fraternity-第2章

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t　was　destroyed。〃

Cecilia　looked　hastily　round；　no　one　had　heard。　　She　moved　a　little　sideways；　and　became　merged　in　another　group。　　Her　father's　lips　continued　moving。　　He　had　resumed　the　patient　attitude　which　so　slightly　suggested　mules。　　A　voice　behind　her　said：　〃I　do　think　your　father　is　such　an　interesting　man；　Mrs。　Dallison。〃

Cecilia　turned　and　saw　a　woman　of　middle　height；　with　her　hair　done　in　the　early　Italian　fashion；　and　very　small；　dark；　lively　eyes；　which　looked　as　though　her　love　of　living　would　keep　her　busy　each　minute　of　her　day　and　all　the　minutes　that　she　could　occupy　of　everybody　else's　days。

〃Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace？　　Oh！　how　do　you　do？　　I've　been　meaning　to　come　and　see　you　for　quite　a　long　time；　but　I　know　you're　always　so　busy。〃

With　doubting　eyes；　half　friendly　and　half　defensive；　as　though　chaffing　to　prevent　herself　from　being　chaffed；　Cecilia　looked　at　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace；　whom　she　had　met　several　times　at　Bianca's　house。　　The　widow　of　a　somewhat　famous　connoisseur；　she　was　now　secretary　of　the　League　for　Educating　Orphans　who　have　Lost　both　Parents；　vice…president　of　the　Forlorn　Hope　for　Maids　in　Peril；　and　treasurer　to　Thursday　Hops　for　Working　Girls。　　She　seemed　to　know　every　man　and　woman　who　was　worth　knowing；　and　some　besides；　to　see　all　picture…shows；　to　hear　every　new　musician；　and　attend　the　opening　performance　of　every　play。　　With　regard　to　literature；　she　would　say　that　authors　bored　her；　but　she　was　always　doing　them　good　turns；　inviting　them　to　meet　their　critics　or　editors；　and　sometimesthough　this　was　not　generally　knownpulling　them　out　of　the　holes　they　were　prone　to　get　into；　by　lending　them　a　sum　of　moneyafter　which；　as　she　would　plaintively　remark；　she　rarely　saw　them　more。

She　had　a　peculiar　spiritual　significance　to　Mrs。　Stephen　Dallison；　being　just　on　the　borderline　between　those　of　Bianca's　friends　whom　Cecilia　did　not　wish　and　those　whom　she　did　wish　to　come　to　her　own　house；　for　Stephen；　a　barrister　in　an　official　position；　had　a　keen　sense　of　the　ridiculous。　　Since　Hilary　wrote　books　and　was　a　poet；　and　Bianca　painted；　their　friends　would　naturally　be　either　interesting　or　queer；　and　though　for　Stephen's　sake　it　was　important　to　establish　which　was　which；　they　were　so　very　often　both。　　Such　people　stimulated；　taken　in　small　doses；　but　neither　on　her　husband's　account　nor　on　her　daughter's　did　Cecilia　desire　that　they　should　come　to　her　in　swarms。　　Her　attitude　of　mind　towards　them　was；　in　fact；　similar…a　sort　of　pleasurable　dread…to　that　in　which　she　purchased　the　Westminster　Gazette　to　feel　the　pulse　of　social　progress。　　。

Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace's　dark　little　eyes　twinkled。

〃I　hear　that　Mr。　Stonethat　is　your　father's　name；　I　thinkis　writing　a　book　which　will　create　quite　a　sensation　when　it　comes　out。〃

Cecilia　bit　her　lips。　　〃I　hope　it　never　will　come　out；〃　she　was　on　the　point　of　saying。

〃What　will　it　be　called？〃　　asked　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace。　　〃I　gather　that　it's　a　book　of　Universal　Brotherhood。　　That's　so　nice！〃

Cecilia　made　a　movement　of　annoyance。　　〃Who　told　you？〃

〃Ah！〃　said　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace；　〃I　do　think　your　sister　gets　such　attractive　people　at　her　At　Homes。　　They　all　take　such　interest　in　things。〃

A　little　surprised　at　herself；　Cecilia　answered　〃Too　much　for　me！〃

Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace　smiled。　　〃I　mean　in　art　and　social　questions。　　Surely　one　can't　be　too　interested　in　them？〃

Cecilia　said　rather　hastily：

〃Oh　no；　of　course　not。〃　　And　both　ladies　looked　around　them。　　A　buzz　of　conversation　fell　on　Cecilia's　ears。

〃Have　you　seen　the　'Aftermath'？　　It's　really　quite　wonderful！〃

〃Poor　old　chap！　　he's　so　rococo。。。。〃

〃There's　a　new　man。

〃She's　very　sympathetic。

〃But　the　condition　of　the　poor。。。。

〃Is　that　Mr。　Balladyce？　　Oh；　really。

〃It　gives　you　such　a　feeling　of　life。

〃Bourgeois！。。。〃

The　voice　of　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace　broke　through：　〃But　do　please　tell　me　who　is　that　young　girl　with　the　young　man　looking　at　the　picture　over　there。　　She's　quite　charming！〃

Cecilia's　cheeks　went　a　very　pretty　pink。

〃Oh；　that's　my　little　daughter。〃

〃Really！　　Have　you　a　daughter　as　big　as　that？　　Why；　she　must　be　seventeen！〃

〃Nearly　eighteen！〃

〃What　is　her　name？〃

〃Thyme；〃　said　Cecilia；　with　a　little　smile。　　She　felt　that　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace　was　about　to　say：　'How　charming！'

Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace　saw　her　smile　and　paused。　　〃Who　is　the　young　man　with　her？〃

〃My　nephew；　Martin　Stone。〃

〃The　son　of　your　brother　who　was　killed　with　his　wife　in　that　dreadful　Alpine　accident？　　He　looks　a　very　decided　sort　of　young　man。　He's　got　that　new　look。　　What　is　he？〃

〃He's　very　nearly　a　doctor。　　I　never　know　whether　he's　quite　finished　or　not。〃

〃I　thought　perhaps　he　might　have　something　to　do　with　Art。〃

〃Oh　no；　he　despises　Art。〃

〃And　does　your　daughter　despise　it；　too？〃

〃No；　she's　studying　it。〃

〃Oh；　really！　　How　interesting！　　I　do　think　the　rising　generation　amusing；　don't　you？　　They're　so　independent。〃

Cecilia　looked　uneasily　at　the　rising　generation。　　They　were　standing　side　by　side　before　the　picture；　curiously　observant　and　detached；　exchanging　short　remarks　and　glances。　　They　seemed　to　watch　all　these　circling；　chatting；　bending；　smiling　people　with　a　sort　of　youthful；　matter…of…fact；　half…hostile　curiosity。　　The　young　man　had　a　pale　face；　clean…shaven；　with　a　strong　jaw；　a　long；　straight　nose；　a　rather　bumpy　forehead　which　did　not　recede；　and　clear　grey　eyes。　　His　sarcastic　lips　were　firm　and　quick；　and　he　looked　at　people　with　disconcerting　straightness。　　The　young　girl　wore　a　blue…green　frock。　Her　face　was　charming；　with　eager；　hazel…grey　eyes；　a　bright　colour；　and　fluffy　hair　the　colour　of　ripe　nuts。

〃That's　your　sister's　picture；　'The　Shadow；'　they're　looking　at；　isn't　it？〃　　asked　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace。　　〃I　remember　seeing　it　on　Christmas　Day；　and　the　little　model　who　was　sitting　for　itan　attractive　type！　　Your　brother…in…law　told　me　how　interested　you　all　were　in　her。　　Quite　a　romantic　story；　wasn't　it；　about　her　fainting　from　want　of　food　when　she　first　came　to　sit？〃

Cecilia　murmured　something。　　Her　hands　were　moving　nervously；　she　looked　ill　at　ease。

These　signs　passed　unperceived　by　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace；　whose　eyes　were　busy。

〃In　the　F。H。M。P。；　of　course；　I　see　a　lot　of　young　girls　placed　in　delicate　positions；　just　on　the　borders；　don't　you　know？　　You　should　really　join　the　F。H。M。P。；　Mrs。　Dallison。　　It's　a　first…rate　thing　most　absorbing　work。〃

The　doubting　deepened　in　Cecilia's　eyes。

〃Oh；　it　must　be！〃　she　said。　　〃I've　so　little　time。〃

Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace　went　on　at　once。

〃Don't　you　think　that　we　live　in　the　most　interesting　days？　　There　are　such　a　lot　of　movements　going　on。　　It's　quite　exciting。　　We　all　feel　that　we　can't　shut　our　eyes　any　longer　to　social　questions。　　I　mean　the　condition　of　the　people　alone　is　enough　to　give　one　nightmare！〃

〃Yes；　yes；〃　said　Cecilia；　〃it　is　dreadful；　of　course。

〃Politicians　and　officials　are　so　hopeless；　one　can't　look　for　anything　from　them。〃

Cecilia　drew　herself　up。　　〃Oh；　do　you　think　so？〃　　she　said。

〃I　was　just　talking　to　Mr。　Balladyce。　　He　says　that　Art　and　Literature　must　be　put　on　a　new　basis　altogether。〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Cecilia；　〃really？　　Is　he　that　funny　little　man？〃

〃I　think　he's　so　monstrously　clever。〃

Cecilia　answered　quickly：　〃I　knowI　know。　　Of　course；　something　must　be　done。〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace　absently；　〃I　think　we　all　feel　that。　　Oh；　do　tell　me！　　I've　been　talking　to　such　a　delightful　personjust　the　type　you　see　when　you　go　into　the　Citythousands　of　them；　all　in　such　good　black　coats。　　It's　so　unusual　to　really　meet　one　nowadays；　and　they're　so　refreshing；　they　have　such　nice　simple　views。　　There　he　is；　standing　just　behind　your　sister。〃

Cecilia　by　a　nervous　gesture　indicated　that　she　recognized　the　personality　alluded　to。　　〃Oh；　yes；〃　she　said；　〃Mr。　Purcey。　　I　don't　know　why　he　comes　to　see　us。〃

〃I　think　he's　so　delicious！〃　said　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace　dreamily。　Her　little　dark　eyes；　like　bees；　had　flown　to　sip　honey　from　the　flower　in　questiona　man　of　broad　build　and　medium　height；　dressed。　with　accuracy；　who　seemed　just　a　little　out　of　his　proper　bed。　　His　mustachioed　mouth　wore　a　set　smile；　his　cheerful　face　was　rather　red；　with　a　forehead　of　no　extravagant　height　or　breadth；　and　a　conspicuous　jaw；　his　hair　was　thick　and　light　in　colour；　and　his　eyes　were　small；　grey；　and　shrewd。　　He　was　looking　at　a　picture。

〃He's　so　delightfully　unconscious；〃　murmured　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace。　　〃He　didn't　even　seem　to　know　that　there　was　a　problem　of　the　lower　classes。〃

〃Did　he　tell　you　that　he　had　a　picture？〃　　asked　Cecilia　gloomily。

〃Oh　yes；　by　Harpignies；　with　the　accent　on　the　'pig。'　　It's　worth　three　times　what　he　gave　for　it。　　It's　so　nice　to　be　made　to　feel　that　there　is　still　all　that　mass　of　people　just　simply　measuring　everything　by　what　they　gave　for　it。〃

〃And　did　he　tell　you　my　grandfather　Carfax's　dictum　in　the　Banstock　case？〃　　muttered　Cecilia。

〃Oh　yes：　'The　man　who　does　not　know　his　own　mind　should　be　made　an　Irishman　by　Act　of　Parliament。'　　He　said　it　was　so　awfully　good。〃

〃He　would；〃　replied　Cecilia。

〃He　seems　to　depress　you；　rather！〃

〃Oh　no；　I　believe　he's　quite　a　nice　sort　of　person。　　One　can't　be　rude　to　him；　he　really　did　what　he　thought　a　very　kind　thing　to　my　father。　　That's　how　we　came　to　know　him。　　Only　it's　rather　trying　when　he　will　come　to　call　regularly。　　He　gets　a　little　on　one's　nerves。〃

〃Ah；　that's　just　what　I　feel　is　so　jolly　about　him；　no　one　would　ever　get　on　his　nerves。　　I　do　think　we've　got　too　many　nerves；　don't　you？　Here's　your　brother…in…law。　　He's　such　an　uncommon…looking　man；　I　want　to　have　a　talk　with　him　about　that　little　model。　　A　country　girl；　wasn't　she？〃

She　had　turned　her　head　towards　a　tall　man　with　a　very　slight　stoop　and　a　brown；　thin；　bearded　face；　who　was　approaching　from　the　door。　She　did　not　see　that　Cecilia　had　flushed；　and　was　looking　at　her　almost　angrily。　　The　tall　thin　man　put　his　hand　on　Cecilia's　arm；　saying　gently：　〃Hallo　Cis！　　Stephen　here　yet？〃

Cecilia　shook　her　head。

〃You　know　；　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace；　Hilary？〃

The　tall　man　bowed。　　His　hazel…coloured　eyes　were　shy；　gentle；　and　deep…set；　his　eyebrows；　hardly　ever　still；　gave　him　a　look　of　austere　whimsicality。　　His　dark　brown　hair　was　very　lightly　touched　with　grey；　and　a　frequent　kindly　smile　played　on　his　lips。　　His　unmannerismed　manner　was　quiet　to　the　point　of　extinction。　　He　had　long；　thin；　brown　hands；　and　nothing　peculiar　about　his　dress。

〃I'll　leave　you　to　talk　to　Mrs。　Tallents　Smallpeace；〃　Cecilia　said。

A　knot　of　people　round　Mr。　Balladyce　prevented　her　from　moving　far；　however；　and　the　voice　of　Mrs。　Smallpeace　travelled　to　her　ears。

〃I　was　talking　about　that　little　model。　　It　was　so　good　of　you　to　take　such　interest　in　the　girl。　　I　wondered　whether　we　could　do　anything　for　her。〃

Cecilia's　hearing　was　too　excellent　to　miss　the　tone　of　Hilary's　reply：

〃Oh；　thank　you；　I　don't　think　so。〃

〃I　fancied　perhaps　you　might　feel　that　our　Society…hers　is　an　unsatisfactory　profession　for　young　girls！〃

Cecilia　saw　the　back　of　Hilary's　neck　grow　red。　　She　turned　her　head　away。

〃Of