human
I see you’ve got a Rossetti,
gpt
Edwin gave it me, Hilda replied.
human
He’s gradually giving me all my private poets. But somehow I haven’t been able to read much lately. I expect it’s the idea of moving into the country that makes me restless.
gpt
But is it settled, all that?
human
Of course it’s settled, my dear. I’m determined to take him away-- Hilda spoke of her husband as of a parcel or an intelligent bear on a chain, as loving wives may--
gpt
Yes, he is rather that way inclined,
human
I wanted him to take Ladderedge at once, even if we didn’t move into it. Anyhow we couldn’t move into it immediately, because of the repairs and things. They’ll take a fine time, I know. We can get it for sixty pounds a year. And what’s sixty pounds more or less to Edwin? It’s no more than what the rent of this house would be. But no, he wouldn’t! He must see where he stands with this house before he does anything else! You can’t alter him, you know!
gpt
So you’re discussing her!
human
Discussing who?
gpt
You know.
human
Tertius, said Hilda,
gpt
I suppose you mean that to be very severe.
human
If you want to know, we were talking about Ladderedge.
gpt
So apologise!
human
Curious! That’s just what I came in about. I’ve been trying to get a chance to tell you all the evening. There’s somebody else after Ladderedge, a man from Axe. He’s been to look over it twice this week. I thought I’d tip you the wink.
gpt
Have you told Edwin?
human
Yes.
gpt
What did he say?
human
He said it was only a dodge of the house-agent’s to quicken things up.
gpt
And do you think it is?
human
Well, I doubt it, Ingpen answered apprehensively.
gpt
That’s why I wanted to warn you--his lordship being what he is.
human
Here, I’m not going to be caught conspiring with you! Ingpen whispered.
gpt
It’s more than my place is worth.
human
You can’t alter him!
gpt
My girl, she said, turning to Janet,
human
A scene?
gpt
Between Edwin and me. I’m absolutely determined that we shall take Ladderedge, and I don’t care how much of a row we have over it.
human
It isn’t as bad as all that?
gpt
Yes it is!
human
I was wondering the other day, after one of your letters, Janet proceeded gently,
gpt
So I should like him to be on the Town Council! But all I really want is to get him away from his business. You don’t know, Janet! she spoke bitterly, and with emotion.
human
Nobody knows except me. He’ll soon be the slave of his business if he keeps on. Oh! I don’t mean he stays at nights at it. He scarcely ever does. But he’s always thinking about it. He simply can’t bear being a minute late for it, everything must give way to it,--he takes that as a matter of course, and that’s what annoys me, especially as there’s no reason for it, seeing how much he trusts Big James and Simpson. I believe he’d do anything for Big James. He’d listen to Big James far sooner than he’d listen to me.... Disagreeable fawning old man, and quite stupid. Simpson isn’t so bad. I tell you Edwin only looks on his home as a nice place to be quiet in when he isn’t at the works. I’ve never told him so, and I don’t think he suspects it, but I will tell him one of these days. He’s very good, Edwin is, in all the little things. He always tries to be just. But he isn’t just in the big thing. He’s most frightfully unjust. I sometimes wonder where he imagines I come in. Of course he’d do any mortal thing for me--except spare half a minute from the works.... What do I care about money? I don’t care that much about money. When there’s money I can spend it, that’s all. But I’d prefer to be poor, and him to be rude and cross and impatient--which he scarcely ever is--than have this feeling all the time that it’s the works first, and everything else second. I don’t mind for myself--no, really I don’t, at least very little! But I do mind for him. I call it humiliating for a man to get like that. It puts everything upside down. Look at Stephen Cheswardine, for instance. There’s a pretty specimen! And Edwin’ll be as bad as him soon.
gpt
But everyone says how fond Stephen is of his wife!
human
And isn’t Edwin fond of me? Stephen Cheswardine despises his wife--only he can’t do without her. That’s all. And he treats her accordingly. And I shall be the same.
gpt
Yes, I shall. Yes, I shall. But I won’t have it. I’d as lief be married to a man like Charles Fearns. He isn’t a slave to his business anyhow. I shall get Edwin further away. And when I’ve got him away I shall see he doesn’t go to the works on Saturdays, too. I’ve quite made up my mind about that. And if he isn’t on the Town Council he can be on the County Council--that’s quite as good, I hope!