The Carved Cupboard | Page 2

course; I don't believe poor aunt
knew what she was doing. And we shall have to shift for ourselves now.
I hope he will enjoy his unrighteous possessions. I--I hate him!'
'What are we going to do?'
'Well,' said Agatha, rousing herself, 'we have been talking over matters
together. You see, we can be independent of each other if we choose,
for we are all of age, and have each about 100 pounds a year, besides
what the sale of this house will bring us.'
'Oh, she left us this house, did she? Then why can't we go on living
here?'
'The lease terminates at the end of this year, and we have not the
income to keep it up. Why, Elfie, a town house like this is ruinous for
people of small means! I feel anxious for us to have a home together
somewhere, even if we have to go into the country for it; but, of course,
I would not influence any of you to side with me against your
inclinations.'

'It would be an establishment of old maids; single women, shall we say?
It doesn't sound very nice, buried away in the country.'
Elfie spoke dubiously; then Gwen broke in, 'Well, if Clare is wise, she
will marry soon. I'm sure two years' engagement ought to be long
enough in all conscience to satisfy her!'
Clare's soft cheeks flushed a little.
'Hugh is going out to Africa, you know, with a survey party. We could
not settle till after that. He is quite of the same mind as I am on that
point!'
'Do you like the country plan, Gwen?' asked Elfie.
'Yes, I think I do. I am personally sick of town. A suburban life would
be intolerable, and we have all resources enough to prevent us from
stagnating.'
Elfie gave a little sigh.
'You don't know how I was looking forward to a London season. I have
been in Germany ever since I left school, studying music. And now
what is the good of it? I shall be out of touch with it entirely.'
'Would you like to stay in town for a little?' asked Agatha
sympathetically. 'We could easily arrange for you to board with some
nice people somewhere.'
'No, I will come with you, and see how it works. I suppose we shall not
be banished from London for ever? We can sometimes come up for a
short stay?'
'Oh yes, I think so. We have not settled where to live yet, but we have
been looking through some house agents' lists, and Gwen is full of
plans, as usual.'
'You would be badly off without me to keep you all alive,' said Gwen
laughing. 'If I were by myself, I would like nothing better than a

caravan or a house-boat; but that wouldn't suit all of us.'
'Not me,' said Clare, with a little grimace of disgust.
'Oh, it is a shame!' exclaimed Elfie, springing up, and walking up and
down in her excitement; 'how dare Cousin James behave so
treacherously! Can't we dispute the will? Can't we go to law?'
'It is useless to think of such a thing. We can prove nothing. He is a
man, and has had a jealous feeling of us all our lives. Now fortune has
favoured him, and he is glorying in his prosperity. He is rightly named
James, or Jacob, for he is a base supplanter!'
'Will you give me a cup of tea?'
Gwen started at the voice following her hot outburst so quickly, and
Elfie stopped her hurried walk, and turned a little defiantly towards the
new-comer.
Mr. James Dane was a quiet-looking, sprucely-dressed man of over
forty years of age. He seated himself with the greatest equanimity in the
midst of the group, and Agatha in silence poured him out a cup of tea,
and handed it to him.
'I am afraid I have interrupted a very animated discussion,' he said
blandly. 'I suppose you are arranging future plans. Of course, you
cannot well remain here. Would you like me to take any steps about the
sale for you? I shall be a week longer in town.'
'Mr. Watkins will arrange all that for us, thank you,' replied Agatha
quietly.
'Oh, very well. Why, Elfrida, I never noticed you! Just come back from
Germany, have you? It seems to have suited your health. You are
looking quite bonny.'
'I don't feel so,' was the blunt reply; 'it is not a very happy
home-coming!'

'No, of course not. But, as my wife was saying this morning, you girls
can only have pleasant memories of your dear aunt, who did so much
for you all when she was alive. I remember when first you all arrived
from India, and she was in such an anxious state