登陆注册
19572200000003

第3章

She wrote to them frequently during the winter--more frequently than she wrote to her mother.Her letters were always prosperous.Florence she found perfectly sweet, Naples a dream, but very whiffy.In Rome one had simply to sit still and feel.

Philip, however, declared that she was improving.He was particularly gratified when in the early spring she began to visit the smaller towns that he had recommended."In a place like this," she wrote, "one really does feel in the heart of things, and off the beaten track.

Looking out of a Gothic window every morning, it seems impossible that the middle ages have passed away." The letter was from Monteriano, and concluded with a not unsuccessful description of the wonderful little town.

"It is something that she is contented," said Mrs.

Herriton."But no one could live three months with Caroline Abbott and not be the better for it."Just then Irma came in from school, and she read her mother's letter to her, carefully correcting any grammatical errors, for she was a loyal supporter of parental authority--Irma listened politely, but soon changed the subject to hockey, in which her whole being was absorbed.

They were to vote for colours that afternoon--yellow and white or yellow and green.What did her grandmother think?

Of course Mrs.Herriton had an opinion, which she sedately expounded, in spite of Harriet, who said that colours were unnecessary for children, and of Philip, who said that they were ugly.She was getting proud of Irma, who had certainly greatly improved, and could no longer be called that most appalling of things--a vulgar child.She was anxious to form her before her mother returned.So she had no objection to the leisurely movements of the travellers, and even suggested that they should overstay their year if it suited them.

Lilia's next letter was also from Monteriano, and Philip grew quite enthusiastic.

"They've stopped there over a week!" he cried.

"Why! I shouldn't have done as much myself.They must be really keen, for the hotel's none too comfortable.""I cannot understand people," said Harriet.

"What can they be doing all day? And there is no church there, Isuppose."

"There is Santa Deodata, one of the most beautiful churches in Italy.""Of course I mean an English church," said Harriet stiffly."Lilia promised me that she would always be in a large town on Sundays.""If she goes to a service at Santa Deodata's, she will find more beauty and sincerity than there is in all the Back Kitchens of Europe.

The Back Kitchen was his nickname for St.James's, a small depressing edifice much patronized by his sister.She always resented any slight on it, and Mrs.Herriton had to intervene.

"Now, dears, don't.Listen to Lilia's letter.

'We love this place, and I do not know how I shall ever thank Philip for telling me it.It is not only so quaint, but one sees the Italians unspoiled in all their simplicity and charm here.The frescoes are wonderful.Caroline, who grows sweeter every day, is very busy sketching.'

"

"Every one to his taste!" said Harriet, who always delivered a platitude as if it was an epigram.She was curiously virulent about Italy, which she had never visited, her only experience of the Continent being an occasional six weeks in the Protestant parts of Switzerland.

"Oh, Harriet is a bad lot!" said Philip as soon as she left the room.His mother laughed, and told him not to be naughty; and the appearance of Irma, just off to school, prevented further discussion.Not only in Tracts is a child a peacemaker.

"One moment, Irma," said her uncle."I'm going to the station.I'll give you the pleasure of my company."They started together.Irma was gratified;but conversation flagged, for Philip had not the art of talking to the young.Mrs.Herriton sat a little longer at the breakfast table, re-reading Lilia's letter.Then she helped the cook to clear, ordered dinner, and started the housemaid turning out the drawing-room, Tuesday being its day.The weather was lovely, and she thought she would do a little gardening, as it was quite early.She called Harriet, who had recovered from the insult to St.James's, and together they went to the kitchen garden and began to sow some early vegetables.

"We will save the peas to the last; they are the greatest fun," said Mrs.Herriton, who had the gift of making work a treat.

She and her elderly daughter always got on very well, though they had not a great deal in common.Harriet's education had been almost too successful.

As Philip once said, she had "bolted all the cardinal virtues and couldn't digest them." Though pious and patriotic, and a great moral asset for the house, she lacked that pliancy and tact which her mother so much valued, and had expected her to pick up for herself.Harriet, if she had been allowed, would have driven Lilia to an open rupture, and, what was worse, she would have done the same to Philip two years before, when he returned full of passion for Italy, and ridiculing Sawston and its ways.

"It's a shame, Mother!" she had cried."Philip laughs at everything--the Book Club, the Debating Society, the Progressive Whist, the bazaars.People won't like it.We have our reputation.

A house divided against itself cannot stand."Mrs.Herriton replied in the memorable words, "Let Philip say what he likes, and he will let us do what we like." And Harriet had acquiesced.

They sowed the duller vegetables first, and a pleasant feeling of righteous fatigue stole over them as they addressed themselves to the peas.Harriet stretched a string to guide the row straight, and Mrs.Herriton scratched a furrow with a pointed stick.At the end of it she looked at her watch.

"It's twelve! The second post's in.

Run and see if there are any letters."

同类推荐
  • 佛说希有挍量功德经

    佛说希有挍量功德经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 续修台湾府志

    续修台湾府志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 风月堂诗话

    风月堂诗话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 栾城遗言

    栾城遗言

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 谐铎

    谐铎

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 花心校草的满分爱恋

    花心校草的满分爱恋

    一场分手的闹剧,让两个原本没有任何交集的两人走到了一起。他是她眼中花心又嚣张的校草,她是他眼里善良又愚蠢的笨蛋。可为嘛,这个可恶的校草总是缠着她?
  • 报告王爷,王妃要爬墙

    报告王爷,王妃要爬墙

    被鸟粪砸中,一朝穿越,成为父母皆亡,不受宠的将军府大小姐。他,是大西朝最不耻的四王爷,因他杀人如麻,调戏良家妇女,性情捉摸不定,司马二少爷竟敢把个不受宠的嫡大小姐,从农庄接回嫁给自己。百里如雪的白纸,靡靡哀音,纸钱纸人纸马,应该够做一份大的聘礼了。只是,得司马安然者,得天下。他的妻,似乎总是那么优秀,那么出人意料,她是他的妻,他是她的夫,那么,别的男人要是敢多看她一眼,剜了。本王的妻,要是有一天你知道我的目的,你可还会这样笑着对本王说,夫君,君当作磐石,妾当作蒲苇,蒲苇纫如丝,磐石无转移。情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 幽冥眼之鬼王出山

    幽冥眼之鬼王出山

    它就在你身后!闭上双眼,感受身边的世界,你所看到的并非为真。怨灵索命;巫术通天&古墓中走出的秦国大将&日本先祖竟是北疆一个供奉颯巫的流寇民族……伴随着九幽冥界的开启,一个个谜题将就此解开&幽冥再启,万鬼臣服。本书慢热,请先收藏,待养肥后再杀!(微搞笑!)
  • 狼刑

    狼刑

    狼之刑在于,变懦弱为顽强,变不争为抗争。且看现代穿越人高适,如何让一群引颈待戮的绵羊成长为纵横天下的恶狼。赳赳男儿,有道是:三尺青峰在手,痛饮敌人颈上热血,不亦快哉;娇俏美人入抱,身着绫罗若隐若现,不胜风流;百万雄师藏胸,背水纵兵十荡十决,不吝慷慨;……
  • 步步惊婚:总裁的心尖前妻

    步步惊婚:总裁的心尖前妻

    前男友抛弃自己,娶了更有钱的女人。婚礼当天她才知道,那个女人竟然是自己的继妹妹。他说,你需要报复吗?我可以帮你。她却不知道,他也是带着目的……
  • 莫道谷

    莫道谷

    天神沧济与冥王炙岙大战于不周山,撕开六界缝隙,将处于六界之外的莫道谷中的一条魔龙放出,天神耗尽功力屠杀魔龙,魔龙一魄遁入轮回,千年之后化身为王,所到之处皆为黑夜,是为永夜王。魔龙龙眼坠落人间,化作人形,历经沧桑,是选择和永夜王联手一统六界还是屠杀永夜,保得天下安宁?
  • 夜笙圣曲

    夜笙圣曲

    一个人称王不是王,难得的是让所有人都坐上属于自己的王座。一个孤独的血精灵,他会用自己的行动证明艾露恩真正的教义,解放族人的思想和灵魂,让他们去追寻属于自己的未来。这不是一个称王称霸的故事,在这里,有的只是一个孤独的寻者在寻找一个解放世界的真理和属于自己的命运与归宿。
  • 好逑传

    好逑传

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 陌霏有爱

    陌霏有爱

    “针不扎在你身上,你永远不知道有多痛。”伊陌从来没想过会爱上这个自己曾经铁了心要杀死的男人,但老天就是开了这么个不大不小的玩笑,她本以为敲开了他冰封的心门,可没想里面还有无数道锁,放弃吗?笑话,我伊陌爱了,便是一辈子,自欺欺人也好,冷漠薄情也罢,这一生,我都跟定你了!
  • 位面神将

    位面神将

    无敌武将杀入位面战场,落日落月远战无敌,神鬼乱舞近战披靡,五雷轰顶秒杀对手,狂雷天牢困杀无影,烈火旋灯单闯敌营,伏兵连阵围杀成形,鬼哭神嚎天地无用,消灭对手决不留情。简单来说,这是一个顶尖轮回者重生之后在各位面大杀四方的故事。主角技能以《三国群英传》为主,夹杂别的技能为辅。