Page:The Climber (Benson).djvu/28

18 like what the other might be expected to be, for Aunt Cathie, with an almost truculent appearance and abrupt demeanour, was of an extraordinarily tender heart, while Aunt Elizabeth, who appeared soft and aged and effete, was gifted with a nature of almost incredible obstinacy, and, to put the matter quite frankly, was as hard as nails.

It was over Elizabeth's hardness that Cathie was pondering as she looked at the garden-bed. They had had some discussion about it earlier in the morning, considering it in its relation to the tennis-court.

"Of course, the garden is your affair, Catherine," Elizabeth had said ("Catherine" was a word used by her only in ultimatums and on other disapproving occasions); "and if you like to have it looking like the desert of Sahara and the Dead Sea when our guests come here in July, it is a matter that concerns you. I hope I never intrude my advice when it is not wanted, but there are occasions when it becomes a duty to say what is in one's mind."

Elizabeth always spoke very slowly and distinctly, and in a die-away voice, as if she had scarcely strength left for the mere enunciation. But her voice never quite died away until she had completely finished what she wished to say. She would then usually intimate with a closing of the eyes and a slight shiver that the subject might be considered as ended. She invariably, however, returned to it herself a little later, and said her say over again.

"What do you advise then, Elizabeth?" asked Cathie.

"Dismiss Johnson at once and get somebody who will condescend to garden."

"But he's so old, dear," said Catherine, "and so extremely incompetent. He would never get another place. I don't think I can dismiss him. You see, I pay his wages."

"That is a quibble, Catherine. I pay Jane's, and I hope you find your room perfectly cleaned. Otherwise pray mention it, and if fault must be found, I will find it."

"No, Jane is a good girl," said Cathie, "but short of dismissing Johnson, can't you suggest anything?"

"Well, it is absurd to let the lawn be used for a tennis-court in these few weeks before our parties. Lucia can play tennis all the year round from September till May"

"I never heard of anybody playing lawn-tennis from September till May," interpolated Catherine.