The Mighty and Their Fall by Ivy Compton-Burnett Read Free Book Online

so like someone else could almost do instead of her.”
    â€œNot in this case,” said Ninian. “And not in any real one. No one can take the place of anyone else.”
    â€œLavinia did take this one,” said Leah. “But she has to go back from it now.”
    â€œWhy, what an odd phrase!” said Miss Starkie.
    â€œIt meant what she meant it to mean,” said Hengist.
    â€œDear, dear, how you overwork your words! I feel quite sorry for them.”
    â€œI have never seen Lavinia cry before,” said Leah, in a sudden awed tone.
    â€œYou need not see it now,” said Hengist, roughly.
    â€œNo, do not notice it,” said Miss Starkie, speaking very low. “You know how you feel when you cry.”
    â€œI sometimes do it to make people notice me.”
    â€œThat is because you are young,” said Hengist.
    â€œI will cry with Lavinia,” said Hugo. “And thenpeople will have to notice us. And I hope they will be upset.”
    â€œEgbert, have you taken a vow of silence?” said Ninian.
    â€œIt would be better if I had, Father. It would be an excuse.”
    â€œIt is not such a difficult occasion.”
    â€œI think it is,” said Teresa, without a smile. “It has to be; and not only for them.”
    â€œYou are finding it so? You need not be alarmed. They are no worse than they seem.”
    â€œI am not alarmed,” said Teresa, as if she might be other things.
    â€œWould you like to have some children?” said Leah, looking at her. “I mean some of your own?”
    â€œShe could hardly want any more of mine,” said Ninian.
    â€œWe can’t help being here,” said Hengist.
    â€œNow who suggested that you could speak?” said Miss Starkie. “You should think before you speak.”
    â€œI don’t feel I am here,” said Hugo. “And I hope nobody knows I am.”
    â€œI should not be,” said Egbert, “if it were not for Lavinia. I get my reality from her, and always shall.”
    â€œThere, Lavinia!” said Miss Starkie. “There is a foundation for your future.”
    â€œAnd what is that?” said Ninian.
    â€œHer brother’s dependence on her, Mr. Middleton. It is a rare and real thing,” said Miss Starkie, looking aside as she relinquished restraint.
    â€œThey must release each other in time for their lives to grow.”
    â€œReleasing is a very wicked thing,” murmured Egbert.
    â€œWhat did you say?” said Ninian.
    â€œI said it to Lavinia, Father.”
    â€œNow will you say it to me?”
    â€œI said that releasing was—might be a wicked thing.”
    â€œOh!” said Ninian, in light dismissal of this. “The same old puzzle for you! That I do not belong to anyone, body and soul.”
    â€œDoes he not?” said Lavinia to her brother.
    Ninian looked sharply at her, but checked his words.
    â€œHow much will you belong to me?” said Teresa. “With all this force drawing you away.”
    â€œAs much as it is right to belong to anyone. As much as I shall ask you to belong to me. But as much as that for our lives.”
    â€œThere is the difference,” said Lavinia. “It cannot come to an end. No, I shall not repeat it, Father. We must be allowed to speak to each other. We have not been struck dumb.”
    â€œI think people should talk to me,” said Hugo. “It is their duty to include me in the occasion. Suppose I felt I was an alien after all!”
    â€œI will talk to you,” said Teresa. “And ask you about this family, and all that is hidden in it. I feel I have never met one before.”
    â€œYou have not met this one. A family is itself. And of course things are hidden in it. They could hardly be exposed. You will be wise not to know about them. Think of Miss Starkie, spending her life trying to keep them hidden.”
    â€œI should not aim at her level. But I need some help on my