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Updated: June 10, 2025
"Yes," said Lewisham a little reluctantly. "Yes. A hundred a year or so. That's the sort of idea. And there's lots of places beyond South Kensington, of course, even if they don't put me up there." "I see," said Chaffery; "but it will be a pretty close shave for all that one hundred a year.
The collapse of the previous night had distressed him dreadfully, and ever and again before his retreat he had been breaking into passionate monologue. The ruin of a life-work, it was, no less. Surely she had known that Chaffery was a cheat. Had she not known? Silence. "After so many kindnesses " She interrupted him with a wailing, "Oh, I know I know."
Chaffery the Lewishams veiled whatever trouble might be between them beneath an insincere cordiality, and Chaffery was soon talking freely, unsuspicious of their crisis. He produced two cigars. "I had a wild moment," he said. "'For once, said I, 'the honest shall smoke the admirable or the admirable shall smoke the honest, whichever you like best. Try one? No? Those austere principles of yours!
Chaffery kissed Lewisham an effusive good-bye, and told Ethel she really believed it was all for the best. On the way home Lewisham was thoughtful and preoccupied. The problem of Chaffery assumed enormous proportions. At times indeed even that good man's own philosophical sketch of himself as a practical exponent of mental sincerity touched with humour and the artistic spirit, seemed plausible.
He paused. Lewisham appeared involved in some interior struggle. "You know," explained Chaffery, "it was quite an accident you got me quite. The thing slipped out of my mouth. Or your friend with, the flat voice wouldn't have had a chance. Not a chance." Lewisham spoke like a man who is lifting a weight. "All this, you know, is off the question. I'm not disputing your ability.
And of all letters that which Jane wrote there! But he's waiting and listening " "Are we to go downstairs, Mums?" asked Ethel. "He's waiting for you there," said Mrs. Chaffery. She held a dismal little oil lamp, and they descended a tenebrous spiral structure into an underground breakfast-room lit by gas that shone through a partially frosted globe with cut-glass stars.
By that time a course of action was already agreed upon. Mrs. Chaffery was tied to the house in Clapham by a long lease, and thither they must go. The ground floor and first floor were let unfurnished, and the rent of these practically paid the rent of the house. The Chafferys occupied basement and second floor.
Lewisham fumbled in his pocket for his Algerian cigarettes, and Chaffery having regarded them unfavourably through his glasses, took up the thread of his promised apologia. The ladies retired to wash up the supper things. "You see," said Chaffery, opening abruptly so soon as the clay was drawing, about this cheating I do not find life such a simple matter as you do."
I'll stand by you." "Ah!" said Mrs. Chaffery. "As if I didn't know!" and Ethel came and kissed him. He seemed in imminent danger of universal embraces. "I wish you'd let me have my tea," he said. And while he had his tea he asked Mrs. Chaffery questions and tried to get the new situation into focus.
I have spoken plainly with this man Chaffery. He's not a full-blown professor, you know, a highly salaried ornament of the rock of truth like your demonstration-rigging professors here, and so I can speak plainly to him without offence. He takes quite the view they would take. But I am more rigorous. I insist that there shall be no more of this...." "Next time " said Smithers with irony.
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