‘Heredity? That’s drink, isn’t it?’
She who has been to so many theatres smiles at him. ‘No, you boy! It’s something in a play. It means that if we know ourselves well, we know our parents also. From thinking of myself, Cosmo, I know mother. In her youth she was one who did not love easily; but when she loved once it was for aye. A nature very difficult to understand, but profoundly interesting. I can feel her within me, as she was when she walked down the aisle on that strong arm, to honour and obey him henceforth for aye. What cared they that they had to leave their native land, they were together for aye. And so—’ Her face is flushed. Cosmo interrupts selfishly.
‘What about father?’
‘Very nice, unless you mention rupees to him. You see the pensions of all Indian officers are paid in rupees, which means that for every 2s. due to them they get only 1s. 4d. If you mention rupees to any one of them he flares up like a burning paper.’
‘I know. I shall take care. But what would you say he was like by heredity?’
‘Quiet, unassuming, yet of an intensely proud nature. One who if he was deceived would never face his fellow-creatures, but would bow his head before the wind and die. A strong man.’
‘Do you mean, Amy, that he takes all that from me?’
‘I mean that is the sort of man my mother would love.’
Cosmo nods. ‘Yes, but he is just as likely to kiss me as ever.’
The return of Ginevra makes him feel that this room is no place for him.