to let by galsworthy, john, 1867-1933

8/14/2019 To Let by Galsworthy, John, 1867-1933

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AUTHOR'SNOTE

Withthisvolume,TheForsyteSaga--thatseriescomprising"The

ManofProperty,""IndianSummerofaForsyte"(fromthevolume"FiveTales"),"InChancery,"and"Awakening"--comestoanend.J.G.

CONTENTS

PARTI

I.ENCOUNTERII.FINEFLEURFORSYTE

III.ATROBINHILLIV.THEMAUSOLEUMV.THENATIVEHEATHVI.JONVII.FLEURVIII.IDYLLONGRASSIX.GOYAX.TRIOXI.DUETXII.CAPRICE

PARTII

I.MOTHERANDSONII.FATHERSANDDAUGHTERSIII.MEETINGSIV.INGREENSTREETV.PURELYFORSYTEAFFAIRSVI.SOAMES'PRIVATELIFEVII.JUNETAKESAHANDVIII.THEBITBETWEENTHETEETHIX.FATINTHEFIREX.DECISION


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XI.TIMOTHYPROPHESIES

PARTIII

I.OLDJOLYONWALKSII.CONFESSIONIII.IRENE!IV.SOAMESCOGITATESV.THEFIXEDIDEAVI.DESPERATEVII.EMBASSYVIII.THEDARKTUNEIX.UNDERTHEOAK-TREEX.FLEUR'SWEDDINGXI.THELASTOFTHEFORSYTES

PARTI

I

ENCOUNTER

SoamesForsyteemergedfromtheKnightsbridgeHotel,wherehewasstaying,intheafternoonofthe12thofMay,1920,withtheintentionofvisitingacollectionofpicturesinaGalleryoffCorkStreet,andlookingintotheFuture.Hewalked.SincetheWarhenevertookacabifhecouldhelpit.Theirdriverswere,inhisview,anuncivillot,though,nowthattheWarwasoverandsupplybeginningtoexceeddemandagain,gettingmorecivilinaccordancewiththecustomofhumannature.Still,hehadnotforgiventhem,deeplyidentifyingthemwithgloomymemoriesand,nowdimly,likeallmembersoftheirclass,withrevolution.The

considerableanxietyhehadpassedthroughduringtheWar,andthemoreconsiderableanxietyhehadsinceundergoneinthePeace,hadproducedpsychologicalconsequencesinatenaciousnature.Hehad,mentally,sofrequentlyexperiencedruin,thathehadceasedtobelieveinitsmaterialprobability.Payingawayfourthousandayearinincomeandsuper-tax,onecouldnotverywellbeworseoff!Afortuneofaquarterofamillion,encumberedonlybyawifeandonedaughter,andverydiverselyinvested,affordedsubstantialguaranteeevenagainstthat"wildcatnotion"--alevyoncapital.Andastoconfiscationofwarprofits,hewasentirelyinfavorofit,forhehadnone,and"servethebeggarsright!"Thepriceofpictures,moreover,had,ifanything,goneup,andhehaddonebetterwithhiscollectionsincetheWarbeganthanever

before.Air-raids,also,hadactedbeneficiallyonaspiritcongenitallycautious,andhardenedacharacteralreadydogged.Tobeindangerofbeingentirelydispersedinclinedonetobelessapprehensiveofthemorepartialdispersionsinvolvedinleviesandtaxation,whilethehabitofcondemningtheimpudenceoftheGermanshadlednaturallytocondemningthatofLabor,ifnotopenlyatleastinthesanctuaryofhissoul.

Hewalked.Therewas,moreover,timetospare,forFleurwastomeethimattheGalleryatfouro'clock,anditwasasyetbut


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halfpasttwo.Itwasgoodforhimtowalk--hisliverwasalittleconstrictedandhisnervesratheronedge.HiswifewasalwaysoutwhenshewasinTown,andhisdaughterWOULDflibberty-gibbetallovertheplacelikemostyoungwomensincetheWar.Still,hemustbethankfulthatshehadbeentooyoungtodoanythinginthatWaritself.Not,ofcourse,thathehadnotsupportedtheWarfromitsinception,withallhissoul,butbetweenthatandsupportingitwiththebodiesofhiswifeanddaughter,therehadbeenagapfixedbysomethingold-fashionedwithinhimwhichabhorredemotionalextravagance.Hehad,forinstance,stronglyobjectedtoAnnette,soattractive,andin1914onlythirty-five,goingtohernativeFrance,her"cherepatrie"as,underthestimulusofwar,shehadbeguntocallit,tonurseher"bravespoilus,"forsooth!Ruiningherhealthandherlooks!Asifshewerereallyanurse!Hehadputastopperonit.Letherdoneedleworkforthemathome,orknit!Shehadnotgone,therefore,andhadneverbeenquitethesamewomansince.Abadtendencyofherstomockathim,notopenly,butincontinuallittleways,hadgrown.AsforFleur,theWarhadresolvedthevexedproblemwhetherornotsheshouldgotoschool.Shewasbetterawayfromhermotherinherwarmood,fromthechanceofair-raids,andtheimpetustodoextravagantthings;sohehadplacedherinaseminaryasfarWestashadseemedtohimcompatiblewithexcellence,andhadmissedherhorribly.Fleur!He

hadneverregrettedthesomewhatoutlandishnamebywhichatherbirthhehaddecidedsosuddenlytocallher--markedconcessionthoughithadbeentotheFrench.Fleur!Aprettyname--aprettychild!Butrestless--toorestless;andwilful!Knowingherpowertoooverherfather!Soamesoftenreflectedonthemistakeitwastodoteonhisdaughter.Togetoldanddote!Sixty-five!Hewasgettingon;buthedidn'tfeelit,for,fortunatelyperhaps,consideringAnnette'syouthandgoodlooks,hissecondmarriagehadturnedoutacoolaffair.Hehadknownbutonerealpassioninhislife--forthatfirstwifeofhis--Irene.Yes,andthatfellow,hisCousinJolyon,whohadgoneoffwithher,waslookingveryshaky,theysaid.Nowonder,atseventy-two,aftertwentyyearsofathirdmarriage!

SoamespausedamomentinhismarchtoleanovertherailingsoftheRow.Asuitablespotforreminiscence,half-waybetweenthathouseinParkLanewhichhadseenhisbirthandhisparents'deaths,andthelittlehouseinMontpellierSquarewherethirty-fiveyearsagohehadenjoyedhisfirsteditionofmatrimony.Now,aftertwentyyearsofhissecondedition,thatoldtragedyseemedtohimlikeapreviousexistence--whichhadendedwhenFleurwasborninplaceofthesonhehadhopedfor.Formanyyearshehadceasedregretting,evenvaguely,thesonwhohadnotbeenborn;Fleurfilledthebillinhisheart.Afterall,sheborehisname;andhewasnotlookingforwardatalltothetimewhenshewouldchangeit.Indeed,ifheeverthoughtofsuchacalamity,itwas

seasonedbythevaguefeelingthathecouldmakeherrichenoughtopurchaseperhapsandextinguishthenameofthefellowwhomarriedher--whynot,since,asitseemed,womenwereequaltomennowadays?AndSoames,secretlyconvincedthattheywerenot,passedhiscurvedhandoverhisfacevigorously,tillitreachedthecomfortofhischin.Thankstoabstemioushabits,hehadnotgrownfatandflabby;hisnosewaspaleandthin,hisgreymoustacheclose-clipped,hiseyesightunimpaired.Aslightstoopclosenedandcorrectedtheexpansiongiventohisfacebytheheighteningofhisforeheadintherecessionofhisgreyhair.


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LittlechangehadTimewroughtinthe"warmest"oftheyoungForsytes,asthelastoftheoldForsytes--Timothy--nowinhishundredandfirstyear,wouldhavephrasedit.

Theshadefromtheplane-treesfellonhisneatHomburghat;hehadgivenuptophats--itwasnouseattractingattentiontowealthindayslikethese.Plane-trees!HisthoughtstravelledsharplytoMadrid--theEasterbeforetheWar,when,havingtomakeuphismindaboutthatGoyapicture,hehadtakenavoyageofdiscoverytostudythepainteronhisspot.Thefellowhadimpressedhim--greatrange,realgenius!Highlyasthechapranked,hewouldrankevenhigherbeforetheyhadfinishedwithhim.ThesecondGoyacrazewouldbegreatereventhanthefirst;oh,yes!Andhehadbought.Onthatvisithehad--asneverbefore--commissionedacopyofafrescopaintingcalled"LaVendimia,"whereinwasthefigureofagirlwithanarmakimbo,whohadremindedhimofhisdaughter.HehaditnowintheGalleryatMapledurham,andratherpooritwas--youcouldn'tcopyGoya.Hewouldstilllookatit,however,ifhisdaughterwerenotthere,forthesakeofsomethingirresistiblyreminiscentinthelight,erectbalanceofthefigure,thewidthbetweenthearchingeyebrows,theeagerdreamingofthedarkeyes.CuriousthatFleurshouldhavedarkeyes,whenhisownweregrey--nopureForsytehadbrowneyes--andhermother'sblue!Butofcoursehergrandmother

Lamotte'seyesweredarkastreacle!

HebegantowalkonagaintowardsHydeParkCorner.NogreaterchangeinallEnglandthanintheRow!Bornalmostwithinhailofit,hecouldrememberitfrom1860on.Broughtthereasachildbetweenthecrinolinestostareattight-trousereddandiesinwhiskers,ridingwithacavalryseat;towatchthedoffingofcurly-brimmedandwhitetophats;theleisurelyairofitall,andthelittlebow-leggedmaninalongredwaistcoatwhousedtocomeamongthefashionwithdogsonseveralstrings,andtrytosellonetohismother:KingCharlesspaniels,Italiangreyhounds,affectionatetohercrinoline--youneversawthemnow.Yousawnoqualityofanysort,indeed,justworkingpeoplesittingindull

rowswithnothingtostareatbutafewyoungbouncingfemalesinpothats,ridingastride,ordesultoryColonialschargingupanddownondismal-lookinghacks;with,hereandthere,littlegirlsonponies,oroldgentlemenjoggingtheirlivers,oranorderlytryingagreatgalumphingcavalryhorse;nothoroughbreds,nogrooms,nobowing,noscraping,nogossip--nothing;onlythetreesthesame--thetreesindifferenttothegenerationsanddeclensionsofmankind.AdemocraticEngland--dishevelled,hurried,noisy,andseeminglywithoutanapex.AndthatsomethingfastidiousinthesoulofSoamesturnedoverwithinhim.Goneforever,thecloseboroughofrankandpolish!Wealththerewas--oh,yes!wealth--hehimselfwasarichermanthanhisfatherhadeverbeen;butmanners,flavour,quality,allgone,engulfedinone

vast,ugly,shoulder-rubbing,petrol-smellingCheerio.Littlehalf-beatenpocketsofgentilityandcastelurkinghereandthere,dispersedandchetif,asAnnettewouldsay;butnothingeveragainfirmandcoherenttolookupto.Andintothisnewhurly-burlyofbadmannersandloosemoralshisdaughter--flowerofhislife--wasflung!AndwhenthoseLabourchapsgotpower--iftheyeverdid--theworstwasyettocome!

Hepassedoutunderthearchway,atlastnolonger--thankgoodness!--disfiguredbythegun-greyofitssearch-light.'They'd


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betterputasearch-lightontowherethey'reallgoing,'hethought,'andlightuptheirpreciousdemocracy!'AndhedirectedhisstepsalongtheClubfrontsofPiccadilly.GeorgeForsyte,ofcourse,wouldbesittinginthebaywindowoftheIseeum.Thechapwassobignowthathewastherenearlyallhistime,likesomeimmovable,sardonic,humorouseyenotingthedeclineofmenandthings.AndSoameshurried,everconstitutionallyuneasybeneathhiscousin'sglance.George,who,ashehadheard,hadwrittenalettersigned"Patriot"inthemiddleoftheWar,complainingoftheGovernment'shysteriaindockingtheoatsofrace-horses.Yes,therehewas,tall,ponderous,neat,clean-shaven,withhissmoothhair,hardlythinned,smelling,nodoubt,ofthebesthair-wash,andapinkpaperinhishand.Well,hedidn'tchange!AndforperhapsthefirsttimeinhislifeSoamesfeltakindofsympathytappinginhiswaistcoatforthatsardonickinsman.Withhisweight,hisperfectlypartedhair,andbull-likegaze,hewasaguaranteethattheoldorderwouldtakesomeshiftingyet.HesawGeorgemovethepinkpaperasifinvitinghimtoascend--thechapmustwanttoasksomethingabouthisproperty.ItwasstillunderSoames'scontrol;forintheadoptionofasleepingpartnershipatthatpainfulperiodtwentyyearsbackwhenhehaddivorcedIrene,SoameshadfoundhimselfalmostinsensiblyretainingcontrolofallpurelyForsyteaffairs.

Hesitatingforjustamoment,henoddedandwentin.Sincethedeathofhisbrother-in-lawMontagueDartie,inParis,whichnoonehadquiteknownwhattomakeof,exceptthatitwascertainlynotsuicide--theIseeumClubhadseemedmorerespectabletoSoames.George,too,heknew,hadsownthelastofhiswildoats,andwascommitteddefinitelytothejoysofthetable,eatingonlyoftheverybestsoastokeephisweightdown,andowning,ashesaid,"justoneortwooldscrewstogivemeaninterestinlife."Hejoinedhiscousin,therefore,inthebaywindowwithouttheembarrassingsenseofindiscretionhehadbeenusedtofeelupthere.Georgeputoutawell-kepthand.

"Haven'tseenyousincetheWar,"hesaid."How'syourwife?"

"Thanks,"saidSoamescoldly,"wellenough."

Somehiddenjestcurved,foramoment,George'sfleshyface,andgloatedfromhiseye.

"ThatBelgianchap,Profond,"hesaid,"isamemberherenow.He'sarumcustomer."

"Quite!"mutteredSoames."Whatdidyouwanttoseemeabout?"

"OldTimothy;hemightgooffthehooksatanymoment.Isupposehe'smadehisWill."

"Yes."

"Well,youorsomebodyoughttogivehimalookup--lastoftheoldlot;he'sahundred,youknow.Theysayhe'slikeamummy.Whereareyougoin'toputhim?Heoughttohaveapyramidbyrights."

Soamesshookhishead."Highgate,thefamilyvault."


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"Well,Isupposetheoldgirlswouldmisshim,ifhewasanywhereelse.Theysayhestilltakesaninterestinfood.Hemightlaston,youknow.Don'tweGETanythingfortheoldForsytes?Tenofthem--averageageeighty-eight--Iworkeditout.Thatoughttobeequaltotriplets."

"Isthatall?"saidSoames."Imustbegettingon."

'Youunsociabledevil,'George'seyesseemedtoanswer.

"Yes,that'sall:Lookhimupinhismausoleum--theoldchapmightwanttoprophesy."Thegrindiedontherichcurvesofhisface,andheadded:"Haven'tyouattorneysinventedawayyetofdodgingthisdamnedincometax?Ithitsthefixedinheritedincomeliketheverydeuce.Iusedtohavetwothousandfivehundredayear;nowI'vegotabeggarlyfifteenhundred,andthepriceoflivingdoubled."

"Ah!"murmuredSoames,"theturf'sindanger."

OverGeorge'sfacemovedagleamofsardonicself-defence.

"Well,"hesaid,"theybroughtmeuptodonothing,andhereIaminthesereandyellow,gettingpoorereveryday.TheseLabour

chapsmeantohavethelotbeforethey'vedone.Whatareyougoingtodoforalivingwhenitcomes?Ishallworkasix-hourdayteachingpoliticianshowtoseeajoke.Takemytip,Soames;gointoParliament,makesureofyourfourhundred--andemployme."

And,asSoamesretired,heresumedhisseatinthebaywindow.

SoamesmovedalongPiccadillydeepinreflectionsexcitedbyhiscousin'swords.Hehimselfhadalwaysbeenaworkerandasaver,Georgealwaysadroneandaspender;andyet,ifconfiscationoncebegan,itwashe--theworkerandthesaver--whowouldbelooted!Thatwasthenegationofallvirtue,theoverturningofallForsyteprinciples.Couldcivilisationbebuiltonanyother?He

didnotthinkso.Well,theywouldn'tconfiscatehispictures,fortheywouldn'tknowtheirworth.Butwhatwouldtheybeworth,ifthesemaniacsoncebegantomilkcapital?Adrugonthemarket.'Idon'tcareaboutmyself,'hethought;'Icouldliveonfivehundredayear,andneverknowthedifference,atmyage.'ButFleur!Thisfortune,sowiselyinvested,thesetreasuressocarefullychosenandamassed,wereallforher.Andifitshouldturnoutthathecouldn'tgiveorleavethemtoher--well,lifehadnomeaning,andwhatwastheuseofgoingintolookatthiscrazy,futuristicstuffwiththeviewofseeingwhetherithadanyfuture?

ArrivingattheGalleryoffCorkStreet,however,hepaidhis

shilling,pickedupacatalogue,andentered.Sometenpersonswereprowlinground.Soamestookstepsandcameonwhatlookedtohimlikealamp-postbentbycollisionwithamotoromnibus.Itwasadvancedsomethreepacesfromthewall,andwasdescribedinhiscatalogueas"Jupiter."Heexamineditwithcuriosity,havingrecentlyturnedsomeofhisattentiontosculpture.'Ifthat'sJupiter,'hethought,'IwonderwhatJuno'slike.'Andsuddenlyhesawher,opposite.Sheappearedtohimlikenothingsomuchasapumpwithtwohandles,lightlycladinsnow.Hewasstillgazingather,whentwooftheprowlershaltedonhisleft."Epatant!"he


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heardonesay.

"Jargon!"growledSoamestohimself.

Theother'sboyishvoicereplied:

"Missedit,oldbean;he'spullingyourleg.WhenJoveandJunocreatedhethem,hewassaying:'I'llseehowmuchthesefoolswillswallow.'Andthey'velappedupthelot."

"Youyoungduffer!Vospovitchisaninnovator.Don'tyouseethathe'sbroughtsatireintosculpture?Thefutureofplasticart,ofmusic,painting,andevenarchitecture,hassetinsatiric.Itwasboundto.Peoplearetired--thebottom'stumbledoutofsentiment."

"Well,I'mquiteequaltotakingalittleinterestinbeauty.IwasthroughtheWar.You'vedroppedyourhandkerchief,sir."

Soamessawahandkerchiefheldoutinfrontofhim.Hetookitwithsomenaturalsuspicion,andapproachedittohisnose.Ithadtherightscent--ofdistantEaudeCologne--andhisinitialsinacorner.Slightlyreassured,heraisedhiseyestotheyoungman'sface.Ithadratherfawn-likeears,alaughingmouth,withhalfa

toothbrushgrowingoutofitoneachside,andsmalllivelyeyes,aboveanormallydressedappearance.

"Thankyou,"hesaid;andmovedbyasortofirritation,added:"Gladtohearyoulikebeauty;that'srare,nowadays."

"Idoteonit,"saidtheyoungman;"butyouandIarethelastoftheoldguard,sir."

Soamessmiled.

"Ifyoureallycareforpictures,"hesaid,"here'smycard.IcanshowyousomequitegoodonesanySunday,ifyou'redowntheriver

andcaretolookin."

"Awfullyniceofyou,sir.I'lldropinlikeabird.Myname'sMont-Michael."Andhetookoffhishat.

Soames,alreadyregrettinghisimpulse,raisedhisownslightlyinresponse,withadownwardlookattheyoungman'scompanion,whohadapurpletie,dreadfullittleslug-likewhiskers,andascornfullook--asifhewereapoet!

Itwasthefirstindiscretionhehadcommittedforsolongthathewentandsatdowninanalcove.Whathadpossessedhimtogivehiscardtoaracketyyoungfellow,whowentaboutwithathinglike

that?AndFleur,alwaysatthebackofhisthoughts,startedoutlikeafilagreefigurefromaclockwhenthehourstrikes.Onthescreenoppositethealcovewasalargecanvaswithagreatmanysquaretomato-coloredblobsonit,andnothingelse,sofarasSoamescouldseefromwherehesat.Helookedathiscatalogue:"No.32--'TheFutureTown'--PaulPost."'Isupposethat'ssatirictoo,'hethought.'Whatathing!'Buthissecondimpulsewasmorecautious.Itdidnotdotocondemnhurriedly.Therehadbeenthosestripey,streakycreationsofMonet's,whichhadturnedoutsuchtrumps;andthenthestippledschool;andGauguin.Why,evensince


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thePost-Impressioniststherehadbeenoneortwopaintersnottobesneezedat.Duringthethirty-eightyearsofhisconnoisseur'slife,indeed,hehadmarkedsomany"movements,"seenthetidesoftasteandtechniquesoebbandflow,thattherewasreallynotellinganythingexceptthattherewasmoneytobemadeoutofeverychangeoffashion.Thistoomightquitewellbeacasewhereonemustsubdueprimordialinstinct,orlosethemarket.Hegotupandstoodbeforethepicture,tryinghardtoseeitwiththeeyesofotherpeople.Abovethetomatoblobswaswhathetooktobeasunset,tillsomeonepassingsaid:"He'sgottheairplaneswonderfully,don'tyouthink!"Belowthetomatoblobswasabandofwhitewithverticalblackstripes,towhichhecouldassignnomeaningwhatever,tillsomeoneelsecameby,murmuring:"Whatexpressionhegetswithhisforeground!"Expression?Ofwhat?Soameswentbacktohisseat.Thethingwas"rich,"ashisfatherwouldhavesaid,andhewouldn'tgiveadamnforit.Expression!Ah!theywereallExpressionistsnow,hehadheard,ontheContinent.Soitwascomingheretoo,wasit?Herememberedthefirstwaveofinfluenzain1887--or8--hatchedinChina,sotheysaid.Hewonderedwherethis--thisExpressionism--hadbeenhatched.Thethingwasaregulardisease!

Hehadbecomeconsciousofawomanandayouthstandingbetweenhimandthe"FutureTown."Theirbackswereturned;butvery

suddenlySoamesputhiscataloguebeforehisface,anddrawinghishatforward,gazedthroughtheslitbetween.Nomistakingthatback,elegantaseverthoughthehairabovehadgonegrey.Irene!Hisdivorcedwife--Irene!Andthis,nodoubt,washerson--bythatfellowJolyonForsyte--theirboy,sixmonthsolderthanhisowngirl!Andmumblingoverinhismindthebitterdaysofhisdivorce,herosetogetoutofsight,butquicklysatdownagain.Shehadturnedherheadtospeaktoherboy;herprofilewasstillsoyouthfulthatitmadehergreyhairseempowdery,asiffancy-dressed;andherlipsweresmilingasSoames,firstpossessorofthem,hadneverseenthemsmile.Grudginglyheadmittedherstillbeautiful,andinfigurealmostasyoungasever.Andhowthatboysmiledbackather!EmotionsqueezedSoames'heart.Thesight

infringedhissenseofjustice.Hegrudgedherthatboy'ssmile--itwentbeyondwhatFleurgavehim,anditwasundeserved.Theirsonmighthavebeenhisson;Fleurmighthavebeenherdaughter,ifshehadkeptstraight!Heloweredhiscatalogue.Ifshesawhim,allthebetter!Areminderofherconductinthepresenceofherson,whoprobablyknewnothingofit,wouldbeasalutarytouchfromthefingerofthatNemesiswhichsurelymustsoonorlatevisither!Then,half-consciousthatsuchathoughtwasextravagantforaForsyteofhisage,Soamestookouthiswatch.Pastfour!Fleurwaslate.ShehadgonetohisnieceImogenCardigan's,andtheretheywouldkeephersmokingcigarettesandgossiping,andthat.Heheardtheboylaugh,andsayeagerly:"Isay,Mum,isthisoneofAuntieJune'slameducks?"

"PaulPost--Ibelieveitis,darling."

ThewordproducedalittleshockinSoames;hehadneverheardheruseit.Andthenshesawhim.HiseyesmusthavehadinthemsomethingofGeorgeForsyte'ssardoniclook;forherglovedhandcrispedthefoldsofherfrock,hereyebrowsrose,herfacewentstony.Shemovedon.

"ItISacaution,"saidtheboy,catchingherarmagain.


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Soamesstaredafterthem.Thatboywasgood-looking,withaForsytechin,andeyesdeep-grey,deepin;butwithsomethingsunny,likeaglassofoldsherryspilledoverhim;hissmileperhaps,hishair.Betterthantheydeserved--thosetwo!Theypassedfromhisviewintothenextroom,andSoamescontinuedtoregardtheFutureTown,butsawitnot.Alittlesmilesnarleduphislips.Hewasdespisingthevehemenceofhisownfeelingsafteralltheseyears.Ghosts!Andyetasonegrewold--wasthereanythingbutwhatwasghost-likeleft?Yes,therewasFleur!Hefixedhiseyesontheentrance.Shewasdue;butshewouldkeephimwaiting,ofcourse!Andsuddenlyhebecameawareofasortofhumanbreeze--ashort,slightformcladinasea-greendjibbahwithametalbeltandafilletbindingunrulyred-goldhairallstreakedwithgrey.ShewastalkingtotheGalleryattendants,andsomethingfamiliarrivetedhisgaze--inhereyes,herchin,herhair,herspirit--somethingwhichsuggestedathinSkyeterrierjustbeforeitsdinner.SurelyJuneForsyte!HiscousinJune--andcomingstraighttohisrecess!Shesatdownbesidehim,deepinthought,tookoutatablet,andmadeapencilnote.Soamessatunmoving.Aconfoundedthingcousinship!"Disgusting!"heheardhermurmur;then,asifresentingthepresenceofanoverhearingstranger,shelookedathim.Theworsthadhappened.

"Soames!"

Soamesturnedhisheadaverylittle.

"HowareYOU?"hesaid."Haven'tseenyoufortwentyyears."

"No.WhatevermadeYOUcomehere?"

"Mysins,"saidSoames."Whatstuff!"

"Stuff?Oh,yes--ofcourse;ithasn'tARRIVEDyet."

"Itneverwill,"saidSoames;"itmustbemakingadeadloss."

"Ofcourseitis."

"Howd'youknow?"

"It'smyGallery."

Soamessniffedfromsheersurprise.

"Yours?Whatonearthmakesyourunashowlikethis?"

"_I_don'ttreatArtasifitweregrocery."

SoamespointedtotheFutureTown."Lookatthat!Who'sgoingtoliveinatownlikethat,orwithitonhiswalls?"

Junecontemplatedthepictureforamoment."It'savision,"shesaid.

"Thedeuce!"

Therewassilence,thenJunerose.'Crazy-lookingcreature!'hethought.


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"Well,"hesaid,"you'llfindyouryoungstepbrotherherewithawomanIusedtoknow.Ifyoutakemyadvice,you'llclosethisexhibition."

Junelookedbackathim."Oh!YouForsyte!"shesaid,andmovedon.Aboutherlight,fly-awayfigure,passingsosuddenlyaway,wasalookofdangerousdecisions.Forsyte!Ofcourse,hewasaForsyte!Andsowasshe!Butfromthetimewhen,asameregirl,shebroughtBosinneyintohislifetowreckit,hehadneverhititoffwithJune--andneverwould!Andhereshewas,unmarriedtothisday,owningaGallery!...AndsuddenlyitcametoSoameshowlittleheknewnowofhisownfamily.TheoldauntsatTimothy'shadbeendeadsomanyyears;therewasnoclearing-housefornews.WhathadtheyalldoneintheWar?YoungRoger'sboyhadbeenwounded,St.JohnHayman'ssecondsonkilled;youngNicholas'eldesthadgotanO.B.E.,orwhatevertheygavethem.Theyhadalljoinedupsomehow,hebelieved.ThatboyofJolyon'sandIrene's,hesupposed,hadbeentooyoung;hisowngeneration,ofcourse,tooold,thoughGilesHaymanhaddrivenacarfortheRedCross--andJesseHaymanbeenaspecialconstable--those"Dromios"hadalwaysbeenofasportingtype!Asforhimself,hehadgivenamotorambulance,readthepaperstillhewassickofthem,passedthroughmuchanxiety,investedinWarBonds,boughtnoclothes,

lostsevenpoundsinweight;hedidn'tknowwhatmorehecouldhavedoneathisage.Indeed,itstruckhimthatheandhisfamilyhadtakenthiswarverydifferentlytothataffairwiththeBoers,whichhadbeensupposedtotaxalltheresourcesoftheEmpire.Inthatoldwar,ofcourse,hisnephewValDartiehadbeenwounded,thatfellowJolyon'sfirstsonhaddiedofenteric,"theDromios"hadgoneoutonhorses,andJunehadbeenanurse;butallthathadseemedinthenatureofaportent,whileinTHISwareverybodyhaddone"theirbit,"sofarashecouldmakeout,asamatterofcourse.Itseemedtoshowthegrowthofsomethingorother--orperhapsthedeclineofsomethingelse.HadtheForsytesbecomelessindividual,ormoreImperial,orlessprovincial?OrwasitsimplythatonehatedGermans?...Whydidn'tFleurcome,sothat

hecouldgetaway?Hesawthosethreereturntogetherfromtheotherroomandpassbackalongthefarsideofthescreen.TheboywasstandingbeforetheJunonow.And,suddenly,ontheothersideofher,Soamessaw--hisdaughterwitheyebrowsraised,aswelltheymightbe.Hecouldseehereyesglintsidewaysattheboy,andtheboylookbackather.ThenIreneslippedherhandthroughhisarm,anddrewhimon.Soamessawhimglancinground,andFleurlookingafterthemasthethreewentout.

Avoicesaidcheerfully:"Bitthick,isn'tit,sir?"

Theyoungmanwhohadhandedhimhishandkerchiefwasagainpassing.Soamesnodded.

"Idon'tknowwhatwe'recomingto."

"Oh!That'sallright,sir,"answeredtheyoungmancheerfully;"theydon'teither."

Fleur'svoicesaid,preciselyasifhehadbeenkeepingherwaiting:

"Hallo,Father!Thereyouare!"


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Theyoungman,snatchingoffhishat,passedon.

"Well,"saidSoames,lookingherupanddown,"you'reapunctualsortofyoungwoman!"

Thistreasuredpossessionofhislifewasofmediumheightandcolor,withshort,dark-chestnuthair;herwide-apartbrowneyesweresetinwhitessoclearthattheyglintedwhentheymoved,andyetinreposewerealmostdreamyunderverywhite,black-lashedlids,heldovertheminasortofsuspense.Shehadacharmingprofile,andnothingofherfatherinherfacesaveadecidedchin.Awarethathisexpressionwassofteningashelookedather,SoamesfrownedtopreservetheunemotionalismpropertoaForsyte.Heknewshewasonlytooinclinedtotakeadvantageofhisweakness.

Slippingherhandunderhisarm,shesaid:

"Whowasthat?"

"Hepickedupmyhandkerchief.Wetalkedaboutthepictures."

"You'renotgoingtobuyTHAT,Father?"

"No,"saidSoamesgrimly;"northatJunoyou'vebeenlookingat."

Fleurdraggedathisarm."Oh!Let'sgo!It'saghastlyshow."

InthedoorwaytheypassedtheyoungmancalledMontandhispartner.ButSoameshadhungoutaboardmarked"Trespasserswillbeprosecuted,"andhebarelyacknowledgedtheyoungfellow'ssalute.

"Well,"hesaidinthestreet,"whomdidyoumeetatImogen's?"

"AuntWinifred,andthatMonsieurProfond."

"Oh!"mutteredSoames;"thatchap!Whatdoesyourauntseeinhim?"

"Idon'tknow.Helooksprettydeep--mothersaysshelikeshim."

Soamesgrunted.

"CousinValandhiswifewerethere,too."

"What!"saidSoames."IthoughttheywerebackinSouthAfrica."

"Oh,no!They'vesoldtheirfarm.CousinValisgoingtotrain

race-horsesontheSussexDowns.They'vegotajollyoldmanor-house;theyaskedmedownthere."

Soamescoughed:thenewswasdistastefultohim."What'shiswifelikenow?"

"Veryquiet,butnice,Ithink."

Soamescoughedagain."He'saracketychap,yourcousinVal."


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"Oh!no,Father;they'reawfullydevoted.Ipromisedtogo--SaturdaytoWednesdaynext."

"Trainingrace-horses!"saidSoames.Itwasbadenough,butnotthereasonforhisdistaste.Whythedeucecouldn'thisnephewhavestayedoutinSouthAfrica?Hisowndivorcehadbeenbadenough,withouthisnephew'smarriagetothedaughteroftheco-respondent;ahalf-sistertooofJune,andofthatboywhomFleurhadjustbeenlookingatfromunderthepump-handle.Ifhedidn'tlookout,Fleurwouldcometoknowallaboutthatolddisgrace!Unpleasantthings!Theywereroundhimthisafternoonlikeaswarmofbees!

"Idon'tlikeit!"hesaid.

"Iwanttoseetherace-horses,"murmuredFleur;"andthey'vepromisedIshallride.CousinValcan'twalkmuch,youknow;buthecanrideperfectly.He'sgoingtoshowmetheirgallops."

"Racing!"saidSoames."It'sapitytheWardidn'tknockthatonthehead.He'stakingafterhisfather,I'mafraid."

"Idon'tknowanythingabouthisfather."

"No,"saidSoamesgrimly."HetookaninterestinhorsesandbrokehisneckinParis,walkingdown-stairs.Goodriddanceforyouraunt."Hefrowned,recollectingtheinquiryintothosestairswhichhehadattendedinParissixyearsago,becauseMontagueDartiecouldnotattendithimself--perfectlynormalstairsinahousewheretheyplayedbaccarat.Eitherhiswinningsorthewayhehadcelebratedthemhadgonetohisbrother-in-law'shead.TheFrenchprocedurehadbeenveryloose;hehadhadalotoftroublewithit.

AsoundfromFleurdistractedhisattention."Look!ThepeoplewhowereintheGallerywithus."

"Whatpeople?"mutteredSoames,whoknewperfectlywell.

"Ithinkthatwoman'sbeautiful."

"Comeintothispastry-cook's,"saidSoamesabruptly,andtighteninghisgriponherarm,heturnedintoaconfectioner's.Itwas--forhim--asurprisingthingtodo,andhesaidratheranxiously:"Whatwillyouhave?"

"Oh!Idon'twantanything.Ihadacocktailandatremendouslunch."

"WeMUSThavesomethingnowwe'rehere,"mutteredSoames,keeping

holdofherarm.

"Twoteas,"hesaid;"andtwoofthosenougatthings."

Butnosoonerwashisbodyseatedthanhissoulsprangup.Thosethree--thosethreewerecomingin!HeheardIrenesaysomethingtoherboy,andhisanswer:

"Oh!no,Mum;thisplaceisallright.Mystunt."Andthethreesatdown.


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Atthatmoment,mostawkwardofhisexistence,crowdedwithghostsandshadowsfromhispast,inpresenceoftheonlytwowomenhehadeverloved--hisdivorcedwifeandhisdaughterbyhersuccessor--SoameswasnotsomuchafraidofTHEMasofhiscousinJune.Shemightmakeascene--shemightintroducethosetwochildren--shewascapableofanything.Hebittoohastilyatthenougat,anditstucktohisplate.Workingatitwithhisfinger,heglancedatFleur.Shewasmasticatingdreamily,buthereyeswereontheboy.TheForsyteinhimsaid:"Think,feel,andyou'redonefor!"Andhewiggledhisfingerdesperately.Plate!DidJolyonwearaplate?Didthatwomanwearaplate?Timehadbeenwhenhehadseenherwearingnothing!Thatwassomething,anyway,whichhadneverbeenstolenfromhim.Andsheknewit,thoughshemightsittherecalmandself-possessed,asifshehadneverbeenhiswife.AnacidhumorstirredinhisForsyteblood;asubtlepaindividedbyhair's-breadthfrompleasure.IfonlyJunedidnotsuddenlybringherhornetsabouthisears!Theboywastalking.

"Ofcourse,AuntieJune,"--sohecalledhishalf-sister"Auntie,"didhe?--well,shemustbefifty,ifshewasaday!--"it'sjollygoodofyoutoencouragethem.Only--hangitall!"Soamesstoleaglance.Irene'sstartledeyeswerebentwatchfullyonherboy.She--shehadthesedevotions--forBosinney--forthatboy'sfather--

forthisboy!HetouchedFleur'sarm,andsaid:

"Well,haveyouhadenough?"

"Onemore,Father,please."

Shewouldbesick!Hewenttothecountertopay.WhenheturnedroundagainhesawFleurstandingnearthedoor,holdingahandkerchiefwhichtheboyhadevidentlyjusthandedtoher.

"F.F.,"heheardhersay."FleurForsyte--it'smineallright.Thankyoueverso."

GoodGod!Shehadcaughtthetrickfromwhathe'dtoldherintheGallery--monkey!

"Forsyte?Why--that'smynametoo.Perhapswe'recousins."

"Really!Wemustbe.Therearen'tanyothers.IliveatMapledurham;wheredoyou?"

"RobinHill."

Questionandanswerhadbeensorapidthatallwasoverbeforehecouldliftafinger.HesawIrene'sfacealivewithstartledfeeling,gavetheslightestshakeofhishead,andslippedhisarm

throughFleur's.

"Comealong!"hesaid.

Shedidnotmove.

"Didn'tyouhear,Father?Isn'titqueer--ourname'sthesame.Arewecousins?"

"What'sthat?"hesaid."Forsyte?Distant,perhaps."


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"Myname'sJolyon,sir.Jon,forshort."

"Oh!Ah!"saidSoames."Yes.Distant.Howareyou?Verygoodofyou.Good-bye!"

Hemovedon.

"Thanksawfully,"Fleurwassaying."Aurevoir!"

"Aurevoir!"heheardtheboyreply.

II

FINEFLEURFORSYTE

Emergingfromthe"pastry-cook's,"Soames'firstimpulsewastoventhisnervesbysayingtohisdaughter:"Droppingyourhandkerchief!"towhichherreplymightwellbe:"Ipickedthatup

fromyou!"Hissecondimpulsethereforewastoletsleepingdogslie.Butshewouldsurelyquestionhim.Hegaveherasidelonglook,andfoundshewasgivinghimthesame.Shesaidsoftly:

"Whydon'tyoulikethosecousins,Father?"

Soamesliftedthecornerofhislip.

"Whatmadeyouthinkthat?"

"Celasevoit."

'Thatseesitself!'Whatawayofputtingit!

AftertwentyyearsofaFrenchwifeSoameshadstilllittlesympathywithherlanguage;atheatricalaffairandconnectedinhismindwithalltherefinementsofdomesticirony.

"How?"heasked.

"YouMUSTknowthem;andyoudidn'tmakeasign.Isawthemlookingatyou."

"I'veneverseentheboyinmylife,"repliedSoameswithperfecttruth.

"No;butyou'veseentheothers,dear."

Soamesgaveheranotherlook.Whathadshepickedup?HadherAuntWinifred,orImogen,orValDartieandhiswife,beentalking?Everybreathoftheoldscandalhadbeencarefullykeptfromherathome,andWinifredwarnedmanytimesthathewouldn'thaveawhisperofitreachherfortheworld.Sofarassheoughttoknow,hehadneverbeenmarriedbefore.Butherdarkeyes,whosesouthernglintandclearnessoftenalmostfrightenedhim,methiswithperfectinnocence.


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"Well,"hesaid,"yourgrandfatherandhisbrotherhadaquarrel.Thetwofamiliesdon'tknoweachother."

"Howromantic!"

'Now,whatdoesshemeanbythat?'hethought.Thewordwastohimextravagantanddangerous--itwasasifshehadsaid:"Howjolly!"

"Andthey'llcontinuenottoknoweachother,"headded,butinstantlyregrettedthechallengeinthosewords.Fleurwassmiling.Inthisage,whenyoungpeoplepridedthemselvesongoingtheirownwaysandpayingnoattentiontoanysortofdecentprejudice,hehadsaidtheverythingtoexciteherwilfulness.Then,recollectingtheexpressiononIrene'sface,hebreathedagain.

"Whatsortofaquarrel?"heheardFleursay.

"Aboutahouse.It'sancienthistoryforyou.Yourgrandfatherdiedthedayyouwereborn.Hewasninety."

"Ninety?AretheremanyForsytesbesidesthoseintheRedBook?"

"Idon'tknow,"saidSoames."They'realldispersednow.Theoldonesaredead,exceptTimothy."

Fleurclaspedherhands.

"Timothy?Isn'tthatdelicious?"

"Notatall,"saidSoames.Itoffendedhimthatsheshouldthink"Timothy"delicious--akindofinsulttohisbreed.Thisnewgenerationmockedatanythingsolidandtenacious."Yougoandseetheoldboy.Hemightwanttoprophesy."Ah!IfTimothycouldseethedisquietEnglandofhisgreatnephewsandgreatnieces,hewouldcertainlygivetongue.Andinvoluntarilyheglancedupatthe

Iseeum;yes--Georgewasstillinthewindow,withthesamepinkpaperinhishand.

"WhereisRobinHill,Father?"

RobinHill!RobinHill,roundwhichallthattragedyhadcentred!Whatdidshewanttoknowfor?

"InSurrey,"hemuttered;"notfarfromRichmond,Why?"

"Isthehousethere?"

"Whathouse?"

"Thattheyquarrelledabout."

"Yes.Butwhat'sallthattodowithyou?We'regoinghometo-morrow--you'dbetterbethinkingaboutyourfrocks."

"Blessyou!They'reallthoughtabout.Afamilyfeud?It'sliketheBible,orMarkTwain--awfullyexciting.WhatdidYOUdointhefeud,Father?"


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"Neveryoumind."

"Oh!ButifI'mtokeepitup?"

"Whosaidyouweretokeepitup?"

"You,darling."

"I?Isaidithadnothingtodowithyou."

"Justwhat_I_think,youknow;sothat'sallright."

Shewastoosharpforhim;FINE,asAnnettesometimescalledher.Nothingforitbuttodistractherattention.

"There'sabitofrosalinepointinhere,"hesaid,stoppingbeforeashop,"thatIthoughtyoumightlike."

Whenhehadpaidforitandtheyhadresumedtheirprogress,Fleursaid:

"Don'tyouthinkthatboy'smotheristhemostbeautifulwomanofherageyou'veeverseen?"

Soamesshivered.Uncanny,thewayshestucktoit!

"Idon'tknowthatInoticedher."

"Dear,Isawthecornerofyoureye."

"Youseeeverything--andagreatdealmore,itseemstome!"

"What'sherhusbandlike?Hemustbeyourfirstcousin,ifyourfatherswerebrothers."

"Dead,forallIknow,"saidSoames,withsuddenvehemence."Ihaven'tseenhimfortwentyyears."

"Whatwashe?"

"Apainter."

"That'squitejolly."

Thewords:"Ifyouwanttopleasemeyou'llputthosepeopleoutofyourhead,"sprangtoSoames'slips,buthechokedthemback--hemustNOTletherseehisfeelings.

"Heonceinsultedme,"hesaid.

Herquickeyesrestedonhisface.

"Isee!Youdidn'tavengeit,anditrankles.PoorFather!Youletmehaveago!"

Itwasreallylikelyinginthedarkwithamosquitohoveringabovehisface.SuchpertinacityinFleurwasnewtohim,and,astheyreachedthehotel,hesaidgrimly:

"Ididmybest.Andthat'senoughaboutthesepeople.I'mgoingup


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tilldinner."

"Ishallsithere."

Withapartinglookatherextendedinachair--alookhalf-resentful,half-adoring--Soamesmovedintotheliftandwastransportedtotheirsuiteonthefourthfloor.Hestoodbythewindowofthesitting-roomwhichgaveviewoverHydePark,anddrummedafingeronitspane.Hisfeelingswereconfused,tetchy,troubled.Thethrobofthatoldwound,scarredoverbyTimeandnewinterests,wasmingledwithdispleasureandanxiety,andaslightpaininhischestwherethatnougatstuffhaddisagreed.HadAnnettecomein?Notthatshewasanygoodtohiminsuchadifficulty.Whenevershehadquestionedhimabouthisfirstmarriage,hehadalwaysshutherup;sheknewnothingofit,savethatithadbeenthegreatpassionofhislife,andhismarriagewithherselfbutdomesticmakeshift.Shehadalwayskeptthegrudgeofthatuphersleeve,asitwere,anduseditcommercially.Helistened.Asound--thevaguemurmurofawoman'smovements--wascomingthroughthedoor.Shewasin.Hetapped.

"Who?"

"I,"saidSoames.

Shehadbeenchangingherfrock,andwasstillimperfectlyclothed;astrikingfigurebeforeherglass.Therewasacertainmagnificenceaboutherarms,shoulders,hair,whichhaddarkenedsincehefirstknewher,abouttheturnofherneck,thesilkinessofhergarments,herdark-lashed,grey-blueeyes--shewascertainlyashandsomeatfortyasshehadeverbeen.Afinepossession,anexcellenthousekeeper,asensibleandaffectionateenoughmother.Ifonlysheweren'talwayssofranklycynicalabouttherelationsbetweenthem!Soames,whohadnomorerealaffectionforherthanshehadforhim,sufferedfromakindofEnglishgrievance,inthatshehadneverdroppedeventhethinnestveilofsentimentovertheirpartnership.Likemostofhiscountrymenand

women,heheldtheviewthatmarriageshouldbebasedonmutuallove,butthatwhenfromamarriagelovehaddisappeared,orbeenfoundnevertohavereallyexisted--sothatitwasmanifestlynotbasedonlove--youmustnotadmitit.Thereitwas,andthelovewasnot--butthereyouwere,andmustcontinuetobe!Thusyouhaditbothways,andwerenottarredwithcynicism,realism,andimmorality,liketheFrench.Moreover,itwasnecessaryintheinterestsofpropriety.Heknewthatsheknewthattheybothknewtherewasnolovebetweenthem,buthestillexpectedhernottoadmitinwordsorconductsuchathing,andhecouldneverunderstandwhatshemeantwhenshetalkedofthehypocrisyoftheEnglish.Hesaid:

"Whomhaveyougotat'TheShelter'nextweek?"

Annettewentontouchingherlipsdelicatelywithsalve--healwayswishedshewouldn'tdothat.

"YoursisterWinifred,andtheCar-r-digans"--shetookupatinystickofblack--"andProsperProfond."

"ThatBelgianchap?Whyhim?"


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Annetteturnedhernecklazily,touchedoneeyelash,andsaid:

"HeamusesWinifred."

"IwantsomeonetoamuseFleur;she'srestive."

"R-restive?"repeatedAnnette."Isitthefirsttimeyouseethat,myfriend?Shewasbornr-restive,asyoucallit."

Wouldshenevergetthataffectedrolloutofherr's?

Hetouchedthedressshehadtakenoff,andasked:

"Whathaveyoubeendoing?"

Annettelookedathim,reflectedinherglass.Herjust-brightenedlipssmiled,ratherfull,ratherironical.

"Enjoyingmyself,"shesaid.

"Oh!"answeredSoamesglumly."Ribbandry,Isuppose."

Itwashiswordforallthatincomprehensiblerunninginandoutofshopsthatwomenwentinfor."HasFleurgothersummer

dresses?"

"Youdon'taskifIhavemine."

"Youdon'tcarewhetherIdoornot."

"Quiteright.Well,shehas;andIhavemine--terriblyexpensive."

"H'm!"saidSoames."WhatdoesthatchapProfonddoinEngland?"

Annetteraisedtheeyebrowsshehadjustfinished.

"Heyachts."

"Ah!"saidSoames;"he'sasleepychap."

"Sometimes,"answeredAnnette,andherfacehadasortofquietenjoyment."Butsometimesveryamusing."

"He'sgotatouchofthetar-brushabouthim."

Annettestretchedherself.

"Tar-brush?"shesaid;"whatisthat?HismotherwasArmenienne."

"That'sit,then,"mutteredSoames."Doesheknowanythingabout

pictures?"

"Heknowsabouteverything--amanoftheworld."

"Well,getsomeoneforFleur.Iwanttodistracther.She'sgoingoffonSaturdaytoValDartieandhiswife;Idon'tlikeit."

"Whynot?"

Sincethereasoncouldnotbeexplainedwithoutgoingintofamily


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history,Soamesmerelyanswered:

"Racketingabout.There'stoomuchofit."

"IlikethatlittleMrs.Val;sheisveryquietandclever."

"Iknownothingofherexcept--Thisthing'snew."AndSoamestookupacreationfromthebed.

Annettereceiveditfromhim.

"Wouldyouhookme?"shesaid.

Soameshooked.Glancingonceoverhershoulderintotheglass,hesawtheexpressiononherface,faintlyamused,faintlycontemptuous,asmuchastosay:'Thanks!Youwillneverlearn!'No,thankGod,hewasn'taFrenchman!Hefinishedwithajerk,andthewords:

"It'stoolowhere."Andhewenttothedoor,withthewishtogetawayfromherandgodowntoFleuragain.

Annettestayedapowder-puff,andsaidwithstartlingsuddenness:

"Quetuesgrossier!"

Heknewtheexpression--hehadreasonto.Thefirsttimeshehadusedithehadthoughtitmeant"Whatagroceryouare!"andhadnotknownwhethertoberelievedornotwhenbetterinformed.Heresentedtheword--hewasNOTcoarse!Ifhewascoarse,whatwasthatchapintheroombeyondhis,whomadethosehorriblenoisesinthemorningwhenheclearedhisthroat,orthosepeopleintheLoungewhothoughtitwell-bredtosaynothingbutwhatthewholeworldcouldhearatthetopoftheirvoices--quackinginanity!Coarse,becausehehadsaidherdresswaslow!Well,soitwas!Hewentoutwithoutreply.

ComingintotheLoungefromthefarend,heatoncesawFleurwherehehadlefther.Shesatwithcrossedknees,slowlybalancingafootinsilkstockingandgreyshoe,suresignthatshewasdreaming.Hereyesshowedittoo--theywentofflikethatsometimes.Andthen,inamoment,shewouldcometolife,andbeasquickandrestlessasamonkey.Andsheknewsomuch,soself-assured,andnotyetnineteen.Whatwasthatodiousword?Flapper!Dreadfulyoungcreatures--squealingandsquawkingandshowingtheirlegs!Theworstofthembaddreams,thebestofthempowderedangels!FleurwasNOTaflapper,NOToneofthoseslangy,ill-bredyoungfemales.Andyetshewasfrighteninglyself-willed,andfulloflife,anddeterminedtoenjoyit.Enjoy!ThewordbroughtnopuritanterrortoSoames;butitbroughttheterror

suitedtohistemperament.Hehadalwaysbeenafraidtoenjoyto-dayforfearhemightnotenjoyto-morrowsomuch.Anditwasterrifyingtofeelthathisdaughterwasdivestedofthatsafeguard.Theverywayshesatinthatchairshowedit--lostinherdream.Hehadneverbeenlostinadreamhimself--therewasnothingtobehadoutofit;andwhereshegotitfromhedidnotknow!CertainlynotfromAnnette!AndyetAnnette,asayounggirl,whenhewashangingabouther,hadoncehadaflowerylook.Well,shehadlostitnow!


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Fleurrosefromherchair--swiftly,restlessly,andflungherselfdownatawriting-table.Seizinginkandwriting-paper,shebegantowriteasifshehadnottimetobreathebeforeshegotherletterwritten.Andsuddenlyshesawhim.Theairofdesperateabsorptionvanished,shesmiled,wavedakiss,madeaprettyfaceasifshewerealittlepuzzledandalittlebored.

Ah!Shewas"fine"--"fine!"

III

ATROBINHILL

JolyonForsytehadspenthisboy'snineteenthbirthdayatRobinHill,quietlygoingintohisaffairs.Hedideverythingquietlynow,becausehisheartwasinapoorway,and,likeallhisfamily,hedislikedtheideaofdying.Hehadneverrealisedhowmuchtilloneday,twoyearsago,hehadgonetohisdoctoraboutcertainsymptoms,andbeentold:

"Atanymoment,onanyoverstrain."

Hehadtakenitwithasmile--thenaturalForsytereactionagainstanunpleasanttruth.Butwithanincreaseofsymptomsinthetrainonthewayhome,hehadrealisedtothefullthesentencehangingoverhim.ToleaveIrene,hisboy,hishome,hiswork--thoughhedidlittleenoughworknow!Toleavethemforunknowndarkness,fortheunimaginablestate,forsuchnothingnessthathewouldnotevenbeconsciousofwindstirringleavesabovehisgrave,norofthescentofearthandgrass.Ofsuchnothingnessthat,howeverhardhemighttrytoconceiveit,henevercould,andmuststillhoveronthehopethathemightseeagainthoseheloved!To

realisethiswastoendureverypoignantspiritualanguish.Beforehereachedhomethatday,hehaddeterminedtokeepitfromIrene.Hewouldhavetobemorecarefulthanmanhadeverbeen,fortheleastthingwouldgiveitawayandmakeheraswretchedashimself,almost.Hisdoctorhadpassedhimsoundinotherrespects,andseventywasnothingofanage--hewouldlastalongtimeyet,IFHECOULD!

Suchaconclusion,followedoutfornearlytwoyears,developstothefullthesubtlersideofcharacter.Naturallynotabrupt,exceptwhennervouslyexcited,Jolyonhadbecomecontrolincarnate.Thesadpatienceofoldpeoplewhocannotexertthemselveswasmaskedbyasmilewhichhislipspreservedevenin

private.Hedevisedcontinuallyallmannerofcovertoconcealhisenforcedlackofexertion.Mockinghimselfforsodoing,hecounterfeitedconversiontotheSimpleLife;gaveupwineandcigars,drankaspecialkindofcoffeewithnocoffeeinit.Inshort,hemadehimselfassafeasaForsyteinhisconditioncould,undertheroseofhismildirony.Securefromdiscovery,sincehiswifeandsonhadgoneuptoTown,hehadspentthefineMaydayquietlyarranginghispapers,thathemightdieto-morrowwithoutinconveniencinganyone,givinginfactafinalpolishtohisterrestrialstate.Havingdocketedandencloseditinhis


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father'soldChinesecabinet,heputthekeyintoanenvelope,wrotethewordsoutside:"KeyoftheChinesecabinet,whereinwillbefoundtheexactstateofme.J.F.,"andputitinhisbreast-pocket,whereitwouldbe,alwaysabouthim,incaseofaccident.Then,ringingfortea,hewentouttohaveitundertheoldoak-tree.

Allareundersentenceofdeath;Jolyon,whosesentencewasbutalittlemorepreciseandpressing,hadbecomesousedtoit,thathethoughthabitually,likeotherpeople,ofotherthings.Hethoughtofhissonnow.

Jonwasnineteenthatday,andJonhadcomeoflatetoadecision.EducatedneitheratEtonlikehisfather,noratHarrow,likehisdeadhalf-brother,butatoneofthoseestablishmentswhich,designedtoavoidtheevilandcontainthegoodofthePublicSchoolsystem,mayormaynotcontaintheevilandavoidthegood,JonhadleftinAprilperfectlyignorantofwhathewantedtobecome.TheWar,whichhadpromisedtogoonforever,hadendedjustashewasabouttojointhearmy,sixmonthsbeforehistime.Ithadtakenhimeversincetogetusedtotheideathathecouldnowchooseforhimself.Hehadheldwithhisfatherseveraldiscussions,fromwhich,underacheeryshowofbeingreadyforanything--except,ofcourse,theChurch,Army,Law,Stage,StockExchange,Medicine,Business,andEngineering--Jolyonhadgathered

ratherclearlythatJonwantedtogoinfornothing.Hehimselfhadfeltexactlylikethatatthesameage.Withhimthatpleasantvacuityhadsoonbeenendedbyanearlymarriage,anditsunhappyconsequences.ForcedtobecomeanunderwriteratLloyd'shehadregainedprosperitybeforehisartistictalenthadoutcropped.Buthaving--asthesimplesay--"learned"hisboytodrawpigsandotheranimals,heknewthatJonwouldneverbeapainter,andinclinedtotheconclusionthathisaversionfromeverythingelsemeantthathewasgoingtobeawriter.Holding,however,theviewthatexperiencewasnecessaryevenforthatprofession,thereseemedtoJolyonnothinginthemeantime,forJon,butUniversity,travel,andperhapstheeatingofdinnersfortheBar.Afterthatonewouldsee,ormoreprobablyonewouldnot.Infaceofthese

profferedallurements,however,Jonhadremainedundecided.

SuchdiscussionswithhissonhadconfirmedinJolyonadoubtwhethertheworldhadreallychanged.Peoplesaidthatitwasanewage.Withtheprofundityofonenottoolongforanyage,Jolyonperceivedthatunderslightlydifferentsurfaces,theerawaspreciselywhatithadbeen.Mankindwasstilldividedintotwospecies:Thefewwhohad"speculation"intheirsouls,andthemanywhohadnone,withabeltofhybridslikehimselfinthemiddle.Jonappearedtohavespeculation;itseemedtohisfatherabadlookout.

Withsomethingdeeper,therefore,thanhisusualsmile,hehad

heardtheboysay,afortnightago:"Ishouldliketotryfarming,Dad;ifitwon'tcostyoutoomuch.Itseemstobeabouttheonlysortoflifethatdoesn'thurtanybody;exceptart,andofcoursethat'soutofthequestionforme."

Jolyonsubduedhissmile,andanswered:

"Allright;youshallskipbacktowherewewereunderthefirstJolyonin1760.It'llprovethecycletheory,andincidentally,nodoubt,youmaygrowabetterturnipthanhedid."


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Alittledashed,Jonhadanswered:

"Butdon'tyouthinkit'sagoodscheme,Dad?"

"Twillserve,mydear;andifyoushouldreallytaketoit,you'lldomoregoodthanmostmen,whichislittleenough."

Tohimself,however,hehadsaid:"Buthewon'ttaketoit.Igivehimfouryears.Still,it'shealthy,andharmless."

AfterturningthematteroverandconsultingwithIrene,hewrotetohisdaughterMrs.ValDortie,askingiftheyknewofafarmernearthemontheDownswhowouldtakeJonasanapprentice.Holly'sanswerhadbeenenthusiastic.Therewasanexcellentmanquiteclose;sheandValwouldloveJontolivewiththem.

Theboywasduetogoto-morrow.

Sippingweakteawithlemoninit,Jolyongazedthroughtheleavesoftheoldoak-treeatthatviewwhichhadappearedtohimdesirableforthirty-twoyears.Thetreebeneathwhichhesatseemednotadayolder!Soyoung,thelittleleavesofbrownishgold;soold,thewhitey-grey-greenofitsthickroughtrunk,A

treeofmemories,whichwouldliveonhundredsofyearsyet,unlesssomebarbariancutitdown--wouldseeoldEnglandoutatthepacethingsweregoing!Herememberedanightthreeyearsbefore,when,lookingfromhiswindow,withhisarmcloseroundIrene,hehadwatchedaGermanaeroplanehovering,itseemed,rightovertheoldtree.NextdaytheyhadfoundabombholeinafieldonGage'sfarm.Thatwasbeforeheknewthathewasundersentenceofdeath.Hecouldalmosthavewishedthebombhadfinishedhim.Itwouldhavesavedalotofhangingabout,manyhoursofcoldfearinthepitofhisstomach.HehadcountedonlivingtothenormalForsyteageofeighty-fiveormore,whenIrenewouldbeseventy.Asitwas,shewouldmisshim.StilltherewasJon,moreimportantinherlifethanhimself;Jon,whoadored

hismother.

Underthattree,whereoldJolyon--waitingforIrenetocometohimacrossthelawn--hadbreathedhislast,Jolyonwondered,whimsically,whether,havingputeverythinginsuchperfectorder,hehadnotbetterclosehisowneyesanddriftaway.Therewassomethingundignifiedinparasiticallyclingingontotheeffortlesscloseofalifewhereinheregrettedtwothingsonly--thelongdivisionbetweenhisfatherandhimselfwhenhewasyoung,andthelatenessofhisunionwithIrene.

Fromwherehesathecouldseeaclusterofapple-treesinblossom.NothinginNaturemovedhimsomuchasfruit-treesin

blossom;andhisheartachedsuddenlybecausehemightneverseethemfloweragain.Spring!Decidedlynomanoughttohavetodiewhilehisheartwasstillyoungenoughtolovebeauty!Blackbirdssangrecklesslyintheshrubbery,swallowswereflyinghigh,theleavesabovehimglistened;andoverthefieldswaseveryimaginabletintofearlyfoliage,burnishedbythelevelsunlight,awaytowherethedistant'smoke-bush'bluewastrailedalongthehorizon.Irene'sflowersintheirnarrowbedshadstartlingindividualitythatevening,littledeepassertionsofgaylife.OnlyChineseandJapanesepainters,andperhapsLeonardo,had


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knownhowtogetthatstartlinglittleegointoeachpaintedflower,andbird,andbeast--theego,yetthesenseofspecies,theuniversalityoflifeaswell.Theywerethefellows!'I'vemadenothingthatwilllive!'thoughtJolyon;'I'vebeenanamateur--amerelover,notacreator.Still,IshallleaveJonbehindmewhenIgo.'Whatluckthattheboyhadnotbeencaughtbythatghastlywar!Hemightsoeasilyhavebeenkilled,likepoorJollytwentyyearsagooutintheTransvaal.Jonwoulddosomethingsomeday--iftheAgedidn'tspoilhim--animaginativechap!Hiswhimtotakeupfarmingwasbutabitofsentiment,andaboutaslikelytolast.Andjustthenhesawthemcomingupthefield:Ireneandtheboy,walkingfromthestation,withtheirarmslinked.And,gettingup,hestrolleddownthroughthenewrosegardentomeetthem....

Irenecameintohisroomthatnightandsatdownbythewindow.Shesattherewithoutspeakingtillhesaid:

"Whatisit,mylove?"

"Wehadanencounterto-day."

"Withwhom?"

"Soames."

Soames!Hehadkeptthatnameoutofhisthoughtstheselasttwoyears;consciousthatitwasbadforhim.And,now,hisheartmovedinadisconcertingmanner,asifithadside-slippedwithinhischest.

Irenewentonquietly:

"HeandhisdaughterwereintheGallery,andafterwardsattheconfectioner'swherewehadtea."

Jolyonwentoverandputhishandonhershoulder.

"Howdidhelook?"

"Grey;butotherwisemuchthesame."

"Andthedaughter?"

"Pretty.Atleast,Jonthoughtso."

Jolyon'sheartside-slippedagain.Hiswife'sfacehadastrainedandpuzzledlook.

"Youdidn't--?"hebegan.

"No;butJonknowstheirname.Thegirldroppedherhandkerchiefandhepickeditup."

Jolyonsatdownonhisbed.Anevilchance!

"Junewaswithyou.Didsheputherfootintoit?"

"No;butitwasallveryqueerandstrained,andJoncouldseeitwas."


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Jolyondrewalongbreath,andsaid:

"I'veoftenwonderedwhetherwe'vebeenrighttokeepitfromhim.He'llfindoutsomeday."

"Thelaterthebetter,Jolyon;theyounghavesuchcheap,hardjudgment.WhenyouwerenineteenwhatwouldyouhavethoughtofYOURmotherifshehaddonewhatIhave?"Yes!Thereitwas!Jonworshippedhismother;andknewnothingofthetragedies,theinexorablenecessitiesoflife,nothingoftheprisonedgriefinanunhappymarriage,nothingofjealousy,orpassion--knewnothingatall,asyet!

"Whathaveyoutoldhim?"hesaidatlast.

"Thattheywererelations,butwedidn'tknowthem;thatyouhadnevercaredmuchforyourfamily,ortheyforyou.IexpecthewillbeaskingYOU."

Jolyonsmiled."Thispromisestotaketheplaceofair-raids,"hesaid."Afterall,onemissesthem."

Irenelookedupathim.

"We'veknownitwouldcomesomeday."

Heansweredherwithsuddenenergy:

"IcouldneverstandseeingJonblameyou.Heshan'tdothat,eveninthought.Hehasimagination;andhe'llunderstandifit'sputtohimproperly.IthinkIhadbettertellhimbeforehegetstoknowotherwise."

"Notyet,Jolyon."

Thatwaslikeher--shehadnoforesight,andneverwenttomeet

trouble.Still--whoknew?--shemightberight.Itwasillgoingagainstamother'sinstinct.Itmightbewelltolettheboygoon,ifpossible,tillexperiencehadgivenhimsometouchstonebywhichhecouldjudgethevaluesofthatoldtragedy;tilllove,jealousy,longing,haddeepenedhischarity.Allthesame,onemusttakeprecautions--everyprecautionpossible!And,longafterIrenehadlefthim,helayawaketurningoverthoseprecautions.HemustwritetoHolly,tellingherthatJonknewnothingasyetoffamilyhistory.Hollywasdiscreet,shewouldmakesureofherhusband,shewouldseetoit!Joncouldtaketheletterwithhimwhenhewentto-morrow.

Andsothedayonwhichhehadputthepolishonhismaterial

estatediedoutwiththechimingofthestableclock;andanotherbeganforJolyonintheshadowofaspiritualdisorderwhichcouldnotbesoroundedoffandpolished....

ButJon,whoseroomhadoncebeenhisdaynursery,layawaketoo,thepreyofasensationdisputedbythosewhohaveneverknownit,"loveatfirstsight!"HehadfeltitbeginninginhimwiththeglintofthosedarkeyesgazingintohisathwarttheJuno--aconvictionthatthiswashis'dream';sothatwhatfollowedhadseemedtohimatoncenaturalandmiraculous.Fleur!Hername


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alonewasalmostenoughforonewhowasterriblysusceptibletothecharmofwords.Inahomoeopathicage,whenboysandgirlswerecoeducated,andmixedupinearlylifetillsexwasalmostabolished,Jonwassingularlyold-fashioned.Hismodernschooltookboysonly,andhisholidayshadbeenspentatRobinHillwithboyfriends,orhisparentsalone.Hehadnever,therefore,beeninoculatedagainstthegermsoflovebysmalldosesofthepoison.Andnowinthedarkhistemperaturewasmountingfast.Helayawake,featuringFleur--astheycalledit--recallingherwords,especiallythat"Aurevoir!"sosoftandsprightly.

Hewasstillsowide-awakeatdawnthathegotup,slippedontennisshoes,trousers,andasweater,andinsilencecreptdown-stairsandoutthroughthestudywindow.Itwasjustlight;therewasasmellofgrass.'Fleur!'hethought;'Fleur!'Itwasmysteriouslywhiteout-of-doors,withnothingawakeexceptthebirdsjustbeginningtochirp.'I'llgodownintothecoppice,'hethought.Herandownthroughthefields,reachedthepondjustasthesunrose,andpassedintothecoppice.Bluebellscarpetedthegroundthere;amongthelarch-treestherewasmystery--theair,asitwere,composedofthatromanticquality.Jonsniffeditsfreshness,andstaredatthebluebellsinthesharpeninglight.Fleur!Itrhymedwithher!AndshelivedatMapledurham--ajollyname,too,ontheriversomewhere.Hecouldfinditintheatlas

presently.Hewouldwritetoher.Butwouldsheanswer?Oh!Shemust.Shehadsaid"Aurevoir!"Notgood-bye!Whatluckthatshehaddroppedherhandkerchief.Hewouldneverhaveknownherbutforthat.Andthemorehethoughtofthathandkerchief,themoreamazinghisluckseemed.Fleur!Itcertainlyrhymedwithher!Rhythmthrongedhishead;wordsjostledtobejoinedtogether;hewasonthevergeofapoem.

Jonremainedinthisconditionformorethanhalfanhour,thenreturnedtothehouse,andgettingaladder,climbedinathisbedroomwindowoutofsheerexhilaration.Then,rememberingthatthestudywindowwasopen,hewentdownandshutit,firstremovingtheladder,soastoobliteratealltracesofhis

feeling.Thethingwastoodeeptoberevealedtomortalsoul--eventohismother.

IV

THEMAUSOLEUM

TherearehouseswhosesoulshavepassedintothelimboofTime,

leavingtheirbodiesinthelimboofLondon.Suchwasnotquitetheconditionof"Timothy's"ontheBayswaterRoad,forTimothy'ssoulstillhadonefootinTimothyForsyte'sbody,andSmitherkepttheatmosphereunchanging,ofcamphorandportwineandhousewhosewindowsareonlyopenedtoairittwiceaday.

ToForsyteimaginationthathousewasnowasortofChinesepill-box,aseriesoflayersinthelastofwhichwasTimothy.Onedidnotreachhim,orsoitwasreportedbymembersofthefamilywho,outofold-timehabitorabsent-mindedness,woulddriveuponcein


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abluemoonandaskaftertheirsurvivinguncle.SuchwereFrancie,nowquiteemancipatedfromGod(shefranklyavowedatheism),Euphemia,emancipatedfromoldNicholas,andWinifredDartiefromher"manoftheworld."But,afterall,everybodywasemancipatednow,orsaidtheywere--perhapsnotquitethesamething!

WhenSoames,therefore,tookitonhiswaytoPaddingtonstationonthemorningafterthatencounter,itwashardlywiththeexpectationofseeingTimothyintheflesh.HisheartmadeafaintdemonstrationwithinhimwhilehestoodinfullsouthsunlightonthenewlywhiteneddoorstepofthatlittlehousewherefourForsyteshadoncelived,andnowbutonedweltonlikeawinterfly;thehouseintowhichSoameshadcomeandoutofwhichhehadgonetimeswithoutnumber,divestedof,orburdenedwith,fardelsoffamilygossip;thehouseofthe"oldpeople"ofanothercentury,anotherage.

ThesightofSmither--stillcorseteduptothearmpitsbecausethenewfashionwhichcameinastheyweregoingoutabout1903hadneverbeenconsidered"nice"byAuntsJuleyandHester--broughtapalefriendlinesstoSoames'slips;Smither,stillfaithfullyarrangedtooldpatternineverydetail,aninvaluableservant--nonesuchleft--smilingbackathim,withthewords:"Why!it's

Mr.Soames,afterallthistime!AndhowareYOU,sir?Mr.Timothywillbesopleasedtoknowyou'vebeen."

"Howishe?"

"Oh!hekeepsfairlybobbishforhisage,sir;butofcoursehe'sawonderfulman.AsIsaidtoMrs.Dartiewhenshewasherelast:ItWOULDpleaseMissForsyteandMrs.JuleyandMissHestertoseehowherelishesabakedapplestill.Buthe'squitedeaf.Andamercy,Ialwaysthink.Forwhatweshouldhavedonewithhimintheair-raids,Idon'tknow."

"Ah!"saidSoames."WhatDIDyoudowithhim?"

"Wejustlefthiminhisbed,andhadthebellrundownintothecellar,sothatCookandIcouldhearhimifherang.Itwouldneverhavedonetolethimknowtherewasawaron.AsIsaidtoCook,'IfMr.Timothyrings,theymaydowhattheylike--I'mgoingup.Mydearmistresseswouldhaveafitiftheycouldseehimringingandnobodygoingtohim.'Buthesleptthroughthemallbeautiful.Andtheoneinthedaytimehewashavinghisbath.ItWASamercy,becausehemighthavenoticedthepeopleinthestreetalllookingup--heoftenlooksoutofthewindow."

"Quite!"murmuredSoames.Smitherwasgettinggarrulous!"Ijustwanttolookroundandseeifthere'sanythingtobedone."

"Yes,sir.Idon'tthinkthere'sanythingexceptasmellofmiceinthedining-roomthatwedon'tknowhowtogetridof.It'sfunnytheyshouldbethere,andnotacrumb,sinceMr.Timothytooktonotcomingdown,justbeforethewar.Butthey'renastylittlethings;youneverknowwherethey'lltakeyounext."

"Doesheleavehisbed?"

"Oh!yes,sir;hetakesniceexercisebetweenhisbedandthe


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windowinthemorning,nottoriskachangeofair.Andhe'squitecomfortableinhimself;hashisWillouteverydayregular.It'sagreatconsolationtohim--that."

"Well,Smither,Iwanttoseehim,ifIcan;incasehehasanythingtosaytome."

Smithercolouredupabovehercorsets.

"ItWILLbeanoccasion!"shesaid."ShallItakeyouroundthehouse,sir,whileIsendCooktobreakittohim?"

"No,yougotohim,"saidSoames."Icangoroundthehousebymyself."

Onecouldnotconfesstosentimentbeforeanother,andSoamesfeltthathewasgoingtobesentimentalnosingroundthoseroomssosaturatedwiththepast.WhenSmither,creakingwithexcitement,hadlefthim,Soamesenteredthedining-roomandsniffed.Inhisopinionitwasn'tmice,butincipientwood-rot,andheexaminedthepanelling.Whetheritwasworthacoatofpaint,atTimothy'sage,hewasnotsure.Theroomhadalwaysbeenthemostmoderninthehouse;andonlyafaintsmilecurledSoames'slipsandnostrils.Wallsofarichgreensurmountedtheoakdado;aheavy

metalchandelierhungbyachainfromaceilingdividedbyimitationbeams.ThepictureshadbeenboughtbyTimothy,abargain,onedayatJobson'ssixtyyearsago--threeSnyder"stilllifes,"twofaintlycoloureddrawingsofaboyandagirl,rathercharming,whichboretheinitials"J.R."--TimothyhadalwaysbelievedtheymightturnouttobeJoshuaReynolds,butSoames,whoadmiredthem,haddiscoveredthattheywereonlyJohnRobinson;andadoubtfulMorlandofawhiteponybeingshod.Deep-redplushcurtains,tenhigh-backeddarkmahoganychairswithdeep-redplushseats,aTurkeycarpet,andamahoganydining-tableaslargeastheroomwassmall,suchwasanapartmentwhichSoamescouldrememberunchangedinsoulorbodysincehewasfouryearsold.Helookedespeciallyatthetwodrawings,andthought:

'Ishallbuythoseatthesale.'

Fromthedining-roomhepassedintoTimothy'sstudy.Hedidnotremembereverhavingbeeninthatroom.Itwaslinedfromfloortoceilingwithvolumes,andhelookedatthemwithcuriosity.Onewallseemeddevotedtoeducationalbooks,whichTimothy'sfirmhadpublishedtwogenerationsback--sometimesasmanyastwentycopiesofonebook.Soamesreadtheirtitlesandshuddered.Themiddlewallhadpreciselythesamebooksasusedtobeinthelibraryathisownfather'sinParkLane,fromwhichhededucedthefancythatJamesandhisyoungestbrotherhadgoneouttogetheronedayandboughtabraceofsmalllibraries.Thethirdwallheapproachedwithmoreexcitement.Here,surely,Timothy'sowntaste

wouldbefound.Itwas.Thebooksweredummies.Thefourthwallwasallheavilycurtainedwindow.Andturnedtowardsitwasalargechairwithamahoganyreading-standattached,onwhichayellowishandfoldedcopyofTheTimes,datedJuly6,1914,thedayTimothyfirstfailedtocomedown,asifinpreparationforthewar,seemedwaitingforhimstill.InacornerstoodalargeglobeofthatworldnevervisitedbyTimothy,deeplyconvincedoftheunrealityofeverythingbutEngland,andpermanentlyupsetbythesea,onwhichhehadbeenverysickoneSundayafternoonin1836,outofapleasureboatoffthepieratBrighton,withJuley


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andHester,SwithinandHattyChessman;allduetoSwithin,whowasalwaystakingthingsintohishead,andwho,thankgoodness,hadbeensicktoo.Soamesknewallaboutit,havingheardthetalefiftytimesatleastfromoneorotherofthem.Hewentuptotheglobe,andgaveitaspin;itemittedafaintcreakandmovedaboutaninch,bringingintohispurviewadaddy-long-legswhichhaddiedonitinlatitude44.

'Mausoleum!'hethought.'Georgewasright!'Andhewentoutandupthestairs.Onthehalflandinghestoppedbeforethecaseofstuffedhumming-birdswhichhaddelightedhischildhood.Theylookednotadayolder,suspendedonwiresabovepampas-grass.Ifthecasewereopenedthebirdswouldnotbegintohum,butthewholethingwouldcrumble,hesuspected.Itwouldn'tbeworthputtingthatintothesale!AndsuddenlyhewascaughtbyamemoryofAuntAnn--dearoldAuntAnn--holdinghimbythehandinfrontofthatcaseandsaying:"Look,Soamey!Aren'ttheybrightandpretty,dearlittlehumming-birds!"Soamesrememberedhisownanswer:"Theydon'thum,Auntie."Hemusthavebeensix,inablackvelveteensuitwithalight-bluecollar--herememberedthatsuitwell!AuntAnnwithherringlets,andherspiderykindhands,andhergraveoldaquilinesmile--afineoldlady,AuntAnn!Hemovedonuptothedrawing-roomdoor.Thereoneachsideofitwerethegroupsofminiatures.Thosehewouldcertainlybuyin!

Theminiaturesofhisfouraunts,oneofhisuncleSwithinadolescent,andoneofhisuncleNicholasasaboy.Theyhadallbeenpaintedbyayoungladyfriendofthefamilyatatime,1830,about,whenminiatureswereconsideredverygenteel,andlastingtoo,paintedastheywereonivory.Manyatimehadheheardthetaleofthatyounglady:"Verytalented,mydear;shehadquiteaweaknessforSwithin,andverysoonaftershewentintoaconsumptionanddied:solikeKeats--weoftenspokeofit."

Well,theretheywere!Ann,Juley,Hester,Susan--quiteasmallchild;Swithin,withsky-blueeyes,pinkcheeks,yellowcurls,whitewaistcoat--largeaslife;andNicholas,likeCupidwithaneyeonheaven.Nowhecametothinkofit,UncleNickhadalways

beenratherlikethat--awonderfulmantothelast.Yes,shemusthavehadtalent,andminiatureshadacertainback-wateredcachetoftheirown,littlesubjecttothecurrentsofcompetitiononaestheticChange.Soamesopenedthedrawing-roomdoor.Theroomwasdusted,thefurnitureuncovered,thecurtainsdrawnback,preciselyasifhisauntsstilldwelttherepatientlywaiting.Andathoughtcametohim:WhenTimothydied--whynot?Woulditnotbealmostadutytopreservethishouse--likeCarlyle's--andputupatablet,andshowit?"Specimenofmid-Victorianabode--entrance,oneshilling,withcatalogue."Afterall,itwasthecompletestthing,andperhapsthedeadestintheLondonofto-day.Perfectinitsspecialtasteandculture,if,thatis,hetookdownandcarriedovertohisowncollectionthefourBarbizon

pictureshehadgiventhem.Thestillsky-bluewalls,thegreencurtainspatternedwithredflowersandferns;thecrewel-workedfire-screenbeforethecast-irongrate;themahoganycupboardwithglasswindows,fulloflittleknick-knacks;thebeadedfootstools;Keats,Shelley,Southey,Cowper,Coleridge,Byron's"Corsair"(butnothingelse),andtheVictorianpoetsinabookshelfrow;themarqueteriecabinetlinedwithdimredplush,fulloffamilyrelics;Hester'sfirstfan;thebucklesoftheirmother'sfather'sshoes;threebottledscorpions;andoneveryyellowelephant'stusk,senthomefromIndiabyGreat-uncleEdgarForsyte,whohad


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beeninjute;ayellowbitofpaperproppedup,withspiderywritingonit,recordingGodknewwhat!Andthepicturescrowdingonthewalls--allwater-colourssavethosefourBarbizonslookingliketheforeignerstheywere,anddoubtfulcustomersatthat--picturesbrightandillustrative,"TellingtheBees,""HeyfortheFerry!"andtwointhestyleofFrith,allthimblerigandcrinolines,giventhembySwithin.Oh!many,manypicturesatwhichSoameshadgazedathousandtimesinsuperciliousfascination;amarvellouscollectionofbright,smoothgiltframes.

Andtheboudoir-grandpiano,beautifullydusted,hermeticallysealedasever;andAuntJuley'salbumofpressedseaweedonit.Andthegilt-leggedchairs,strongerthantheylooked.Andononesideofthefireplacethesofaofcrimsonsilk,whereAuntAnn,andafterherAuntJuley,hadbeenwonttosit,facingthelightandboltupright.Andontheothersideofthefiretheonereallyeasychair,backtothelight,forAuntHester.Soamesscreweduphiseyes;heseemedtoseethemsittingthere.Ah!andtheatmosphere--evennow,oftoomanystuffsandwashedlacecurtains,lavenderinbags,anddriedbee'swings.'No,'hethought,'there'snothinglikeitleft;itoughttobepreserved.'And,byGeorge,theymightlaughatit,butforastandardofgentlelifeneverdepartedfrom,forfastidiousnessofskinandeyeandnose

andfeeling,itbeatto-dayhollow--to-daywithitsTubesandcars,itsperpetualsmoking,itscross-legged,bare-neckedgirlsvisibleuptothekneesanddowntothewaistifyoutookthetrouble(agreeabletothesatyrwithineachForsytebuthardlyhisideaofalady),withtheirfeet,too,screwedroundthelegsoftheirchairswhiletheyate,andtheir"Solongs,"andtheir"OldBeans,"andtheirlaughter--girlswhogavehimtheshudderswheneverhethoughtofFleurincontactwiththem;andthehard-eyed,capable,olderwomenwhomanagedlifeandgavehimtheshudderstoo.No!hisoldaunts,iftheyneveropenedtheirminds,theireyes,orverymuchtheirwindows,atleasthadmanners,andastandard,andreverenceforpastandfuture.

Withratherachokyfeelingheclosedthedoorandwenttiptoeingup-stairs.Helookedinataplaceontheway:H'm!inperfectorderoftheeighties,withasortofyellowoilskinpaperonthewalls.Atthetopofthestairshehesitatedbetweenfourdoors.WhichofthemwasTimothy's?Andhelistened.Asoundasofachildslowlydraggingahobby-horseabout,cametohisears.ThatmustbeTimothy!Hetapped,andadoorwasopenedbySmitherveryredintheface.

Mr.Timothywastakinghiswalk,andshehadnotbeenabletogethimtoattend.IfMr.Soameswouldcomeintothebackroom,hecouldseehimthroughthedoor.

Soameswentintothebackroomandstoodwatching.

ThelastoftheoldForsyteswasonhisfeet,movingwiththemostimpressiveslowness,andanairofperfectconcentrationonhisownaffairs,backwardandforwardbetweenthefootofhisbedandthewindow,adistanceofsometwelvefeet.Thelowerpartofhissquareface,nolongerclean-shaven,wascoveredwithsnowybeardclippedasshortasitcouldbe,andhischinlookedasbroadashisbrowwherethehairwasalsoquitewhite,whilenoseandcheeksandbrowwereagoodyellow.Onehandheldastoutstick,


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andtheothergraspedtheskirtofhisJaegerdressing-gown,fromunderwhichcouldbeseenhisbed-sockedanklesandfeetthrustintoJaegerslippers.Theexpressiononhisfacewasthatofacrossedchild,intentonsomethingthathehasnotgot.Eachtimeheturnedhestumpedthestick,andthendraggedit,asiftoshowthathecoulddowithoutit.

"Hestilllooksstrong,"saidSoamesunderhisbreath.

"Oh!yes,sir.Youshouldseehimtakehisbath--it'swonderful;hedoesenjoyitso."

ThosequiteloudwordsgaveSoamesaninsight.Timothyhadresumedhisbabyhood.

"Doeshetakeanyinterestinthingsgenerally?"hesaid,alsoaloud.

"Oh!yes,sir;hisfoodandhisWill.It'squiteasighttoseehimturnitoverandover,nottoreadit,ofcourse;andeverynowandthenheasksthepriceofConsols,andIwriteitonaslateforhim--verylarge.Ofcourse,Ialwayswritethesame,whattheywerewhenhelasttooknotice,in1914.Wegotthedoctortoforbidhimtoreadthepaperwhenthewarbrokeout.Oh!

hedidtakeonaboutthatatfirst.Buthesooncameround,becauseheknewittiredhim;andhe'sawondertoconserveenergyasheusedtocallitwhenmydearmistresseswerealive,blesstheirhearts!Howhedidgoonatthemaboutthat;theywerealwayssoactive,ifyouremember,Mr.Soames."

"WhatwouldhappenifIweretogoin?"askedSoames."Wouldherememberme?ImadehisWill,youknow,afterMissHesterdiedin1907."

"Oh!that,sir,"repliedSmitherdoubtfully,"Icouldn'ttakeonmetosay.Ithinkhemight;hereallyisawonderfulmanforhisage."

Soamesmovedintothedoorway,and,waitingforTimothytoturn,saidinaloudvoice:"UncleTimothy!"

Timothytrailedbackhalf-way,andhalted.

"Eh?"hesaid.

"Soames,"criedSoamesatthetopofhisvoice,holdingouthishand,"SoamesForsyte!"

"No!"saidTimothy,andstumpinghisstickloudlyonthefloor,hecontinuedhiswalk.

"Itdoesn'tseemtowork,"saidSoames.

"No,sir,"repliedSmither,rathercrestfallen;"yousee,hehasn'tfinishedhiswalk.Italwayswasonethingatatimewithhim.Iexpecthe'llaskmethisafternoonifyoucameaboutthegas,andaprettyjobIshallhavetomakehimunderstand."

"Doyouthinkheoughttohaveamanabouthim?"


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Smitherheldupherhands."Aman!Oh!no.Cookandmecanmanageperfectly.Astrangemanaboutwouldsendhimcrazyinnotime.Andmymistresseswouldn'tliketheideaofamaninthehouse.Besides,we'resoproudofhim."

"Isupposethedoctorcomes?"

"Everymorning.Hemakesspecialtermsforsuchaquantity,andMr.Timothy'ssoused,hedoesn'ttakeabitofnotice,excepttoputouthistongue."

"Well,"saidSoames,turningaway,"it'srathersadandpainfultome."

"Oh!sir,"returnedSmitheranxiously,"youmustn'tthinkthat.Nowthathecan'tworryaboutthings,hequiteenjoyshislife,reallyhedoes.AsIsaytoCook,Mr.Timothyismoreofamanthanheeverwas.Yousee,whenhe'snotwalkin',ortakin'hisbath,he'seatin',andwhenhe'snoteatin',he'ssleepingandthereitis.Thereisn'tanacheoracareabouthimanywhere."

"Well,"saidSoames,"there'ssomethinginthat.I'llgodown.Bytheway,letmeseehisWill."

"Ishouldhavetotakemytimeaboutthat,sir;hekeepsitunderhispillow,andhe'dseeme,whilehe'sactive."

"Ionlywanttoknowifit'stheoneImade,"saidSoames;"youtakealookatitsdatesometime,andletmeknow."

"Yes,sir;butI'msureit'sthesame,becausemeandCookwitnessed,youremember,andthere'sournamesonitstill,andwe'veonlydoneitonce."

"Quite!"saidSoames.Hedidremember.SmitherandJanehadbeenproperwitnesses,havingbeenleftnothingintheWillthattheymighthavenointerestinTimothy'sdeath.Ithadbeen--hefully

admitted--analmostimproperprecaution,butTimothyhadwishedit,and,afterall,AuntHesterhadprovidedforthemamply.

"Verywell,"hesaid;"good-bye,Smither.Lookafterhim,andifheshouldsayanythingatanytime,putitdown,andletmeknow."

"Oh!yes,Mr.Soames;I'llbesuretodothat.It'sbeensuchapleasantchangetoseeyou.CookwillbequiteexcitedwhenItellher."

Soamesshookherhandandwentdown-stairs.Hestoodforfullytwominutesbythehat-standwhereonhehadhunghishatsomanytimes.'Soitallpasses,'hewasthinking;'passesandbegins

again.Pooroldchap!'Andhelistened,ifperchancethesoundofTimothytrailinghishobby-horsemightcomedownthewellofthestairs;orsomeghostofanoldfaceshowoverthebanisters,andanoldvoicesay:"Why,it'sdearSoames,andwewereonlysayingthatwehadn'tseenhimforaweek!"

Nothing--nothing!Justthescentofcamphor,anddust-motesinasunbeamthroughthefanlightoverthedoor.Thelittleoldhouse!Amausoleum!And,turningonhisheel,hewentout,andcaughthistrain.


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V

THENATIVEHEATH

"Hisfoot'suponhisnativeheath,Hisname's--ValDartie."

WithsomesuchfeelingdidValDartie,inthefortiethyearofhisage,setoutthatsameThursdaymorningveryearlyfromtheoldmanor-househehadtakenonthenorthsideoftheSussexDowns.HisdestinationwasNewmarket,andhehadnotbeentheresincetheautumnof1899,whenhestoleoverfromOxfordfortheCambridgeshire.Hepausedatthedoortogivehiswifeakiss,andputaflaskofportintohispocket.

"Don'tovertireyourleg,Val,anddon'tbettoomuch."

Withthepressureofherchestagainsthisown,andhereyes

lookingintohis,Valfeltbothlegandpocketsafe.Heshouldbemoderate;Hollywasalwaysright--shehadanaturalaptitude.Itdidnotseemsoremarkabletohim,perhaps,asitmighttoothers,that--halfDartieashewas--heshouldhavebeenperfectlyfaithfultohisyoungfirstcousinduringthetwentyyearssincehemarriedherromanticallyoutintheBoerWar;andfaithfulwithoutanyfeelingofsacrificeorboredom--shewassoquick,soslylyalwaysalittleinfrontofhismood.Beingfirstcousinstheyhaddecided,orratherHollyhad,tohavenochildren;and,thoughalittlesallower,shehadkeptherlooks,herslimness,andthecolourofherdarkhair.Valparticularlyadmiredthelifeofherownshecarriedon,besidescarryingonhis,andridingbettereveryyear.Shekeptuphermusic,shereadanawfullot--

novels,poetry,allsortsofstuff.OutontheirfarminCapeColonyshehadlookedafterallthe"nigger"babiesandwomeninamiraculousmanner.Shewas,infact,--clever;yetmadenofussaboutit,andhadno"side."Thoughnotremarkableforhumility,Valhadcometohavethefeelingthatshewashissuperior,andhedidnotgrudgeit--agreattribute.ItmightbenotedthatheneverlookedatHollywithoutherknowingofit,butthatshelookedathimsometimesunawares.

Hehaskissedherintheporchbecauseheshouldnotbedoingsoontheplatform,thoughshewasgoingtothestationwithhim,todrivethecarback.TannedandwrinkledbyColonialweatherandthewilesinseparablefromhorses,andhandicappedbytheleg

which,weakenedintheBoerWar,hadprobablysavedhislifeinthewarjustpast,Valwasstillmuchashehadbeeninthedaysofhiscourtship;hissmileaswideandcharming,hiseyelashes,ifanything,thickeranddarker,hiseyesscrewedupunderthem,asbrightagrey,hisfrecklesratherdeeper,hishairalittlegrizzledatthesides.HegavetheimpressionofonewhohaslivedactivelyWITHHORSESinasunnyclimate.

Twistingthecarsharproundatthegate,hesaid:


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"WhenisyoungJoncoming?"

"To-day."

"Isthereanythingyouwantforhim?IcouldbringitdownonSaturday."

"No;butyoumightcomebythesametrainasFleur--oneforty."

ValgavetheFordfullrein;hestilldrovelikeamaninanewcountryonbadroads,whorefusestocompromise,andexpectsheavenateveryhole.

"That'sayoungwomanwhoknowsherwayabout,"hesaid."Isay,hasitstruckyou?"

"Yes,"saidHolly.

"UncleSoamesandyourdad--bitawkward,isn'tit?"

"Shewon'tknow,andhewon'tknow,andnothingmustbesaid,ofcourse.It'sonlyforfivedays,Val."

"Stablesecret!Righto!"IfHollythoughtitsafe,itwas.

Glancingslylyroundathim,shesaid:"Didyounoticehowbeautifullysheaskedherself?"

"No!"

"Well,shedid.Whatdoyouthinkofher,Val?"

"Pretty,andclever;butshemightrunoutatanycornerifshegothermonkeyup,Ishouldsay."

"I'mwondering,"Hollymurmured,"whethersheisthemodernyoungwoman.Onefeelsatseacominghomeintoallthis."

"You?Yougetthehangofthingssoquick."

Hollyslidherhandintohiscoat-pocket.

"Youkeeponeintheknow,"saidVal,encouraged."WhatdoyouthinkofthatBelgianfellow,Profond?"

"Ithinkhe'srather'agooddevil.'"

Valgrinned.

"Heseemstomeaqueerfishforafriendofourfamily.Infact,ourfamilyisinprettyqueerwaters,withUncleSoamesmarryinga

Frenchwoman,andyourdadmarryingSoames'sfirst.Ourgrandfatherswouldhavehadfits!"

"Sowouldanybody's,mydear."

"Thiscar,"saidValsuddenly,"wantsrousing;shedoesn'tgetherhindlegsunderherup-hill.IshallhavetogiveherherheadontheslopeifI'mtocatchthattrain."

Therewasthatabouthorseswhichhadpreventedhimfromever


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reallysympathisingwithacar,andtherunningoftheFordunderhisguidance,comparedwithitsrunningunderthatofHolly,wasalwaysnoticeable.Hecaughtthetrain.

"Takecaregoinghome;she'llthrowyoudownifshecan.Good-bye,darling."

"Good-bye,"calledHolly,andkissedherhand.

Inthetrain,afterquarterofanhour'sindecisionbetweenthoughtsofHolly,hismorningpaper,thelookofthebrightday,andhisdimmemoryofNewmarket,Valplungedintotherecessesofasmallsquarebook,allnames,pedigrees,tap-roots,andnotesaboutthemakeandshapeofho

to let by galsworthy, john, 1867-1933

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