Free The Mighty and Their Fall by Ivy Compton-Burnett Page B

a success,” said Hugo. “Even you did not aim high.”
    â€œIt would have been to court failure. I chose to avoid it.”
    â€œWe have met it on a meaner scale. And she saw the meanness.”
    â€œYes, I saw it,” said Selina, dreamily.
    As the pair went out of the room, they were noiselessly approached by Ainger.
    â€œHow is the mistress today, sir?”
    â€œVery ill, as you know,” said Ninian. “Her heart is weak.”
    â€œI can’t help feeling she is more herself,” said Hugo.
    â€œWell, neither can I, sir. I have the intimation.”
    â€œI think you might have it, if you heard her talk.”
    â€œYes, sir, that might support it,” said Ainger, who had found it did.
    â€œYou will see the hall is kept quiet?” said Ninian.
    â€œYes, sir. That accounts for my presence. Otherwise there are calls on my time.”
    â€œWhen the post comes, do not take any letters to the mistress. One of us will take them later.”
    â€œYes, sir. Miss Lavinia sorts the second post. It can be left to her,” said Ainger, as the two men moved away.
    â€œWell, has anything transpired, Ainger?” said another voice.
    â€œWell, I have my impression, Cook. And Mr. Hugo shared it.”
    â€œAnd what did you share? Words are at your disposal.”
    â€œWell, I was on guard here to prevent disturbance. And I could not help hearing what passed.”
    â€œI believe you cannot help it, Ainger,” said Cook gravely. “And it is time you conquered yourself. You will be hearing something to cause discomfiture.”
    â€œFor myself or somebody else?”
    â€œWell, who was in the uncertain place? And is it a case for insinuation?”
    â€œYou are right, Cook. It is not the occasion. And I was not about to go further. But I chanced to hear the mistress, that is, to catch her words.”
    â€œI throw no doubt on it. I fear it is the truth. And they acted as a check on you?”
    â€œWell, perhaps that was hardly the case,” said Ainger, controlling a smile.
    â€œWell, explain yourself. There is no call to be oracular.”
    â€œTo tell you the truth, Cook,” said Ainger, loweringhis voice and leaning towards her, “if I were on the brink, as the mistress may be, I should not feel such words of a kind to pass my lips.”
    â€œWhy, they were not of a dubious nature?”
    â€œCook, if they were, should I pass them on? Should I betray a lady on the verge, and of an age and standing?”
    â€œI hope not, Ainger. I go no further. And what are you doing?”
    â€œWell, I have done it now,” said Ainger, changing his tone. “And it was not so much. Just her tendency, if you understand.”
    â€œI do, Ainger. And the Almighty might do so too, having fashioned her as she is.”
    â€œWell, in his place I should feel I might have done better. What is the good of being almighty?”
    â€œIt is not a place you would be in. And you may continue in another vein.”
    â€œWell, there is more to come, if I am to tell the whole. But perhaps my lips should be sealed.”
    â€œIf it may fester, Ainger, if it may act in that way, you should cast it off. There are things that are better shared.”
    â€œYou said the Almighty would understand the mistress, as he had fashioned her. I wonder what he would say to his existence being questioned. Who would have fashioned her then?”
    â€œSurely it was not what passed?”
    â€œCook, it was implied. The after life was doubted. And in a light spirit.”
    â€œWell, she goes to what is before her. We do not penetrate further. It might be too much.”
    â€œIt might indeed in a sense.”
    â€œAinger, we will say no more. It is not our part to frame thoughts.”
    â€œI don’t think the old lady will leave us myself. And we may feel it to be as well.”
    â€œMyself I say one thing. I have had kindness from the mistress. Those