenleftnothingintheWillthattheymighthavenointerestinTimothy'sdeath.Ithadbeen--hefully
admitted--analmostimproperprecaution,butTimothyhadwishedit,and,afterall,AuntHesterhadprovidedforthemamply.
"Verywell,"hesaid;"good-bye,Smither.Lookafterhim,andifheshouldsayanythingatanytime,putitdown,andletmeknow."
"Oh!yes,Mr.Soames;I'llbesuretodothat.It'sbeensuchapleasantchangetoseeyou.CookwillbequiteexcitedwhenItellher."
Soamesshookherhandandwentdown-stairs.Hestoodforfullytwominutesbythehat-standwhereonhehadhunghishatsomanytimes.'Soitallpasses,'hewasthinking;'passesandbegins
again.Pooroldchap!'Andhelistened,ifperchancethesoundofTimothytrailinghishobby-horsemightcomedownthewellofthestairs;orsomeghostofanoldfaceshowoverthebanisters,andanoldvoicesay:"Why,it'sdearSoames,andwewereonlysayingthatwehadn'tseenhimforaweek!"
Nothing--nothing!Justthescentofcamphor,anddust-motesinasunbeamthroughthefanlightoverthedoor.Thelittleoldhouse!Amausoleum!And,turningonhisheel,hewentout,andcaughthistrain.
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V
THENATIVEHEATH
"Hisfoot'suponhisnativeheath,Hisname's--ValDartie."
WithsomesuchfeelingdidValDartie,inthefortiethyearofhisage,setoutthatsameThursdaymorningveryearlyfromtheoldmanor-househehadtakenonthenorthsideoftheSussexDowns.HisdestinationwasNewmarket,andhehadnotbeentheresincetheautumnof1899,whenhestoleoverfromOxfordfortheCambridgeshire.Hepausedatthedoortogivehiswifeakiss,andputaflaskofportintohispocket.
"Don'tovertireyourleg,Val,anddon'tbettoomuch."
Withthepressureofherchestagainsthisown,andhereyes
lookingintohis,Valfeltbothlegandpocketsafe.Heshouldbemoderate;Hollywasalwaysright--shehadanaturalaptitude.Itdidnotseemsoremarkabletohim,perhaps,asitmighttoothers,that--halfDartieashewas--heshouldhavebeenperfectlyfaithfultohisyoungfirstcousinduringthetwentyyearssincehemarriedherromanticallyoutintheBoerWar;andfaithfulwithoutanyfeelingofsacrificeorboredom--shewassoquick,soslylyalwaysalittleinfrontofhismood.Beingfirstcousinstheyhaddecided,orratherHollyhad,tohavenochildren;and,thoughalittlesallower,shehadkeptherlooks,herslimness,andthecolourofherdarkhair.Valparticularlyadmiredthelifeofherownshecarriedon,besidescarryingonhis,andridingbettereveryyear.Shekeptuphermusic,shereadanawfullot--
novels,poetry,allsortsofstuff.OutontheirfarminCapeColonyshehadlookedafterallthe"nigger"babiesandwomeninamiraculousmanner.Shewas,infact,--clever;yetmadenofussaboutit,andhadno"side."Thoughnotremarkableforhumility,Valhadcometohavethefeelingthatshewashissuperior,andhedidnotgrudgeit--agreattribute.ItmightbenotedthatheneverlookedatHollywithoutherknowingofit,butthatshelookedathimsometimesunawares.
Hehaskissedherintheporchbecauseheshouldnotbedoingsoontheplatform,thoughshewasgoingtothestationwithhim,todrivethecarback.TannedandwrinkledbyColonialweatherandthewilesinseparablefromhorses,andhandicappedbytheleg
which,weakenedintheBoerWar,hadprobablysavedhislifeinthewarjustpast,Valwasstillmuchashehadbeeninthedaysofhiscourtship;hissmileaswideandcharming,hiseyelashes,ifanything,thickeranddarker,hiseyesscrewedupunderthem,asbrightagrey,hisfrecklesratherdeeper,hishairalittlegrizzledatthesides.HegavetheimpressionofonewhohaslivedactivelyWITHHORSESinasunnyclimate.
Twistingthecarsharproundatthegate,hesaid:
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"WhenisyoungJoncoming?"
"To-day."
"Isthereanythingyouwantforhim?IcouldbringitdownonSaturday."
"No;butyoumightcomebythesametrainasFleur--oneforty."
ValgavetheFordfullrein;hestilldrovelikeamaninanewcountryonbadroads,whorefusestocompromise,andexpectsheavenateveryhole.
"That'sayoungwomanwhoknowsherwayabout,"hesaid."Isay,hasitstruckyou?"
"Yes,"saidHolly.
"UncleSoamesandyourdad--bitawkward,isn'tit?"
"Shewon'tknow,andhewon'tknow,andnothingmustbesaid,ofcourse.It'sonlyforfivedays,Val."
"Stablesecret!Righto!"IfHollythoughtitsafe,itwas.
Glancingslylyroundathim,shesaid:"Didyounoticehowbeautifullysheaskedherself?"
"No!"
"Well,shedid.Whatdoyouthinkofher,Val?"
"Pretty,andclever;butshemightrunoutatanycornerifshegothermonkeyup,Ishouldsay."
"I'mwondering,"Hollymurmured,"whethersheisthemodernyoungwoman.Onefeelsatseacominghomeintoallthis."
"You?Yougetthehangofthingssoquick."
Hollyslidherhandintohiscoat-pocket.
"Youkeeponeintheknow,"saidVal,encouraged."WhatdoyouthinkofthatBelgianfellow,Profond?"
"Ithinkhe'srather'agooddevil.'"
Valgrinned.
"Heseemstomeaqueerfishforafriendofourfamily.Infact,ourfamilyisinprettyqueerwaters,withUncleSoamesmarryinga
Frenchwoman,andyourdadmarryingSoames'sfirst.Ourgrandfatherswouldhavehadfits!"
"Sowouldanybody's,mydear."
"Thiscar,"saidValsuddenly,"wantsrousing;shedoesn'tgetherhindlegsunderherup-hill.IshallhavetogiveherherheadontheslopeifI'mtocatchthattrain."
Therewasthatabouthorseswhichhadpreventedhimfromever
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reallysympathisingwithacar,andtherunningoftheFordunderhisguidance,comparedwithitsrunningunderthatofHolly,wasalwaysnoticeable.Hecaughtthetrain.
"Takecaregoinghome;she'llthrowyoudownifshecan.Good-bye,darling."
"Good-bye,"calledHolly,andkissedherhand.
Inthetrain,afterquarterofanhour'sindecisionbetweenthoughtsofHolly,hismorningpaper,thelookofthebrightday,andhisdimmemoryofNewmarket,Valplungedintotherecessesofasmallsquarebook,allnames,pedigrees,tap-roots,andnotesaboutthemakeandshapeofho