they would have been brushed aside by the far more agreeable prospect of planning a lavish wedding. For it would be lavish, as all her entertainments were lavish, and she would have the wholehearted encouragement of Molly, who also knew a matriarch when she saw one, and behaved accordingly. The young people, Ann and David—but did Molly know what had been decided for her? And if she did would she object?—would be dealt with superbly, as if they had nothing to say for themselves. Gratitude would be expected of them at all times. The expenditure of the wedding would ensure this. The preparations would be so dazzling that the merest hint of an objection would be silenced. Mrs May felt almost sorry for the girl, getting married in such circumstances. But having no resources of her own, or being presumed to have no resources, she would think the price worth paying. For what other reason would she decide to marry so far from home?
Everything these days seemed to be a matter of resources. Perhaps Ann was cunning, seeing her grandmother simply as one more-than-adequately resourced. In that case she wouldhave to play her part. And whom was she marrying? Did this David have anything to say in the matter? Mrs May remembered Ann only as a recalcitrant child, with a will that might yet be adequate to Kitty’s. They were, after all, of the same stock. And Austin! Brought in to clinch the argument, as if no-one could oppose a man! Mrs May doubted that Austin had anything to do with it, although she could not be sure. Austin was entirely amiable; she had always liked him best of all the family. But Austin had for so long been subjected to Kitty’s will that he underwrote everything she said and did. For Austin loved Kitty, as Kitty no doubt loved Austin, but in a different manner. Austin loved Kitty for her faults, as well as for her undoubted virtues. That was the strength of their union, which had withstood even the defective son, who had, she seemed to remember, joined a commune at some point in his rake’s progress. This, in itself harmless, was a defiant gesture. And he never came home. This was the reason for Kitty’s broken heart, to which mysterious allusions were made. ‘Of course Gerald was a disappointment,’ her friends wisely opined, without knowing exactly the nature of that disappointment. Kitty was expert at deflecting questions which were too probing and might not be entirely well-meaning. Mrs May could see her, head lowered, fingers joined at the bridge of her nose. Nobody would be bold enough to demand a further explanation. Nobody was.
And in the meantime she was landed with Steve Best. This is the last thing I do for them, she thought incoherently, until she realised that it was also the first. Good sense, momentarily recaptured, told her that this was a routine favour, extended quite naturally by people of a more robust disposition. But she was not of a robust disposition, had never had anything more to cope with than a husband who had alreadybeen through one marriage, and who asked nothing more from her than a peaceful and secure setting for his future existence. Neither of them had had any contact with the young, whom she saw—common sense momentarily deserting her once again—as dangerously dynamic, like Puck, or Pan, with movements that would shatter the calm of her silent home. Why could Kitty not have had Steve, and sent Ann off to her? That would have been the considerate thing to do. Yet immediately she saw the futility of this reflection. Ann was the granddaughter who must be spoiled. Bullied too; certainly made privy to Kitty’s moods. Mrs May, remembering Kitty’s way with Ann as a child—ardent, but also dissatisfied, reproachful—did not think that these wedding preparations would proceed harmoniously. But that was Kitty’s problem, Kitty’s and the faithless Austin’s. If he had so much as volunteered a suggestion, which she was now inclined to doubt.
And now she was to be invaded by
Everything these days seemed to be a matter of resources. Perhaps Ann was cunning, seeing her grandmother simply as one more-than-adequately resourced. In that case she wouldhave to play her part. And whom was she marrying? Did this David have anything to say in the matter? Mrs May remembered Ann only as a recalcitrant child, with a will that might yet be adequate to Kitty’s. They were, after all, of the same stock. And Austin! Brought in to clinch the argument, as if no-one could oppose a man! Mrs May doubted that Austin had anything to do with it, although she could not be sure. Austin was entirely amiable; she had always liked him best of all the family. But Austin had for so long been subjected to Kitty’s will that he underwrote everything she said and did. For Austin loved Kitty, as Kitty no doubt loved Austin, but in a different manner. Austin loved Kitty for her faults, as well as for her undoubted virtues. That was the strength of their union, which had withstood even the defective son, who had, she seemed to remember, joined a commune at some point in his rake’s progress. This, in itself harmless, was a defiant gesture. And he never came home. This was the reason for Kitty’s broken heart, to which mysterious allusions were made. ‘Of course Gerald was a disappointment,’ her friends wisely opined, without knowing exactly the nature of that disappointment. Kitty was expert at deflecting questions which were too probing and might not be entirely well-meaning. Mrs May could see her, head lowered, fingers joined at the bridge of her nose. Nobody would be bold enough to demand a further explanation. Nobody was.
And in the meantime she was landed with Steve Best. This is the last thing I do for them, she thought incoherently, until she realised that it was also the first. Good sense, momentarily recaptured, told her that this was a routine favour, extended quite naturally by people of a more robust disposition. But she was not of a robust disposition, had never had anything more to cope with than a husband who had alreadybeen through one marriage, and who asked nothing more from her than a peaceful and secure setting for his future existence. Neither of them had had any contact with the young, whom she saw—common sense momentarily deserting her once again—as dangerously dynamic, like Puck, or Pan, with movements that would shatter the calm of her silent home. Why could Kitty not have had Steve, and sent Ann off to her? That would have been the considerate thing to do. Yet immediately she saw the futility of this reflection. Ann was the granddaughter who must be spoiled. Bullied too; certainly made privy to Kitty’s moods. Mrs May, remembering Kitty’s way with Ann as a child—ardent, but also dissatisfied, reproachful—did not think that these wedding preparations would proceed harmoniously. But that was Kitty’s problem, Kitty’s and the faithless Austin’s. If he had so much as volunteered a suggestion, which she was now inclined to doubt.
And now she was to be invaded by
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