Free Two Worlds and Their Ways by Ivy Compton-Burnett

life.”
    â€œDid you know that your brother was to be a governess with the rest of them?” said Mr. Firebrace to the children.
    â€œYou do not address the children of your own accord more than twice a year,” said Maria.
    â€œPerhaps that would be about the number of times.”
    â€œHow do you mean, Grandpa?” said Clemence.
    â€œMusic mistress at his uncle’s school.”
    â€œMusic master,” said Sefton.
    â€œNo, I meant what I said, my boy.”
    â€œThen will he be there when I am there?”
    â€œYes, I thought you would be glad to hear that,” said Maria. “It will make a background for you. There will be someone to appeal to, if anything goes wrong.”
    â€œThen he will have to acknowledge the relationship,” said Oliver.
    â€œAnd why should he not do that?”
    â€œWell, I shall have to play the piano for the hymn at prayers.”
    â€œHow did you know?” said Juliet. “I am so relieved. I was wondering if Lucius would dare to tell you, or if it would devolve upon me.”
    â€œWhy should I mind his playing?” said Sefton. “He plays at home.”
    â€œThere is no reason to mind,” said Maria.
    â€œYou little know what you say,” said her stepson.
    â€œI do not suppose he will give me any reasons when he comes home.”
    â€œNo, I do not suppose he will.”
    â€œWhat is all this mystery?” said Maria, in an exasperated manner. “Why should not school be an open and natural life, like any other?”
    â€œLike what other?” said Mr. Firebrace.
    â€œDo not try to be suggestive, Grandpa. It is not a thing you can do. I could give Maria some reasons, and I shall know some more when I return. And some of the life is natural. Perhaps that is why it cannot be open. It could not be both.”
    â€œI hate to feel there is so much that does not go into words,” said his stepmother.
    â€œIt does throw a shadow. And it must remain dark, sinister and hovering. And it is over innocent lives. But there is no need for Grandpa to hint that it is over lives like our own. As if they were innocent.”
    â€œWell, what about this question of school, Roderick?” said Maria, in a weary tone. “Shall we put it to the vote? To go or not to go? Hands up, those in favour!”
    No hand was raised and Maria looked round in doubt.
    â€œNo, no, I am aloof,” said Lesbia, shaking her head. “I have given my opinion. It must be taken for what it is worth. I do not give it a second time.”
    â€œOf course Lucius and I cannot vote for having an extra boy,” said Juliet. “And Lucius is never in favour of anything. He cannot let his personality go to pieces.”
    â€œI am in your position, Miss Firebrace. I am aloof,” said Miss Petticott. “Our minds do seem to work on the same lines.”
    â€œI am against their going,” said Sir Roderick. “I do not mind giving the opinion a second and a third time.”
    â€œI vote in favour of it,” said Oliver. “The results may afford me some amusement. I expect it will have some results.”
    â€œI give the casting vote, also in favour,” said Mr. Firebrace. “When I have a family of governesses, it is not for me to stand in their light.”
    â€œThen the ayes have it,” said Maria. “I have not voted myself, but no one has noticed that.”
    â€œA note of dignified sadness,” said Oliver. “When Sefton goes wrong at school, it will come to his mind. There must be something to do that.”
    â€œIt has been settled all the time,” said his father. “And I ask that we shall not continue to assume it is not. And I hope they will not stay long.”
    â€œI should not think they will. The results of their going are to amuse me; and if they stay long, I do not see how they could.”
    â€œWell, I am tired of the riddles and mysteries,” said Maria.