Mother and Son Read Online Free PDF Page A

cousin. It is a great test of personal quality to face rebuff of that kind without self-betrayal. I think we should estimate it at its worth.”
    â€œPettigrew has had such rebuffs himself,” said Alice, more audibly than she knew.
    â€œNo, Miss Alice,” said Mr. Pettigrew, smiling indulgently, “my upward path has been on the whole smooth. I hope the same will be true of your brothers.”
    â€œSo he sees us as on his level,” murmured Francis.
    â€œIt is true that our circumstances have something in common. But, to be serious for a moment, I think we should view such a person as we are discussing, with all respect and sympathy.”
    â€œI hardly think we do,” said Alice. “We admire success.”
    â€œWell, we have all had a modicum of that,” said Mr. Pettigrew, smiling again. “But success does not impose the same demand, or so I have found from my modest experience of it.”
    â€œIt makes a demand on other people,” said Adrian. “They have to be pleased by it, when it does nothing for them.”
    â€œYou and I will not put them to the test,” said Alice. “We shall be overshadowed by Francis. He will be an elder son, even though an impoverished one.”
    â€œAnd that means he can never really be impoverished.”
    â€œStay, Miss Alice. Are you condemning your cousin to perpetual bachelorhood?”
    â€œIt is his own resolve and choice,” said Francis. “All his feeling is given to his mother.”
    â€œBut in the nature of things that state of affairs must cease.”
    â€œHe has put it into words. And that is so rare that he must be believed. He will be faithful to her memory.”
    â€œYou cannot depend on it, Francis,” said Mr. Pettigrew, in troubled warning. “Many people misjudge the permanent effect of sorrow, and their capacity to live in the past. And it is not a course to be wished for them. For example, if I had followed it, Mrs. Pettigrew and I should have missed much happiness; and it is hard to see how it would have benefited those who had gone before.”
    â€œIt benefits those who are to come after,” said Alice. “In this case it is Francis. And Rosebud will have what he wants. He will think of Aunt Miranda as existing, and appreciating his faithfulness.”
    â€œBut would she appreciate it, Miss Alice? Would she not choose him to be happy and fulfilled in the normal way? If I were a mother—that is rather a feat of imagination, and I see you find it so—if I held any intimate relation to a younger person, I should wish to benefit him without exacting sacrifice to my memory. And I venture to think your aunt would feel as I do.”
    A sound of amusement confirmed this view as venturesome.
    â€œShe does nothing like anyone else,” said Alice.
    â€œAs the applicant for her post would probably concur,” said Mr. Pettigrew, smiling. “But I should hardly have judged from your cousin’s demeanour towards her that he was likely to be vowed to bachelorhood. Not that I suggest any especial feeling towards the person in question. The idea had not occurred to me; and it would involve discrepancies that do not concern us.”
    â€œPettigrew will go any length rather than refer to the companion as a lady,” murmured Alice.
    â€œAnd yet he refers to himself in the corresponding way,” said Francis.
    â€œWhat did you say, Miss Alice?”
    â€œNothing. Nothing that had any meaning.”
    â€œI caught my own name and the word, ‘companion’, and fail to see what connection there is between us.”
    His pupils yielded to mirth, as the question did not find them at a loss.
    â€œWell, we will resume our work. It was a mistake to interrupt it. I fear the blame is mine.”
    The remaining time passed without disturbance, and the tutor apportioned the tasks and took his leave. The pupils at once relaxed.
    â€œWhat is the meaning of