XVI
THE VISIT
THE visit began on the usual lines of such visits, the home team,
so to speak--Howard and Jack--having to fit a round of festivities
into a life which under normal circumstances was already, if
anything, too full, with the result that, at all events, Howard's
geniality was tense, and tended to be forced. Only in youth can one
abandon oneself to high spirits; as one grows older one desires
more to contemplate one's own mirth, and assure oneself that it is
genuine.
Jack met them at the station, and they had tea in his rooms, Howard
refusing firmly to come.
"You must just give them a chance of a private word or two!" he
said.
"Why, that's exactly what I want to avoid!" said Jack. "Besides, my
family is never private--we haven't any company manners. But I
expect you are right. Father will want one innings, and I think
it's fair he should have it!"
They were, however, to dine with Howard, who, contrary to his wont,
lavished some care on flowers and decorations, to make the place
unobtrusively pretty and home-like, and he determined that he would
be as quiet and straightforward as he could, but promised himself
at least one afternoon with Maud strolling round the place. But
this was all to happen as if by chance, and with no scheming or
diplomacy.
They came; and Howard saw at once that Maud was timid and somewhat
out of spirits; she looked tired, and this, so far from diminishing
her charm, seemed to Howard to make it almost intolerably appealing
to him.
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