الفصل الفصل 21 · Charles had just been scolding his Dolly. She deserved the scolding,

. Charles had just been scolding his Dolly. She deserved the scolding,

and had bent before it, but her head, though bloody, was unsubdued, and

her chirrupings began to mingle with his retreating thunder.

“You’ve woken the baby. I knew you would. (Rum-ti-foo, Rackety-tackety

Tompkin!) I’m not responsible for what Uncle Percy does, nor for

anybody else or anything, so there!”

“Who asked him while I was away? Who asked my sister down to meet him?

Who sent them out in the motor day after day?”

“Charles, that reminds me of some poem.”

“Does it indeed? We shall all be dancing to a very different music

presently. Miss Schlegel has fairly got us on toast.”

“I could simply scratch that woman’s eyes out, and to say it’s my fault

is most unfair.”

“It’s your fault, and five months ago you admitted it.”

“I didn’t.”

“You did.”

“Tootle, tootle, playing on the pootle!” exclaimed Dolly, suddenly

devoting herself to the child.

“It’s all very well to turn the conversation, but Father would never

have dreamt of marrying as long as Evie was there to make him

comfortable. But you must needs start match-making. Besides, Cahill’s

too old.”

“Of course, if you’re going to be rude to Uncle Percy—”

“Miss Schlegel always meant to get hold of Howards End, and, thanks to

you, she’s got it.”

“I call the way you twist things round and make them hang together most

unfair. You couldn’t have been nastier if you’d caught me flirting.

Could he, diddums?”

“We’re in a bad hole, and must make the best of it. I shall answer the

pater’s letter civilly. He’s evidently anxious to do the decent thing.

But I do not intend to forget these Schlegels in a hurry. As long as

they’re on their best behaviour—Dolly, are you listening?—we’ll behave,

too. But if I find them giving themselves airs, or monopolizing my

father, or at all ill-treating him, or worrying him with their artistic

beastliness, I intend to put my foot down, yes, firmly. Taking my

mother’s place! Heaven knows what poor old Paul will say when the news

reaches him.”

The interlude closes. It has taken place in Charles’s garden at Hilton.

He and Dolly are sitting in deck-chairs, and their motor is regarding

them placidly from its garage across the lawn. A short-frocked edition

of Charles also regards them placidly; a perambulator edition is

squeaking; a third edition is expected shortly. Nature is turning out

Wilcoxes in this peaceful abode, so that they may inherit the earth.