The Last and the First by Ivy Compton-Burnett Page B

Hollander, you are there. You come and go without a sound.”
    Hollander just smiled and inclined his head, and resumed the occupation he had left.
    â€œHow much have you heard of this matter? I suppose you know the whole?”
    â€œIt is chiefly snatches that reach me, ma’am,” said Hollander, not denying that he was receptive to these.
    â€œWe don’t want it gossiped about behind the scenes.”
    Hollander’s smile deepened. “No ma’am. If gossip is in question, I am hardly the person to be cited.”
    â€œRemember not to mention it. Or have you already done so?”
    â€œNo, ma’am, unless an incidental word may have passed my lips,” said Hollander, in a tone so incidental that it was hardly articulate.
    â€œIt will be all round the neighbourhood. But nothing could prevent it. There are things that can’t remain a secret.”
    â€œYes, ma’am. It will not be the word to be applied.”
    â€œWe need not be conscious about it. There is nothing to be ashamed of.”
    â€œNo, indeed, ma’am, that feeling is not on your side. The slur of being supplanted should rest on the person who causes it.”
    â€œWe have no grievance. People can do as they will with their own.”
    â€œYes, ma’am, it seems to be the case. But the word is hardly a misnomer.”
    â€œShall we be much poorer?” said Osbert. “Did Uncle contribute much to the household?”
    Hollander continued his movements, but his eyes were still.
    â€œWe will talk about all of it presently,” said Jocasta, using a weary tone.
    Hollander turned as if at dismissal, left the room and closed the door.
    â€œHollander has had a treat,” said Osbert. “A thing that can’t be said of anyone else.”
    â€œIt does seem that Miss Heriot may waive her claim,” said Jocasta. “I feel I should in her place.”
    â€œWhy must we have places of our own?” said Erica. “We should do so well in other people’s, so much better than they do themselves.”
    â€œThere is no reason in her inheriting anything. She can regard nothing as hers.”
    â€œPeople do regard what they inherit as theirs. That is the meaning of inheritance.”
    â€œAs she did not accept your uncle, she has no moral claim.”
    â€œPerhaps she knew she would have it anyhow,” said Amy, “and so didn’t have to accept him.”
    â€œYou asked what your uncle gave to the household, Osbert,” said Jocasta, disregarding her grand-daughter. “I could hardly enlighten you and Hollander together. He gave nothing but the cost of his support. His interest lay in harbouring what he had; and I understood him and laid no hand on it. He was in his way such a very good son. It means that Miss Heriot inherits more, and we have less than would otherwise be the case. But we shall not be actually poorer. There will be no difference.”
    â€œI may come in to finish the table, ma’am?” said Hollander, in a tone between question and statement, acting on the latter assumption.
    â€œYes, come in. We have no secrets from you. Indeed, I think from anyone. Perhaps there are no such things.”
    â€œWell, ma’am, this occurrence would hardly be among them.”
    â€œIt is a surprise and shock. But it doesn’t bear on the real trouble.”
    â€œNo, ma’am,” said Hollander, in sympathy. “Not on the knowledge that after all his feeling was not yours.”
    â€œNo, I could not think that. I meant the trouble of his death.”
    â€œYes, ma’am, but the heart knoweth. And other words ensue.”
    â€œMoney is an accidental thing. And we must not grudge Miss Heriot what he wished her to have.”
    â€œNo, ma’am? I am inclined to do so for you. And in some people the feeling may partake of pity which has an unwelcome flavour.”
    â€œSome of it will be sympathy, and we shall be grateful