We are all relations together, and I must try to make
up for lost time. I seem to know my aunt so well already. She has a
great gift for letting one see into her mind and heart--and I know
your father too, and Jack, and I want to know you; we must be a
family party, and talk quite simply and freely about all our
concerns."
"Oh, yes, indeed I will," said Maud--"and I find myself wondering
how easy it is to talk to you. You do seem like a relation; as if
you had always been here, indeed; but I must not talk too much
about myself--I do chatter very freely to Cousin Anne; but I don't
think it is good for one to talk about oneself, do you? It makes
one feel so important!"
"It depends who one talks to," said Howard, "but I don't believe in
holding one's tongue too much, if one trusts people. It seems to me
the simplest thing to do; I only found it out a few years ago--how
much one gained by talking freely and directly. It seems to me an
uncivilised, almost a savage thing to be afraid of giving oneself
away. I don't mind who knows about my own concerns, if he is
sufficiently interested. I will tell you anything you like about
myself, because I should like you to realise how I live. In fact, I
shall want you all to come and see me at Cambridge; and then you
will be able to understand how we live there, while I shall know
what is going on here. And I am really a very safe person to talk
to. One gets to know a lot of young men, year by year--and I'm a
mine of small secrets.
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