English
Mrs.Westmacott’sgreatmeetingfortheenfranchisementofwomanhadpassedover,andithadbeenatriumphantsuccess.
Allthemaidsandmatronsofthesouthernsuburbshadralliedathersummons,therewasaninfluentialplatformwithDr.BalthazarWalkerinthechair,andAdmiralHayDenveramonghismoreprominentsupporters.
Onebenightedmalehadcomeinfromtheoutsidedarknessandhadjeeredfromthefurtherendofthehall,buthehadbeencalledtoorderbythechair,petrifiedbyindignantglancesfromtheunenfranchisedaroundhim,andfinallyescortedtothedoorbyCharlesWestmacott.
Fieryresolutionswerepassed,tobeforwardedtoalargenumberofleadingstatesmen,andthemeetingbrokeupwiththeconvictionthatashrewdblowhadbeenstruckforthecauseofwoman.
Buttherewasonewomanatleasttowhomthemeetingandallthatwasconnectedwithithadbroughtanythingbutpleasure.
ClaraWalkerwatchedwithaheavyheartthefriendshipandcloseintimacywhichhadsprungupbetweenherfatherandthewidow.
Fromweektoweekithadincreaseduntilnodayeverpassedwithouttheirbeingtogether.
Thecomingmeetinghadbeentheexcuseforthesecontinualinterviews,butnowthemeetingwasover,andstilltheDoctorwouldrefereverypointwhichrosetothejudgmentofhisneighbor.
Hewouldtalk,too,tohistwodaughtersofherstrengthofcharacter,herdecisivemind,andofthenecessityoftheircultivatingheracquaintanceandfollowingherexample,untilatlastithadbecomehismostcommontopicofconversation.
Allthismighthavepassedasmerelythenaturalpleasurewhichanelderlymanmighttakeinthesocietyofanintelligentandhandsomewoman,buttherewereotherpointswhichseemedtoClaratogiveitadeepermeaning.
ShecouldnotforgetthatwhenCharlesWestmacotthadspokentoheronenighthehadalludedtothepossibilityofhisauntmarryingagain.
Hemusthaveknownornoticedsomethingbeforehewouldspeakuponsuchasubject.
AndthenagainMrs.Westmacotthadherselfsaidthatshehopedtochangeherstyleoflivingshortlyandtakeovercompletelynewduties.
Whatcouldthatmeanexceptthatsheexpectedtomarry?Andwhom?
Sheseemedtoseefewfriendsoutsidetheirownlittlecircle.Shemusthavealludedtoherfather.
Itwasahatefulthought,andyetitmustbefaced.
OneeveningtheDoctorhadbeenratherlateathisneighbor’s.
HeusedtogointotheAdmiral’safterdinner,butnowheturnedmorefrequentlyintheotherdirection.
WhenhereturnedClarawassittingaloneinthedrawing-roomreadingamagazine.
Shesprangupasheentered,pushedforwardhischair,andrantofetchhisslippers.
“Youarelookingalittlepale,dear,”heremarked.
“Oh,no,papa,Iamverywell.”
“AllwellwithHarold?”
“Yes.Hispartner,Mr.Pearson,isstillaway,andheisdoingallthework.”
“Welldone.Heissuretosucceed.WhereisIda?”
“Inherroom,Ithink.”
“ShewaswithCharlesWestmacottonthelawnnotverylongago.Heseemsveryfondofher.Heisnotverybright,butIthinkhewillmakeheragoodhusband.”
“Iamsureofit,papa.Heisverymanlyandreliable.”
“Yes,Ishouldthinkthatheisnotthesortofmanwhogoeswrong.Thereisnothinghiddenabouthim.
Astohisbrightness,itreallydoesnotmatter,forhisaunt,Mrs.Westmacott,isveryrich,muchricherthanyouwouldthinkfromherstyleofliving,andshehasmadehimahandsomeprovision.”
“Iamgladofthat.”
“Itisbetweenourselves.Iamhertrustee,andsoIknowsomethingofherarrangements.Andwhenareyougoingtomarry,Clara?”
“Oh,papa,notforsometimeyet.Wehavenotthoughtofadate.”
“Well,really,Idon’tknowthatthereisanyreasonfordelay.Hehasacompetenceanditincreasesyearly.Aslongasyouarequitecertainthatyourmindismadeup——”
“Oh,papa!”
“Well,then,Ireallydonotknowwhythereshouldbeanydelay.
AndIda,too,mustbemarriedwithinthenextfewmonths.
Now,whatIwanttoknowiswhatIamtodowhenmytwolittlecompanionsrunawayfromme.”
Hespokelightly,buthiseyesweregraveashelookedquestioninglyathisdaughter.
“Dearpapa,youshallnotbealone.ItwillbeyearsbeforeHaroldandIthinkofmarrying,andwhenwedoyoumustcomeandlivewithus.”
“No,no,dear.Iknowthatyoumeanwhatyousay,butIhaveseensomethingoftheworld,andIknowthatsucharrangementsneveranswer.
Therecannotbetwomastersinahouse,andyetatmyagemyfreedomisverynecessarytome.”
“Butyouwouldbecompletelyfree.”
“No,dear,youcannotbethatifyouareaguestinanotherman’shouse.Canyousuggestnootheralternative?”
“Thatweremainwithyou.”
“No,no.Thatisoutofthequestion.
Mrs.Westmacottherselfsaysthatawoman’sfirstdutyistomarry.
Marriage,however,shouldbeanequalpartnership,asshepointsout.
Ishouldwishyoubothtomarry,butstillIshouldlikeasuggestionfromyou,Clara,astowhatIshoulddo.”
“Butthereisnohurry,papa.Letuswait.Idonotintendtomarryyet.”
DoctorWalkerlookeddisappointed.“Well,Clara,ifyoucansuggestnothing,IsupposethatImusttaketheinitiativemyself,”saidhe.
“Thenwhatdoyoupropose,papa?”Shebracedherselfasonewhoseestheblowwhichisabouttofall.
Helookedatherandhesitated.“Howlikeyourpoordearmotheryouare,Clara!”hecried.
“AsIlookedatyouthenitwasasifshehadcomebackfromthegrave.”Hestoopedtowardsherandkissedher.
“There,runawaytoyoursister,mydear,anddonottroubleyourselfaboutme.
Nothingissettledyet,butyouwillfindthatallwillcomeright.”
Clarawentupstairssadatheart,forshewassurenowthatwhatshehadfearedwasindeedabouttocometopass,andthatherfatherwasgoingtotakeMrs.Westmacotttobehiswife.
Inherpureandearnestmindhermother’smemorywasenshrinedasthatofasaint,andthethoughtthatanyoneshouldtakeherplaceseemedaterribledesecration.
Evenworse,however,didthismarriageappearwhenlookedatfromthepointofviewofherfather’sfuture.
Thewidowmightfascinatehimbyherknowledgeoftheworld,herdash,herstrength,herunconventionality—allthesequalitiesClarawaswillingtoallowher—butshewasconvincedthatshewouldbeunendurableasalifecompanion.
Shehadcometoanagewhenhabitsarenotlightlytobechanged,norwassheawomanwhowasatalllikelytoattempttochangethem.
Howwouldasensitivemanlikeherfatherstandtheconstantstrainofsuchawife,awomanwhowasalldecision,withnosoftness,andnothingsoothinginhernature?
Itpassedasamereeccentricitywhentheyheardofherstoutdrinking,hercigarettesmoking,heroccasionalwhiffsatalongclaypipe,herhorsewhippingofadrunkenservant,andhercompanionshipwiththesnakeEliza,whomshewasinthehabitofbearingaboutinherpocket.
Allthiswouldbecomeunendurabletoherfatherwhenhisfirstinfatuationwaspast.
Forhisownsake,then,aswellasforhermother’smemory,thismatchmustbeprevented.
Andyethowpowerlessshewastopreventit!Whatcouldshedo?CouldHaroldaidher?Perhaps.OrIda?
Atleastshewouldtellhersisterandseewhatshecouldsuggest.
apictureofthecountryside
Idawasinherboudoir,atinylittletapestriedroom,asneatanddaintyasherself,withlowwallshungwithImariplaquesandwithprettylittleSwissbracketsbearingblueKagaware,orthepurewhiteCoalportchina.
InalowchairbeneatharedshadedstandinglampsatIda,inadiaphanouseveningdressofmousselinedesoie,theruddylighttinginghersweetchildlikeface,andglowingonhergoldencurls.
Shesprangupashersisterentered,andthrewherarmsaroundher.
“DearoldClara!Comeandsitdownherebesideme.Ihavenothadachatfordays.But,oh,whatatroubledface!Whatisitthen?”Sheputupherforefingerandsmoothedhersister’sbrowwithit.
Clarapulledupastool,andsittingdownbesidehersister,passedherarmroundherwaist.“Iamsosorrytotroubleyou,dearIda,”shesaid.“ButIdonotknowwhattodo.
“There’snothingthematterwithHarold?”
“Oh,no,Ida.”
“NorwithmyCharles?”
“No,no.”
Idagaveasighofrelief.“Youquitefrightenedme,dear,”saidshe.“Youcan’tthinkhowsolemnyoulook.Whatisit,then?”
“IbelievethatpapaintendstoaskMrs.Westmacotttomarryhim.”
Idaburstoutlaughing.“Whatcanhaveputsuchanotionintoyourhead,Clara?”
“Itisonlytootrue,Ida.Isuspecteditbefore,andhehimselfalmosttoldmeasmuchwithhisownlipsto-night.Idon’tthinkthatitisalaughingmatter.”
“Really,Icouldnothelpit.Ifyouhadtoldmethatthosetwodearoldladiesopposite,theMissesWilliams,werebothengaged,youwouldnothavesurprisedmemore.Itisreallytoofunny.”
“Funny,Ida!Thinkofanyonetakingtheplaceofdearmother.”
Buthersisterwasofamorepracticalandlesssentimentalnature.
“Iamsure,”saidshe,“thatdearmotherwouldlikepapatodowhateverwouldmakehimmosthappy.
Weshallbothbeaway,andwhyshouldpapanotpleasehimself?”
“Butthinkhowunhappyhewillbe.Youknowhowquietheisinhisways,andhowevenalittlethingwillupsethim.
Howcouldhelivewithawifewhowouldmakehiswholelifeaseriesofsurprises?
Fancywhatawhirlwindshemustbeinahouse.
Amanathisagecannotchangehisways.Iamsurehewouldbemiserable.”
Ida’sfacegrewgraver,andsheponderedoverthematterforafewminutes.
“Ireallythinkthatyouarerightasusual,”saidsheatlast.
“IadmireCharlie’sauntverymuch,youknow,andIthinkthatsheisaveryusefulandgoodperson,butIdon’tthinkshewoulddoasawifeforpoorquietpapa.”
“Buthewillcertainlyaskher,andIreallythinkthatsheintendstoaccepthim.Thenitwouldbetoolatetointerfere.Wehaveonlyafewdaysatthemost.Andwhatcanwedo?
Howcanwehopetomakehimchangehismind?”
AgainIdapondered.“Hehasnevertriedwhatitistolivewithastrong-mindedwoman,”saidshe.
“Ifwecouldonlygethimtorealizeitintime.Oh,Clara,Ihaveit;Ihaveit!Suchalovelyplan!”
SheleanedbackinherchairandburstintoafitoflaughtersonaturalandsoheartythatClarahadtoforgethertroublesandtojoininit.
“Oh,itisbeautiful!”shegaspedatlast.“Poorpapa!Whatatimehewillhave!
Butit’sallforhisowngood,asheusedtosaywhenwehadtobepunishedwhenwewerelittle.
Oh,Clara,Idohopeyourheartwon’tfailyou.”
“Iwoulddoanythingtosavehim,dear.”
“That’sit.Youmuststeelyourselfbythatthought.”
“Butwhatisyourplan?”
“Oh,Iamsoproudofit.Wewilltirehimforeverofthewidow,andofallemancipatedwomen.
Letmesee,whatareMrs.Westmacott’smainideas?
YouhavelistenedtohermorethanI.Womenshouldattendlesstohouseholdduties.Thatisone,isitnot?”
“Yes,iftheyfeeltheyhavecapabilitiesforhigherthings.
Thenshethinksthateverywomanwhohasleisureshouldtakeupthestudyofsomebranchofscience,andthat,asfaraspossible,everywomanshouldqualifyherselfforsometradeorprofession,choosingforpreferencethosewhichhavebeenhithertomonopolizedbymen.
Toentertheotherswouldonlybetointensifythepresentcompetition.”
“Quiteso.Thatisglorious!”
Herblueeyesweredancingwithmischief,andsheclappedherhandsinherdelight.“Whatelse?
Shethinksthatwhateveramancandoawomanshouldbeallowedtodoalso—doesshenot?”
“Shesaysso.”
“Andaboutdress?Theshortskirt,andthedividedskirtarewhatshebelievesin?”
“Yes.”
“Wemustgetinsomecloth.”
“Why?”
“Wemustmakeourselvesadresseach.Abrand-new,enfranchised,emancipateddress,dear.Don’tyouseemyplan?
WeshallactuptoallMrs.Westmacott’sviewsineveryrespect,andimprovethemwhenwecan.
Thenpapawillknowwhatitistolivewithawomanwhoclaimsallherrights.Oh,Clara,itwillbesplendid.”
Hermildersistersatspeechlessbeforesodaringascheme.“Butitwouldbewrong,Ida!”shecriedatlast.
“Notabit.Itistosavehim.”
“Ishouldnotdare.”
“Oh,yes,youwould.Haroldwillhelp.Besides,whatotherplanhaveyou?”
“Ihavenone.”
“Thenyoumusttakemine.”
“Yes.Perhapsyouareright.Well,wedoitforagoodmotive.”
“Youwilldoit?”
“Idonotseeanyotherway.”
“YoudeargoodClara!NowIwillshowyouwhatyouaretodo.Wemustnotbegintoosuddenly.Itmightexcitesuspicion.”
“Whatwouldyoudo,then?”
“To-morrowwemustgotoMrs.Westmacott,andsitatherfeetandlearnallherviews.”
“Whathypocritesweshallfeel!”
“Weshallbehernewestandmostenthusiasticconverts.Oh,itwillbesuchfun,Clara!Thenweshallmakeourplansandsendforwhatwewant,andbeginournewlife.”
“Idohopethatweshallnothavetokeepituplong.Itseemssocrueltodearpapa.”
“Cruel!Tosavehim!”
“IwishIwassurethatweweredoingright.Andyetwhatelsecanwedo?Well,then,Ida,thedieiscast,andwewillcalluponMrs.Westmacotttomorrow.”
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