霍华德庄园 英文版 Howards End
爱德华.摩根.福斯特 Edward Morgan Forster
Chapter 36
"Margaret, you look upset!" said Henry. Mansbridge hadfollowed. Crane was at the gate, and the flyman had stoodup on the box. Margaret shook her head at them; she couldnot speak any more. She remained clutching the keys, as ifall their future depended on them. Henry was asking morequestions. She shook her head again. His words had nosense. She heard him wonder why she had let Helen in. "Youmight have given me a knock with the gate," was another ofhis remarks. Presently she heard herself speaking. She, orsomeone for her, said "Go away." Henry came nearer. Herepeated, "Margaret, you look upset again. My dear, give methe keys. What are you doing with Helen?"
"Oh, dearest, do go away, and I will manage it all."
"Manage what?"
He stretched out his hand for the keys. She might haveobeyed if it had not been for the doctor.
"Stop that at least," she said piteously; the doctor hadturned back, and was questioning the driver of Helen's cab.A new feeling came over her; she was fighting for womenagainst men. She did not care about rights, but if men cameinto Howards End, it should be over her body.
"Come, this is an odd beginning," said her husband.
The doctor came forward now, and whispered two words toMr. Wilcox--the scandal was out. Sincerely horrified, Henrystood gazing at the earth.
"I cannot help it," said Margaret. "Do wait. It's notmy fault. Please all four of you to go away now."
Now the flyman was whispering to Crane.
"We are relying on you to help us, Mrs. Wilcox," saidthe young doctor. "Could you go in and persuade your sisterto come out?"
"On what grounds?" said Margaret, suddenly looking himstraight in the eyes.
Thinking it professional to prevaricate, he murmuredsomething about a nervous breakdown.
"I beg your pardon, but it is nothing of the sort. Youare not qualified to attend my sister, Mr. Mansbridge. Ifwe require your services, we will let you know."
"I can diagnose the case more bluntly if you wish," he retorted.
"You could, but you have not. You are, therefore, notqualified to attend my sister."
"Come, come, Margaret!" said Henry, never raising hiseyes. "This is a terrible business, an appalling business.It's doctor's orders. Open the door."
"Forgive me, but I will not."
"I don't agree."
Margaret was silent.
"This business is as broad as it's long," contributedthe doctor. "We had better all work together. You need us,Mrs. Wilcox, and we need you."
"Quite so," said Henry.
"I do not need you in the least," said Margaret.
the case more bluntly if you wish?
The two men looked at each other anxiously.
"No more does my sister, who is still many weeks fromher confinement."
"Margaret, Margaret!"
"Well, Henry, send your doctor away. What possible useis he now?"
Mr. Wilcox ran his eye over the house. He had a vaguefeeling that he must stand firm and support the doctor. Hehimself might need support, for there was trouble ahead.
"It all turns on affection now," said Margaret."Affection. Don't you see?" Resuming her usual methods,she wrote the word on the house with her finger. "Surelyyou see. I like Helen very much, you not so much. Mr.Mansbridge doesn't know her. That's all. And affection,when reciprocated, gives rights. Put that down in yournotebook, Mr. Mansbridge. It's a useful formula."
Henry told her to be calm.
"You don't know what you want yourselves," saidMargaret, folding her arms. "For one sensible remark I willlet you in. But you cannot make it. You would trouble mysister for no reason. I will not permit it. I'll standhere all the day sooner."
"Mansbridge," said Henry in a low voice, "perhaps not now."
The pack was breaking up. At a sign from his master,Crane also went back into the car.
"Now, Henry, you," she said gently. None of herbitterness had been directed at him. "Go away now, dear. Ishall want your advice later, no doubt. Forgive me if Ihave been cross. But, seriously, you must go."
He was too stupid to leave her. Now it was Mr.Mansbridge who called in a low voice to him.
"I shall soon find you down at Dolly's," she called, asthe gate at last clanged between them. The fly moved out ofthe way, the motor backed, turned a little, backed again,and turned in the narrow road. A string of farm carts cameup in the middle; but she waited through all, for there wasno hurry. When all was over and the car had started, sheopened the door. "Oh, my darling!" she said. "My darling,forgive me." Helen was standing in the hall.