"Don't expect me to understand all that legal jargon, do you?" said
Timothy ungratefully. "You lawyers! Matter of fact, I couldn't believe
it when Maude came home and told me the gist of it. Thought she'd got it
wrong. Women are never clear headed. Best woman in the world, Maude -
but women don't understand finance. I don't believe Maude even realises
that if Richard hadn't died when he did, we might have had to clear out
of here. Fact!"
"Surely if you had applied to Richard -"
Timothy gave a short bark of harsh laughter.
"That's not my style. Our father left us all a perfectly reasonable
share of his money - that is, if we didn't want to go into the family
concern. I didn't. I've a soul above corn-plasters, Entwhistle! Richard
took my attitude a bit hard. Well, what with taxes, depreciation of
income, one thing and another - it hasn't been easy to keep things
going. I've had to realise a good deal of capital. Best thing to do
these days. I did hint once to Richard that this place was getting a bit
hard to run. He took the attitude that we'd be much better off in a
smaller place altogether. Easier for Maude, he said, more labour saving -
labour saving, what a term! Oh no, I wouldn't have asked Richard for
help. But I can tell you, Entwhistle, that the worry affected my health
most unfavourably. A man in my state of health oughtn't to have to
worry. Then Richard died and though of course naturally I was cut up
about it - my brother and all that - I couldn't help feeling relieved
about future prospects. Yes, it's all plain sailing now - and a great
relief. Get the house painted - get a couple of really good men on the
garden - you can get them at a price. Restock the rose garden
completely. And - where was I -"
"Detailing your future plans."
"Yes, yes - but I mustn't bother you with all that. What did hurt me - and hurt me cruelly - were the terms of Richard's will."
"Indeed?" Mr Entwhistle looked inquiring. "They were not - as you expected?"
"I should say they weren't! Naturally, after Mortimer's death, I assumed that Richard would leave everything to me."
"Ah - did he - ever - indicate that to you?"
"He never said so - not in so many words. Reticent sort of chap,
Richard. But he asked himself here - not long after Mortimer's death.
Wanted to talk over family affairs generally. We discussed young George -
and the girls and their husbands. Wanted to know my views - not that I
could tell him much. I'm an invalid and I don't get about, and Maude and
I live out of the world. Rotten silly marriages both of those girls
made, if you ask me. Well, I ask you, Entwhistle, naturally I thought he
was consulting me as the head of the family after he was gone and
naturally I thought the control of the money would be mine. Richard
could surely trust me to do the right thing by the younger generation.
And to look after poor old Cora. Dash it all, Entwhistle, I'm an
Abernethie - the last Abernethie. Full control should have been left in
my hands."
In his excitement Timothy had kicked aside his rug and had sat up
in his chair. There were no signs of weakness or fragility about him. He
looked, Mr Entwhistle thought, a perfectly healthy man, even if a
slightly excitable one. Moreover the old lawyer realised very clearly
that Timothy Abernethie had probably always been secretly jealous of his
brother Richard. They had been sufficiently alike for Timothy to resent
his brother's strength of character and firm grasp of affairs. When
Richard had died, Timothy had exulted in the prospect of succeeding at
this late date to the power to control the destinies of others.
Richard Abernethie had not given him that power. Had he thought of doing so and then decided against it?
A sudden squalling of cats in the garden brought Timothy up out of
his chair. Rushing to the window he threw up the sash, bawled out "Stop
it, you!" and picking up a large book hurled it out at the marauders.
"Beastly cats," he grumbled, returning to his visitor. "Ruin the flower beds and I can't stand that damned yowling."
He sat down again and asked:
"Have a drink, Entwhistle?"
"Not quite so soon. Maude has just given me an excellent tea."
Timothy grunted.
"Capable woman, Maude. But she does too much. Even has to muck
about with the inside of that old car of ours - she's quite a mechanic
in her way, you know."
"I hear she had a breakdown coming back from the funeral?"
"Yes. Car conked out. She had the sense to telephone through about
it, in case I should be anxious, but that ass of a daily woman of ours
wrote down the message in a way that didn't make sense. I was out
getting a bit of fresh air - I'm advised by the doctor to take what
exercise I can if I feel like it - I got back from my walk to find
scrawled on a bit of paper:
'Madam's sorry car gone wrong got to stay night.' Naturally I
thought she was still at Enderby. Put a call through and found Maude had
left that morning. Might have had the breakdown anywhere! Pretty kettle
of fish! Fool of a daily woman only left me a lumpy macaroni cheese for
supper. I had to go down to the kitchen and warm it up myself - and
make myself a cup of tea - to say nothing of stoking the boiler. I might
have had a heart attack - but does that class of woman care? Not she?
With any decent feelings she'd have come back that evening and
looked after me properly. No loyalty any more in the lower classes -"
He brooded sadly.
