Free Two Worlds and Their Ways by Ivy Compton-Burnett Page B

that.”
    Miss Petticott, her pupils and Adela sat at attention before a masquerading figure. The trappings of the latter sorted themselves out to the eye. The stuffing of Adela’s armchair supplied the short grey hair; a scarf of MissPetticott’s the grey and shadowy garment; a strap, with some scissors depending, the belt with its silver attachment, at sight of which Lesbia restrained a movement of her hand towards her waist. Here sources of supply had failed, and Aldon’s nether garments provided the basis of the whole. His small, supple figure and pliable, sallow face were a possible substitute for the model’s lineaments.
    He began to divest himself of his disguise, as though unconscious of what he did. Lesbia looked on with modderate interest, Sir Roderick with more, Maria with some disappointment that no achievement was to be accredited to her children.
    â€œWell, if simple ingenuity is of any use to us, they will have that help,” said Lesbia, looking at the accoutrements, as they were discarded, and then going into easy mirth. “It does not often fall to anyone to witness her own dissolution.”
    â€œHad you nothing else to do with your time, Aldom?” said Sir Roderick, in a tone that seemed to be neutral, because he could not decide on its expression.
    â€œWell, Sir Roderick, I have acted at school before, as is known to her ladyship, it not being the custom to work from morning till night. And this time it seemed to fit the occasion, as it was an imminent experience.”
    â€œAnd it has its educational value, Miss Petticott?” said Lesbia, in a tone that just held a question. “As all work and play should have.”
    â€œWell, really I do not know, Miss Firebrace. I did not know what the scene was to be. I was quite taken aback when it began. I had not any idea of it.”
    â€œI do not suppose you had. I am not so conceited as to suppose that this particular thing would occur to you. And no doubt you trusted your pupils. Trust should exist in all relations; and if it is to be on one side, it must be on the other. And I believe in self-government, in things that admit of it. And amusements are surely to be reckoned amongst those.”
    â€œI will go now, my lady,” said Aldom, and did as he said.
    â€œWell, if Clemence is not prepared for her new life, it is not Aldom’s fault,” said Lesbia, in another tone. “I hope the light thrown upon her path will illumine it. It would be a pity if all that thought and contrivance were wasted. I might feel quite flattered by being the instigator of it.”
    â€œAldom had only about half an hour between waiting at tea and coming up here,” said Maria, as if this feeling might occur in too great a degree.
    â€œYes, it was the most concentrated effort.”
    Sir Roderick laughed.
    â€œWhat are you laughing at, Roderick?” said Maria.
    Her husband continued to laugh, and began to do so to excess, looking at Lesbia, at Miss Petticott, at his children, as he made up the arrears of his emotion.
    Lesbia smiled on him with indulgence.
    â€œYou are still young in heart and mind, Roderick. Childish things are not of those that you have put away.”
    Sir Roderick was checked by this interpretation of his mood, but not to the point of overcoming it, and continued to be subject to outbreaks, as the talk went on.
    â€œReally, Roderick, I am ashamed of you,” said Maria. “Indeed I do not know how far to be ashamed of all of you.”
    â€œOh, that is too much of a feeling, surely,” said Lesbia, as though some easy condemnation would meet the case. “People cannot always present themselves in the most becoming light. We all have our more ordinary moments.”
    â€œWhat may be your jest?” said Mr. Firebrace, leading his family into the room.
    â€œA merry one,” said his daughter. “We came up and caught Aldom in the act of impersonating me in my