The next morning Edwin overslept himself. He seldom rose easily from
his bed, and his first passage down Trafalgar Road to business was
notoriously hurried; the whole thoroughfare was acquainted with its
special character. Often his father arrived at the shop before him, but
Edwin's conscience would say that of course if Darius went down early
for his own passion and pleasure, that was Darius's affair. Edwin's
official time for beginning work was half-past eight. And at half-past
eight, on this morning, he was barely out of the bath. His lateness,
however, did not disturb him; there was an excuse for it. He hoped that
his father would be in bed, and decided that he must go and see, and, if
the old man was still sufficiently pliant, advise him to stay where he
was until he had had some food.
But, looking out of the window over a half-buttoned collar, he saw his
father dressed and in the garden. Darius had resumed the suit of
broadcloth, for some strange reason, and was dragging his feet with
painful, heavy slowness along the gravel at the south end of the garden.
He carried in his left hand the "Signal," crumpled. A cloth cap,
surmounting the ceremonious suit, gave to his head a ridiculous
appearance. He was gazing at the earth with an expression of absorbed
and acute melancholy. When he reached the end of the path, he looked
round, at a loss, then turned, as if on an inefficient pivot, and set
himself in motion again. Edwin was troubled by this singular episode.
And yet his reason argued with his instinct to the effect that he ought
not to be troubled. Evidently the sturdy Darius was not ill. Nothing
serious could be the matter. He had been harrowed and fatigued by the
funeral; no more. In another day, doubtless, he would be again the
harsh employer astoundingly concentrated in affairs and impervious to
the emotional appeal of aught else. Nevertheless he made a strange
sight, parading his excessive sadness there in the garden.
A knock at Edwin's door! He was startled. "Hold on!" he cried, went to
the door, and cautiously opened it. Maggie was on the mat.
"Here's Auntie Clara!" she said in a whisper, perturbed. "She's come
about father. Shall you be long?"
"About father? What about father?"
"It seems she saw him last night. He called there. And she was
anxious."
"Oh! I see!" Edwin affected to be relieved. Maggie nodded, also
affecting, somewhat eagerly, to be relieved. But neither of them was
relieved. Auntie Clara calling at half-past eight! Auntie Clara
neglecting that which she never neglected--the unalterable and divinely
appointed rites for the daily cleansing and ordering of her abode!
"I shall be down in ten secs," said he. "Father's in the garden," he
added, almost kindly. "Seems all right."
"Yes," said Maggie, with cheerfulness, and went. He closed the door.
------------------------------------------------------------------------