Mother and Son by Ivy Compton-Burnett Read Free Book Online Page B

you.”
    â€œDoes he really upset you, dear?” said Emma, on Miss Burke’s return, as if she had divined this passage.
    â€œNo, of course he does not. He and I will be the best of friends. He is a beautiful cat.”
    â€œAh, the lady does not like you, Plautus. You must promise me not to worry her. Now look me in the face and promise.”
    Emma held Plautus up before her, and he looked at nothing while he awaited his release, and on gaining it began to wash, as though to rid himself of some contamination.
    â€œHe is always licking himself,” said Miss Burke, in an equivocal tone.
    â€œYes, cats are the cleanest of creatures,” said Hester, in agreement.
    â€œI know, dear, I know,” said Emma, leaning forward and laying her hand on Miss Burke’s. “Your heart is given to dogs.”
    â€œI do not like animals in the house at all,” said Miss Burke, who was true to herself, and therefore perhaps could not be false to any man. “They are in the way and they make extra work.”
    â€œAnd you have had enough work, you poor, dear, useful one. You must be so proud, and think we shouldbe so ashamed. And now here is Hester threatening to rise to your level, and saying it is her duty, or her destiny or something puffed up. So tell her what you know about it, which must be all that is known, and spare her nothing.”
    â€œWell, I know it is my destiny,” said Miss Burke.
    â€œWell, tell her how nobly you fulfil it. Tell her what employers are like without meaning it, or even meaning it, which is quite unspeakable, though you have the courage to speak of it. And tell her how hurt Plautus is by the thought of her leaving him.”
    Miss Burke was checked by the last suggestion.
    â€œThere is nothing heroic in losing the provision that was made for one,” said Hester, in a quiet, controlled tone, glancing at Miss Burke. “It does make me feel rather brave to be thrown on the world at forty-nine. But when courage is called for, what can we do but have it?”
    â€œWell, what of me, bearing my loneliness with simple resolution?” said Emma, clasping her hands. “And what of this dear one, serving others all the days of her life? It seems quite common to be brave. There is no need to be eager about it.”
    â€œI have not the courage to live on charity any more than Miss Burke has.”
    â€œI have the courage but not the chance,” said the latter. “And I should call it not being above accepting generosity.”
    â€œThere, Hester, you can call it that, and accept it for my sake, and be living for others all the time. And if you work, you will be living for yourself, and how couldyou dream of doing that? It is what I do myself, and I never dare to think of it. The very thought would drag one down, or perhaps make one see how low one is.”
    â€œYou would not say that Miss Burke lived for herself.”
    â€œI should like to,” said the latter. “When my mind is not on my work, I daresay I do.”
    â€œThere, Hester, your mind might not be on your work. And think how dishonest that would be. Do tell her, Miss Burke, as you know about it.”
    â€œDo you think Mrs. Hume would engage me?” said Hester. “I need not tell her I have never had a post before.”
    â€œI think she might,” said Miss Burke. “You are better educated than I am, and of a different class. That is how she would see it. And not to have had other posts, not to have needed to have them, might make her respect you.”
    â€œScheming for respect,” said Emma. “It is very lowering, Hester. And I thought she wanted a companion. Or does she really want one?”
    â€œShe wants someone who will rise to emergencies,” said Miss Burke. “It may be a house where they occur.”
    â€œI can do no manner of work,” said Hester. “I toil not, neither do I spin——”
    â€œYes, you can