Read Online Men and Wives by Ivy Compton-Burnett - Free Book Online Page B

by future generations. And I for one believe that he will be.”
    â€œAh, Jermyn, I have not been treating you with due respect. But, Jermyn, you will let an old friend say it? You must remember that to that position many are called, but few chosen.”
    â€œYes, that is so indeed,” said Jermyn, taken aback by this soundness.
    Dominic rose as if his message were delivered.
    â€œLady Haslam, I have appreciated an hour that has brought home to me that family peace and unity still exist, in a world that I must not misjudge because it is emptied of them for me. I thank you.”
    â€œNow, Spong, give a thought to us sometimes,” said Godfrey. “Come and spend a few hours at any moment, if you find your spirits sinking. We should take it as a kindness to us from you. We ask you to do us that kindness.”
    â€œSir Godfrey, I have already done it to you. Miss Griselda, I thank you for enough in thanking you for your presence. And, Matthew, I hope you did not misunderstand me in my attitude towards your work. I have the greatest reverence for the things of the intellect. But pride of intellect is a different thing, and leads into many stony ways. Thank you, Matthew, for your hospitality this afternoon.” Dominic’s manner recognised Matthew as the eldest son. “And, Jermyn, I hope some day to join you in your ramblings, and enrich my own notebook with the reflections that come to us in our communion with Nature. And, Gregory, my boy, if I may still call you a boy, I will say to you that it is a pleasure still to have a boy to say good-bye to.”
    He went to the door, his back somehow conveying a feeling that he had shown himself rather conversible for his situation.
    â€œDon’t be in a hurry, Spong; we will have the carriage in a minute,” said Godfrey.
    â€œI have yet to respond, Sir Godfrey,” said Dominic, turning mechanically, “to another offer of kindness. Mrs. Calkin prevailed upon me to spend an hour at her house, and the distance is too short for me to be dependent upon your consideration.”
    â€œWell, we will send the carriage to wait for you at her gate. Then we need not keep you at the moment, as her house is only half a mile away.”
    Dominic paused in a dazed manner, and passed from the house. When out of sight he steadied his gait, but imperceptibly, as if in deference to himself.
    Agatha Calkin came to her door to welcome him. “We have a great appreciation of your feeling you could come to us this afternoon. I hope you found it fitted in with your visit to the Haslams. You have been spending a little while with them, have you not?”
    â€œMrs. Calkin, I am moved by the willingness, nay, the eagerness, shown by my friends to bear with my company to-day. I was touched by your word, appreciation, as I came in.”
    â€œWell, come into the drawing-room and make yourself quite at home. My sisters are waiting for you, but I felt I must come and let you in myself.”
    â€œMrs. Calkin, I trust I shall not discover myself ungrateful.”
    â€œI hope you will. Gratitude is a strain at any time, and just now would surely be your end,” said Kate.
    â€œYou must expect us all to be grateful to you for not making yourself a burden,” said Geraldine. “I have always been the most! impossible burden at my times of stress, utterly unable to raise myself from the depths.”
    â€œMiss Dabis, it has no doubt been much for a woman’s strength.”
    â€œI have been saying that I felt I must go to the door to him myself,” said Agatha.
    Geraldine raised her eyebrows in perplexity over this advantage.
    â€œI feel sure you could do with a second cup of tea, Mr. Spong,” Agatha went on. “You will have to eat in the next few days by being taken unawares.” She paused at his side after taking him his cup. “I can feel so especially for you in your great loss. It is not so many years since I had to