The Last and the First Read Online Free PDF Page B

woman of eighty-four with a small, alert, pallid face, small, penetrating eyes and an air of omniscience which had grown with its long exercise. Her Christian name had been chosen by a parent with more respect for the classics than knowledge of them; and she had accepted it and made it her own.
    Her surviving son might have resembled her, had not his lineaments been so overlaid by flesh that the likeness had vanished with them. His pendulous cheeks and chin, pale, globular eyes and almost pendulous frame arrested many a glance. At fifty he might have been any later age, but was seldom guessed to be his own. He had inherited money from a godfather, and gave his time to studying and adding to it, and to consulting his advisers to this end. Jocasta felt to him as her son, but had her own view of him as a man, and was in no danger of her namesake’s history.
    Her grand-children were of shorter and lighter build, with narrower features and livelier eyes, and a look of covert humour that was fostered by their life. Osbert’s features were set a little askew, and gave him an expression in accordance with himself. Erica alone attained to comeliness, and her uncle’s eyes recognised this as they rested on her.
    The three were the orphan children of an unsuccessful son of Jocasta’s, and made their home in her house in default of any other. She had educated Osbert and his sister, and articled Osbert to a firm of lawyers nearby, not disposed to afford him more than this, or to esteem him more for his enforced acceptance of it.
    â€œThe bell,” she said, in an incidental tone.
    Her grandson rose and rang it.
    â€œYou can take the ham, Hollander,” she said to the middle-aged manservant who answered it. “Your breakfast is late this morning.”
    â€œWe have not eaten or drunk to-day, ma’am,” said Hollander, in a tone without expression, as none was needed.
    â€œI said your breakfast was late. You need not repeat it in another form. When a staircase is being repaired you would expect to meet a difference.”
    â€œIt was by dint of an effort that your breakfast was served as usual, ma’am. The matter was urgent as danger might have supervened.”
    â€œI heard it had done so.”
    â€œYes, in the large house, ma’am. A housemaid fell on the broken wood and might have sustained injury if she had not saved herself,” said Hollander, his tone recognising her indebtedness to no one else. “As it is the doctor has been called.”
    â€œAnd has come and gone and will come again?”
    â€œWell, ma’am, he is in charge of the case.”
    â€œIt is not good news. It is most tiresome for Lady Heriot.”
    â€œHer vigour may not return in a moment, ma’am,” said Hollander, making no change of protagonist. “Owing to its already being used to its limit.”
    â€œI might go across and sympathise with Lady Heriot,”said Jocasta to her family. “We never seem to know them any better.”
    â€œThere is no question of return to duty, ma’am,” said Hollander, more insistently, as if his meaning had not been clear.
    â€œWell, you can take the ham. Some of the fat may have to be cut away.”
    â€œYes, ma’am, to put the edible portion at disposal,” said Hollander, standing with his eyes on it.
    â€œI suppose the carpenter has a meal before he goes?”
    â€œIt would be assumed, ma’am. If the saying is true, and appearances are deceitful,” said Hollander, leaving them with a faint smile on his lips.
    â€œAmy, are you still asleep?” said Jocasta, making no response in kind. “The trap will soon be here. I want to know if Miss Murdoch will be in this afternoon. I may be able to call. I have some questions to ask.”
    â€œOh, she will not, Grannie,” said Amy, no longer asleep. “She is very busy just now. There is a good deal to be done.”
    â€œShe will be free for tea.