The Last and the First by Ivy Compton-Burnett Read Free Book Online

“But that may result in the ultimate good of you all.”
    â€œWhat good will it result in for him?” said Osbert. “Simply in the present sense of possession. In nothing ultimate at all.”
    â€œHe may not know that,” said Roberta. “It is a thing people don’t seem to know. We must hope no one will tell him.”
    â€œSuppose someone did?”
    â€œI don’t see how anyone could. It would be telling him that one day he would die. And no one tells anyone that.”
    â€œHe will have to bequeath his wealth,” said Angus. “That must suggest its being left behind.”
    â€œHas he dared to make a will?” said Erica. “I should not dare to ask him, to seem to picture all he has in other hands. He might never forgive me.”
    â€œHis life is a contrast to mine,” said Eliza. “He can let money do nothing and I have to make it do as much as it can.
    â€œMy grandmother would respect you,” said Erica. “Indeed she already does.”
    â€œI think we respect each other. Our experience and outlook are alike. It seems we have both done and felt more than other people.”
    â€œAnd perhaps they in their own ways have gone further than you,” said Madeline, in a light tone.
    â€œWell, we will leave you,” said Eliza, rising from the table. “You will like to be by yourselves. We will give you the library until you desert us. And we hope that will not be soon.”
    When the time came she and Sir Robert entered the hall to speed the guests.
    â€œThey are a pleasant pair,” she said, looking after them. “And on your own mental level. There is nothing against a friendship with them. It should do something for you all.”
    â€œWe must hope the same will be said on their side,” said Madeline, as if this had been forgotten.
    â€œWe can’t expect to escape judgement,” said Sir Robert. “The judge is Mrs. Grimstone, so we certainly shall not escape it. No doubt she is at the moment asking for the account of us.”
    This was the essential, if not the actual truth. On the return of her grand-children Jocasta looked up and waited in silent question.
    â€œWell, we have been weighed in the balance,” said Erica. “And not found too wanting. Lady Heriot found us unexpectedly like themselves. I saw her being baffled by it.”
    â€œWhy should you be different?”
    â€œI can see some reasons. And so could she. Not of a kind she would mention to us.”
    â€œWell, things are on foot at last. It is a step forward.”
    â€œThat implies steps to follow. And there may be none to follow this.”
    â€œWe can’t tell, and neither can she. These things come about of themselves. They are out of our hands.”
    â€œThose that you mean are not out of Lady Heriot’s. They are securely in them.”
    â€œWell, the future will show.”
    â€œWe may not be in the future. It is one of the things in her hands. You and she have met your match in each other. And I think she knows it.”
    â€œWas any mention made of the daughter’s school?”
    â€œThere was a little talk of it. Nothing very much.”
    â€œShe came and listened to the classes to-day,” said Amy. “The mistresses didn’t seem to like it.”
    â€œI daresay not,” said Jocasta. “It must have seemed unspoken criticism.”
    â€œIt was not always unspoken,” said Amy with a smile.
    â€œWhat kind of thing does she say?”
    â€œShe wants to change things that have always been done in one way.”
    â€œThat does not mean it is the best one.”
    â€œThat is what she says. They say it must be good to have served for so long.”
    â€œI think she is right.”
    â€œSo does she,” said Amy, smiling again.
    â€œIt is never too late to mend,” said another voice, as a slow step was heard. “It appears, Mamma, that that must be her