Elders and Betters Read Online Free PDF Page B

them.”
    â€œVery morbid,” murmured Bernard.
    Benjamin had lately retired from a government office, which had required his daily presence, and had moved nearer to his sisters, who desired his support. His sons had adopted the same occupation, a fact which caused Esmond to suffer, and Benjamin to smile to himself, and sometimes to suffer also, as he recalled his sons’ earlier hopes. Bernard worked with ambition and success, and Esmond in contempt for a task beneath him, and resentment that a conviction of ability did not command a price. The brothers lived together in rooms in London, always wishing that they were apart, but held from the change by Bernard’s lack of initiative, and Esmond’s leaning to the cheaper course. They took their holidays in brief and frequent spells, in order not to break their life at home. Esmond’s dislike of this life was extreme, and his father’s dislike of his part in it appeared to be on the same scale; but he did not dare to break away, and Benjamin contrived without word or look that he should not dare. It seemed that Benjamin must prefer his presence, and he had a feeling, both conventional and natural, for having his family about him.
    â€œIt may not be all giving on our side,” said Claribel.“We shall impose our own wills without knowing it. No one with any force of character avoids that.”
    â€œIt would not do to go through life alone,” said Jenney, mentioning the disadvantage that struck her as the worst.
    â€œI suppose we all do that,” said Reuben.
    â€œOh, in that sense,” said Esmond, irritably. “That does not need saying.”
    â€œBut I was proud to say it,” said his brother.
    â€œYou have a nice room on this floor, Reuben, underneath mine,” said Jenney.
    A relief spread over Reuben’s face.
    â€œCome upstairs and see the house,” said Bernard, rising and offering his arm.
    The brothers mounted the staircase, Bernard giving his support without seeming to know that he did so. Reuben no longer needed it, but would not repudiate his brother’s thought, or the effort of rising from his chair, which he did not underestimate; and found that the longer he followed this line, the more bound he was to it. Jenney welcomed protection for him, feeling simply that he was a creature dependent on it; Benjamin saw the matter as it was; Anna saw its surface; and Esmond was not concerned with it.
    â€œIt is a good thing those two are such good friends,” said Anna. “It would make a problem, if Bernard were sensitive about Reuben, or anything like that.”
    Jenney’s face showed her view of this idea, and Benjamin’s betrayed that his was the same. His reaction and Jenney’s often resembled each other.
    â€œI don’t think we feel embarrassed by people belonging to ourselves,” said Claribel. “Our relations form the natural background for the creatures that we are.”
    â€œAre you going to the other house to-morrow, Father?” said Anna, making no pretence of attending.
    â€œTo-night, my daughter. Your aunt will be expecting me. She must not do so in vain.”
    Benjamin’s voice accorded with his words. His feeling for his sisters was the strongest in his life, rooted in itsbackground and beginning. Their qualities appeared to him essential and natural; their troubles roused his pity, and helplessness in them found him a protector; their ease with him appealed to him more than any other experience. They did not know the man who was known to his children.
    â€œThere will be trouble and expense for us there,” said Anna.
    â€œWhy should there be expense?” said Benjamin. “Your aunts have their own incomes.”
    â€œWe can hardly breathe without paying for it,” said Esmond. “We cannot so much as eat and drink like the beasts of the field.”
    â€œThey have few other advantages,” said his father. “You