The Mighty and Their Fall Read Online Free PDF Page B

sir,” said Cook, in a condoning manner.
    â€œYes. Where else was he to use them?”
    â€œHow I used mine!” said Hugo. “I could not have borne to be anywhere else.”
    â€œOnly some of us should have ears,” said Ainger, shaking out his leather.
    â€œIs the candlestick tarnishing already?” said Egbert.
    â€œYou need not touch on distinctions, Ainger,” said Cook. “There are states of life and we are called.”
    â€œâ€˜When Adam delved and Eve span,
Who was then the gentleman?’”
    murmured Ainger, with a hint of revolving on his heels.
    â€œAnd did you happen to be on the spot, then?”
    â€œNo, I have never heard there was a third. And anyhow it was not your humble servant.”
    â€œAinger, if it is a subject for lightness, it is time to withdraw. And do you think no one is present?”
    â€œI regret the withdrawal,” said Egbert. “I needed comfort and I have had it.”
    â€œSo have I,” said Lavinia. “People in trouble are easily grateful. It confirms that we are in it.”
    â€œWhat are you in?” said Selina, entering with her son.
    â€œIn a new position,” said Egbert.
    â€œYou make too much of it,” said Ninian. “Gossiping in here together! Why did you not go with the others?”
    â€œYou know we often stay behind,” said Lavinia. “Or you did know until today.”
    â€œThere is safety in numbers,” said Egbert. “Do we need the protection of the herd?”
    â€œYour place is with it. Do you see yourselves as people apart?”
    â€œAs apart from the children. That is how we are seen. It is what we are.”
    â€œYou need not magnify the gulf. You can prove the parable of the faggot, if you hold together. But you must not make my wife and me afraid of you. Not that she is afraid of much.”
    â€œDescribe her to us, Father,” said Lavinia.
    â€œOh, you will see her for yourselves. There is no need to hurry forward. She has not asked for a description of all of you.”
    â€œIt would have been rash,” said Hugo. “Perhaps something warned her.”
    â€œWhat are we to call her, Father?”
    â€œOh, it will be for her to say. I don’t know how she will see you. It may depend on yourselves.”
    â€œWhat would you like yourself, Ninian?” said his mother. “You must have thought of it.”
    â€œIf you will believe me, I had not. There will be timeto consider it. She will have enough of names. I have not deluged her with them.”
    â€œYou were wise,” said Egbert. “She has not Miss Starkie’s experience.”
    â€œShe will feel her own,” said Ninian, “if she is to be subjected to this.”
    â€œHow old is she, my son?” said Selina. “It is odd that I have not asked.”
    â€œNone of you can be accused of that kind of oddness. She is my age or a little older.”
    â€œSo there will be no children. Well, you will feel there are enough.”
    â€œYes, there is a full quiver. We do not need to add to it. Our life will be with each other.”
    â€œShe might like a child of her own,” said Egbert.
    â€œWhat do you know about
her
?” said Ninian.
    â€œNothing. And it seems we are not to know more.”
    â€œYou will know in time, as I have said. You hardly seemed so anxious for what was before you.”
    â€œThat does not mean we should have no idea what it is.”
    â€œYou will all be at your best with her?” said Ninian, in another tone. “I feel I keep having glimpses of another side.”
    â€œFew people can give a shock, without meeting those,” said Selina.
    â€œWell, I am not one of them. And there is a risk that it may be remembered.”
    â€œWell, do not forget that other people have memories.”
    â€œHow did you meet her, Father?” said Lavinia. “We can hardly speak of her without asking questions. And