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
  • THE END OF

    THE END OF

    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。
  • 本草蒙筌

    本草蒙筌

    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。
  • My Garden Acquaintance

    My Garden Acquaintance

    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。
  • 春日游苑喜雨应诏

    春日游苑喜雨应诏

    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。
  • 日本国考略

    日本国考略

    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。
热门推荐
  • 无尽的剑道

    无尽的剑道

    一个梦,改变一个少年的一生。是重蹈覆辙,还是逆天改命。看一位少年是如何持剑行天下,走上一条无尽的剑道之路。
  • 太原诗钞

    太原诗钞

    本书是太原市委宣传部组织整理出版的歌咏太原人、事、物等相关诗歌的结集出版。本书上起上古歌谣,下至当代诗人的现代诗,精选300首,纵横二千多年,是一部展示太原历史和人文的优秀作品。诗集为了方便读者阅读,附有作者简介、题解以及简要的注释。
  • 一本古书惹的祸

    一本古书惹的祸

    轩辕在逐鹿之战后将自己封印在古书,究竟谁能得到这本书。谁在冥冥中解开封印,然后又成为超越轩辕的存在。
  • 封神之魂

    封神之魂

    吃个饭被兵抓,逃个跑被山夹,见个师傅被犁拉,当个太子被爹追杀……没错,这就是那个特么悲伤的故事。武王伐纣里两度登场的红光酱油男——殷郊。你可不可以不要死!(以上纯属搞笑,但本书绝无搞笑)--------------------------------来自对《封神演义》原著的重新演绎,如果你和我一样是封神迷,那它就是一本专门为你而写的书。(每日1-3更,第一更18:30,第二更23:30,有时13:30加一更。)
  • 而立闲语

    而立闲语

    本书为作者自选散文集。书中主要描写了作者对家乡、对人生、对儿女亲情的种种思考。
  • 无量之尊

    无量之尊

    害怕争斗,就不要选择修真这条道路,做个生老病死的卑微凡人吧!一个卑微的奴仆,不屈于平凡的灵魂,一步步超脱生死,不坠轮回!成就无量至尊!
  • 命世之才

    命世之才

    善恶一念之间,向经典武侠致敬,用最新颖的故事讲述武侠故事。
  • 冒险家的史诗

    冒险家的史诗

    这是一部半成品,坑深勿入,坑深勿入,坑深勿入!
  • 女帝之男儿心计

    女帝之男儿心计

    本土女尊,大女子主义严重,冷血、嚣张、霸道。一夕宫主,一夕为奴,这是他,不甘的他,挣扎不止,她既然不珍惜他,又凭何让他心甘情愿依附于她?万年追随,满心满意,这是他,顺从的他,天姿国色,玉貌花容,这是他,恐慌的他,医术超群,仙界一尊,这是他,退缩的他,不想再看见她了,她又不喜欢他,可是她一个命令,他还是乖乖会到,因为那是他的主子,那是她。还有他,他,他他他……他们都是不管愿意不愿意,都被命运将一生系在了她身上的男人。这不单是女主的故事,这还是属于一堆男人的故事。
  • 冷酷总裁:恋上小菜鸟

    冷酷总裁:恋上小菜鸟

    初出茅庐的大学生秦夏夏,怀揣着满腔热血,进入了冷氏。高兴之余,被死党郝丽丽拉去酒吧庆祝的秦夏夏却在这入职的前一天晚上得罪了她的上司冷氏集团的总裁冷陌。自己却还浑然不知...这梁子算是结下了然而接下来发生的一系列事情却出乎了秦夏夏的意料,遭同事冷眼、恶搞;弟弟突然病倒,急需一大笔的医药费,遇到好心人却稀里糊涂被人拉去民政局扯了证;设计作品被上司抄袭,自己竟无故成为抄袭者?一连串的事情让秦夏夏几乎崩溃,无法招架。然而一次次遇险却又一次次化险为夷,到底是谁在帮她?