Exploring 'A Room With a View' Chapters 1-20: Love, Society, and Self-Discovery

A Room With a View chapter one The barolini the Senora had no business to do it said Miss Bartlett no business at

all she promised us South rooms with a view close together instead of which here are North rooms looking into a

courtyard and a long way apart oh Lucy and a cockney besides said Lucy who had been further saddened by the Senora's

unexpected accent it might be London she looked at the two rows of English people who were sitting at the table at the row

of white bottles of water and red bottles of wine that ran between the English people at the portraits of the

late queen and the late poet laurate that hung behind the English people heavily framed at the notice of the

English church Reverend Cuthbert eager M A Oxon that was the only other decoration of the wall Charlotte don't

you feel too that we might be in London I can hardly believe that all kinds of other things are just outside I suppose

it is one's being so tired this meat has surely been used for Soup said Miss Bartlett laying down her fork I want so

to see the ano the rooms the Senora promised us in her letter would have looked over the Arno the Senora had no

business to do it at all oh it is a shame any Nook does for me Miss Bartlett continued but it does seem hard that you

shouldn't have a view Lucy felt that she had been selfish Charlotte you mustn't spoil me of course you must look over

the ano too I meant that the first vacant room in the front you must have it said Miss Bartlett part of whose

traveling expenses were paid by Lucy's mother a piece of generos it to which she made many a tactful illusion no no

you must have it I insist on it your mother would never forgive me Lucy she would never forgive me the lady's voices

grew animated and if the sad truth be owned a little peevish they were tired and under the GU of unselfishness they

wrangled some of their neighbors interchanged glances and one of them one of the ill-bred people whom one does

meet abroad lent forward over the table and actually intruded into their argument he said I have a view I have a

view Miss Bartlett was startled generally at a pension people looked them over for a day or two before

speaking and often did not find out that they would do till they had gone she knew that the Intruder was Ill bred even

before she glanced at him he was an old man of heavy build with a fair shaven face and large eyes there was something

childish in those eyes though it was not the childishness of senility what exactly it was Miss Bartlet did not stop

to consider for her glance passed on to his clothes these did not attract her he was probably trying to become acquainted

with them before they got into the swim so she assumed a dazed expression when he spoke to her and then said a view oh

a view how delightful of you is this is my son said the old man his name's George he has a view too ah said Miss

Bartlett repressing Lucy who was about to speak what I mean he continued is that you can have our rooms and we'll

have yours we'll change the better class of tourists was shocked at this and sympathized with the

newcomers Miss Bartlett in reply opened her mouth as little as possible and said thank you very much indeed that is out

of the question why said the old man with both fists on the table because it is quite out of the question thank you

you see we don't like to take began Lucy her cousin again repressed her but why he persisted women like looking at a

view men don't and he thumped with his fists like a naughty child and turned to his son saying George persuade them it's

so obvious they should have the rooms said the son there's nothing else to say he did not look at the ladies as he

spoke but his voice was perplexed and sorrow ful Lucy too was perplexed but she saw that they were in for what is

known as quite a scene and she had an odd feeling that whenever these ill-bred tourists spoke the contest widened and

deepened till it dealt not with rooms and Views but with well with something quite different whose existence she had

not realized before now the old man attacked Miss Bartlett almost violently why should she not change what possible

objection had she they would clear out in half an hour Miss Bartlett though skilled in the Delicacies of

conversation was powerless in the presence of brutality it was impossible to snub anyone so gross her face rened

with displeasure she looked around as much as to say are you all like this and two little old ladies who were sitting

further up the table with Shaws hanging over the backs of the chair looked back clearly indicating we are

not we are gential eat your dinner dear she said to Lucy and began to toy again with the meat that she had once censured

Lucy mumbled that those seemed very odd people opposite eat your dinner dear this pension is a failure tomorrow we

will make a change hardly had she announced this fell decision when she reversed it the curtains at the end of

the room parted and revealed a clergyman Stout but attractive who hurried forward to take his place at the table

cheerfully apologizing for his lateness Lucy who had not yet acquired decency at once Rose to her feet exclaiming oh oh

why it's Mr BBE oh how perfectly lovely Oh Charlotte we must stop now however bad the rooms are

oh miss Bartlett said with more restraint how do you do Mr BB I expect that you have forgotten us miss Bartlett

and Miss honey Church who were at tonbridge Wells when you helped the Vicor of St peters's that very cold

Easter the clergyman who had the air of one on a holiday did not remember the ladies quite as clearly as they

remembered him but he came forward pleasantly enough and accepted the chair chair into which he was beckoned by Lucy

I am so glad to see you said the girl who was in a state of spiritual starvation and would have been glad to

see the waiter if her cousin had permitted it just fancy how small the world is Summer Street 2 makes it so

specially funny Miss honey Church lives in the Parish of Summer Street said Miss Bartlett filling up the Gap and she

happened to tell me in the course of convers ation that you have just accepted the living yes I heard from

mother so last week she didn't know that I knew you at tonbridge Wells but I wrote back at once and I said Mr BB is

quite right said the clergyman I move into the rectory at Summer Street next June I am lucky to be appointed to such

a Charming neighborhood oh how glad I am the name of our house is windy Corner Mr BB bowed there is mother and me

generally and my brother though it's not often we get him to see it the church is rather far off I mean Lucy dearest let

Mr B eat his dinner I am eating it thank you and enjoying it he preferred to talk to Lucy whose playing he remembered

rather than to miss Bartlett who probably remembered his sermons he asked the girl whether she knew Florence well

and was informed at some length that she had never been there before it is delightful to advise a newcomer and he

was first in the field don't neglect the country round his advice concluded the first fine afternoon drive up to Fela

and Round by Stig Nano or something of that sort no cried a voice from the top of the table Mr BB you are wrong the

first fine afternoon your ladies must go to prto that lady looks so clever whispered Miss Bartlett to her cousin we

are in luck and indeed a perfect torrent of information burst on them people told them what to see when to see it how to

stop the electric trams how to get rid of the Beggars how much to give for a Vellum blotter how much the place would

grow up on them the pension bertolini had decided almost enthusiastically that they would do

whichever way they looked kind lady smiled and shouted at them and above all Rose the voice of the clever lady crying

prto they must go to prto that place is too sweetly squalled for words I love it I Revel in shaking off the traml of

respectability as you know no the young man named George glanced at the clever lady and then returned moodily to his

plate obviously he and his father did not do Lucy in the midst of her success found time to wish they did it gave her

no extra pleasure that anyone should be left in the cold and when she Rose to go she turned back and gave the two

Outsiders a nervous little bow the father did not see it the son acknowledged it not by another bow but

by raising his eyebrows and smiling he seemed to be smiling across something she hastened after her cousin who had

already disappeared through the curtains curtains which smoked one in the face and seemed heavy with more than cloth

Beyond them stood the unreliable Senora bowing good evening to her guests and supported by anry her little boy and

Victoria her daughter it made a curious little scene this attempt of the Cockney to convey the grace and geniality of the

South and even more Curious was the drawing room which attempted to rival the solid comfort of a bloomsberry

boarding house was this really Italy miss Bartlet was already seated on a tightly stuffed armchair which had the

color and the Contours of a tomato she was talking to Mr BBE and as she spoke her long NE narrow head drove backwards

and forwards slowly regularly as though she were demolishing some invisible obstacle we are most grateful to you she

was saying the first evening means so much when you arrived we were in for a peculiarly Moise Court deer he expressed

his regret do you by any chance know the name of an old man who sat opposite us at dinner Emon is he a friend of yours

we are friendly as one is in pensions then I will say no more he pressed her very slightly and she said more I am as

it were she concluded the chaperon of my young cousin Lucy and it would be a serious thing if I put her under an

obligation to people of whom we know nothing his manner was somewhat unfortunate I hope I acted for the best

you acted very naturally said he he seemed thoughtful and after a few moments added all the same I don't think

much harm would have come of accepting no harm of course but we could not be under an

obligation he is rather A peculiar man again he hesitated and then said gently I think he would not take advantage of

your acceptance nor expect you to show gratitude he has the Merit if it is one of saying exactly what he means he has

rooms he does not value and he thinks you would value them he no more thought of putting you under an obligation than

he thought of being polite it is so difficult at least I find it difficult to understand people who speak the truth

Lucy was pleased and said I was hoping that he would was nice I do so always hope that people will be nice I think he

is nice and tiresome I differ from him on almost every point of any importance and so I expect I may say I hope you

will differ but his is a type one disagrees with rather than deplores when he first came here he not unnaturally

put people's backs up he has no tact and no manners I don't mean by that that he has Bad Manners and he will not keep his

opinions to himself we nearly complained about him to our depressing Senora but I am glad to say we thought better of it

am I to conclude said Miss Bartlett that he is a socialist Mr BB accepted the convenient word not without a slight

twitching of the lips and presumably he has brought up his son to be a socialist too

I hardly know George for he hasn't leared to talk yet he seems a nice creature and I think he has brains of

course he has all his father's mannerisms and it is quite possible that he too may be a

socialist oh you relieve me said Miss Bartlett so you think I ought to have accepted their offer you feel I have

been narrow-minded and suspicious not at all he answered I never suggested that but ought I not to apologize at all

events for my apparent rudeness he replied with some irritation that it would be quite unnecessary and

got up from his seat to go to the smoking room was I a boore said Miss Bartlett as soon as he had disappeared

why didn't you talk Lucy he prefers young people I'm sure I do hope I haven't monopolized him I

hoped you would have him all the evening as well as all dinner time he is nice exclaimed Lucy just what I remember he

seems to see good in everyone no one would take him for a clergyman my dear Lucia well you know what I mean and you

know how clergymen generally laugh Mr BB laughs just like an ordinary man funny girl how you do remind me of your mother

I wonder if she will approve of Mr B I'm sure she will and so will Freddy I think everyone at Windy corner will

approve it is the fashionable world I am used to tonbridge Wells where we are all hopelessly behind the

times yes said Lucy despondently there was a haze of disapproval in the air but whether the disapproval was of

herself or of Mr BBE or of the fashionable world at Windy corner or of the narrow world at tonbridge Wells she

could not determine she tried to located it but as usual she blundered miss Bartlett sedulously denied disapproving

of anyone and added I am afraid you are finding me a very depressing companion and the girl again thought thought I

must have been selfish or unkind I must be more careful it is so dreadful for Charlotte being poor fortunately one of

the little old ladies who for some time had been smiling very benignly now approached and asked if she might be

allowed to sit where Mr BB had sat permission granted she began to chatter gently about Italy the plunge it had

been to come there the gratifying success of the plunge the Improvement in her sister's Health the necessity of

closing the bedroom windows at night and of Thoroughly emptying the water bottles in the morning she handled her subjects

agreeably and they were perhaps more worthy of attention than the high discourse upon GS and gibelin which was

proceeding tempestuously at the other end of the room it was a real catastrophe not a mere episode that

evening of hers at Venice when she had found in her bedroom something that is one worse than a flea though one better

than something else but here you are as safe as in England Senora bertolini is so English yet our rooms smell said poor

Lucy we dread going to bed ah then you look into the court she sighed if only Mr Emerson was more tactful we were so

sorry for you at dinner I think was meaning to be kind undoubtedly he was said Miss Bartlett Mr BB has just been

scolding me for my suspicious nature of course I was holding back on my cousin's account of course said the little old

lady and they murmured that one could not be too careful with a young girl Lucy tried to look demure but could not

help feeling a great fool no one was careful with her at home or at all events she had not noticed it about old

Mr Emison I hardly know no he is not tactful yet have you ever noticed that there are people who do things which are

most indelicate and yet at the same time beautiful beautiful said Miss Bartlett puzzled at the word are not Beauty and

delicacy the same so one would have thought said the other helplessly but things are so difficult I sometimes

think she proceeded no further into things for Mr BB reappeared looking extremely Pleasant Miss Bartlet he cried

it's all right about the rooms I'm so glad Mr Emerson was talking about it in the smoking room and knowing what I did

I encouraged him to make the offer again he has let me come and and ask you he would be so pleased Oh Charlotte cried

Lucy to her cousin we must have the rooms now the old man is just as nice and kind as he can be Miss Bartlett was

silent I fear said Mr BBE after a pause that I have been officious I must apologize for my

interference Gravely displeased he turned to go not to till then did Miss Bartlett reply my own wishes dearest

Lucy are unimportant in comparison with yours it would be hard indeed if I stopped you doing as you liked at

Florence when I am only here through your kindness if you wish me to turn these gentlemen out of their rooms I

will do it would you then Mr BB kindly tell Mr Emerson that I accept his kind offer and then conduct him to me in

order that I may thank him personally she raised her voice as she spoke it was heard all over the drawing room and

silenced the GS and the gibelin the clergyman inwardly cursing the female sex bowed and departed with her message

remember Lucy I alone am implicated in this I do not wish the acceptance to come from you grant me that at all

events Mr B was back saying rather nervously Mr Emerson is engaged but here is his son

instead the young man gazed down on the three ladies who felt Seated on the floor so low were their chairs my father

he said is in his bath so you cannot thank him personally but any message given by you to me will be given by me

to him as soon as he comes out Miss Bartlet was unequal to the bath all her Barbed civilities came forth wrong and

first young Mr Emerson scored a notable Triumph to the Delight of Mr B and to the secret Delight of Lucy poor young

man said Miss botet as soon as he had gone how angry he is with his father about the rooms it is all he can do to

keep polite in half an hour or so your rooms will be ready said Mr BBE then looking rather thoughtfully at the Two

Cousins he retired to his own rooms to write up his philosophic diary oh dear breathed the little old lady and

shuddered as if all the Winds of Heaven had entered the apartment gentlemen sometimes do not realize her voice faded

away but miss Bartlett seemed to understand and a conversation developed in which gentlemen who did not

thoroughly realize played play a principal part Lucy not realizing either was reduced to literature taking up

Baker's handbook to Northern Italy she committed to memory the most important dates of florentine history for she was

determined to enjoy herself on the morrow thus the half hour crept profitably away and at last Miss

Bartlett rose with a sigh and said I think one might venture now no Lucy do not stir I will superintend the move how

you do do everything said Lucy naturally dear it is my Affair but I would like to help you no dear Charlotte's energy and

her unselfishness she had been thus all her life but really on this Italian tour she

was surpassing herself so Lucy felt or strove to feel and yet there was a rebellious spirit in her which wondered

whether the acceptance might not have been less delicate and More Beautiful at all events she entered her own room

without any feeling of Joy I want to explain said Miss Bartlet why it is that I have taken the largest room naturally

of course I should have given it to you but I happen to know that it belongs to the young man and I was sure your mother

would not like it Lucy was bewildered if you are to accept a favor it is more suitable you should be under an

obligation to his father than to him I am a woman of the world in my small way and I know where things lead to however

Mr BB is a guarantee of A Sort that they will not presume on this mother wouldn't mind I'm sure said Lucy but again had

the sense of of larger and unsuspected issues Miss Bartlett only sighed and enveloped her in a protecting Embrace as

she wished her good night it gave Lucy the sensation of a fog and when she reached her own room she opened the

window and breathed the clean night air thinking of the kind old man who had enabled her to see the lights dancing in

the Arno and the cypresses of San Minato and the foothills of the appenines black Against The Rising Moon Miss Bart in her

room fastened the window shutters and locked the door and then made a tour of the apartment to see where the cupboards

LED and whether there were any oblets or secret entrances it was then that she saw pinned up over the washstand a sheet

of paper on which was scrolled an enormous note of interrogation nothing more what does it mean she thought and

she examined it carefully by the light of a candle meaningless at first it gradually became menacing obnoxious

portentous with evil she was seized with an Impulse to destroy it but fortunately remembered that she had no right to do

so since it must be the property of young Mr Emerson so she unpinned it carefully and put it between two pieces

of blotting paper to keep it clean for him then she completed her inspection of the room sighed heavily according to her

habit and when went to bed chapter 2 in Santa cochi with no Baker it was pleasant to wake up in Florence to Open

the Eyes Upon a bright bare room with a floor of red tiles which look clean though they are not with a painted

ceiling whereon pink Griffins and blue am Morini sport in a forest of yellow violins and bassoons it was pleasant too

to fling wide the windows pinching the fingers in unfamiliar fastenings to lean out into sunshine shine with beautiful

Hills and trees and marble churches opposite and close below the Arno gurgling against the embankment of the

road over the rivermen were at work with Spades and sees on the Sandy foreshore and on the river was a boat also

diligently employed for some mysterious end an electric tram came rushing underneath the window no one was inside

it except one tourist but its platforms were overflowing with Italians who preferred to stand children tried to

hang on behind and the conductor With No Malice spat in their faces to make them let go then soldiers appeared

good-looking undersized men wearing each a napsack covered with mangy fur and a great coat which had been cut for some

larger Soldier beside them walked officers looking foolish and Fierce and before them went little boys turning

sumers assults in time with the band the tram car became entangled in their ranks and moved on painfully like a

caterpillar in a swarm of ants one of the little boys fell down and some white Bullocks came out of an archway indeed

if it had not been for the good advice of an old man who was selling button hooks the road might never have got

clear over such trivialities as these many a valuable Hour May slip away and The Traveler who has gone to Italy to

study the tactial values of jotto or the corruption of the papacy May return remembering nothing but the blue sky and

the men and women who live under it so it was as well that Miss Bartlett should tap and come in and having commented on

Lucy's leaving the door unlocked and on her leaning out of the window before she was fully dressed should urge her to

hasten herself or the best of the day would be gone by the time Lucy was ready her cousin had done her breakfast and

was listening to the clever lady among the crumbs a conversation then ensued on not unfamiliar lines Miss Bartlett was

after all a wee bit tired and thought they had better spend the morning settling in unless Lucy would at all

like to go out Lucy would rather like to go out as it was her first day in Florence but of course she could go

alone Miss Bartlett could not allow this this of course she would accompany Lucy everywhere oh certainly not Lucy would

stop with her cousin oh no that would never do oh yes at this point the clever lady broke in if it is Mrs Grundy who is

troubling you I do assure you that you can neglect the good person being English Miss honey church will be

perfectly safe Italians understand and a dear friend of mine Contessa baronelli has two daughters and when she cannot

send a maid to school with them she lets them go in Sailor hats instead everyone takes them for English you see

especially if their hair is strained tightly behind Miss Bartlett was unconvinced by

the safety of Contessa barelli's daughters she was determined to take Lucy herself her head not being so very

bad the clever lady then said that she was going to spend a long morning in Santa cochi and if Lucy would come too

she would be delighted I will take you by a dear dirty back way Miss honey church and if you bring me luck we shall

have an adventure Lucy said that this was most kind and at once opened the baker to see where Santa cochi was toot

toot Miss Lucy I hope we shall soon emancipate you from Baker he does but touch the surface of things as to the

true Italy he does not even dream of it the true Italy is only to be found by patient

observation this sounded very interesting and Lucy hurried over her breakfast and started with her new

friend in High Spirits Italy was coming at last the Cockney senora and her Works had vanished like a bad dream Miss

lavish for that was the clever lady's name turned to the right along the sunny lung Arno how delightfully warm but a

wind down the side streets cut Like a Knife didn't it Ponte Al grer particularly interesting mentioned

by Dante San Minato beautiful as well as interesting the crucifix that kissed a murderer Miss honey Church would

remember the story the men on the river were fishing untrue but then so is most information then miss lavish darted

under the archway of the white Bullocks and she stopped and she cried a smell a true Florentine smell every city let me

teach you has its own smell is it a very nice smell said Lucy who had inherited from her mother a distaste to dirt one

doesn't come to Italy for niceness was the retort one comes for Life

wjo bowing right and left look at that adorable wine cart how the driver stares at us dear simple Soul so miss lavish

proceeded through the streets of the City of Florence short fidgety and playful as a kitten though without a

kitten's Grace it was a treat for the girl to be with anyone so clever and so cheerful and a blue military cloak such

as an Italian officer wears only increased the sense of festivity bno take the word of an old woman Miss Lucy

you will never repent of a little civility to your inferiors that is the true democracy though I am a real

radical as well there now you're shocked indeed I'm not exclaimed Lucy we are radicals too out

and out my father always voted for Mr Gladstone until he was so Dreadful about Ireland I see I see and now you have

gone over to the enemy oh please if my father was alive I'm sure he would vote radical again now that Ireland is all

right and as it is the glass over our front door was broken last election and Freddy is sure it was the Tories but

mother says nonsense a shameful a manufacturing District I suppose no in the Su Hills about 5 miles from Dorking

looking over the wield Miss lavish seemed interested and slackened her Trot what a delightful

part I know it so well it is full of the very nicest people do you know sir Harry Otway a radical if ever there was very

well indeed and old Mrs Butterworth the philanthropist why she rents a field of us how funny Miss lavish looked at the

narrow ribbon of sky and murmured oh you have property in sui hardly any said Lucy fearful of being thought a snob

only 30 Acres just the garden all downhill and some Fields Miss lavish was not disgusted and

said it was just the size of her aunt's suffk estate Italy receded they tried to remember the last name of Lady Louisa

someone who had taken a house near Summer Street the other year but she had not liked it which was odd of her and

just as Miss lavish had got the name she broke off and exclaimed bless us bless us and save us we've lost the way

certainly they had seemed a long time in reaching Santa cochi the Tower of which had been plainly visible from The

Landing window but miss lavish had said so much about knowing her Florence by heart that Lucy Had followed her with no

misgivings lost lost my dear Miss Lucy during our political diet tribes we have taken a wrong turning how those horrid

conservatives would Jer at us what are we to do two lone females in an unknown town now this is what I call an

adventure Lucy who wanted to see Santa cochi suggested as a possible solution that they should ask the way there oh

but that is the word of a craven and no you are not not not to look at your Baker give it to me I sh let you carry

it we will simply drift accordingly they drifted through a series of those gray brown streets neither commodious nor

picturesque in which the Eastern quarter of the city abounds Lucy soon lost interest in the discontent of Lady

Louisa and became discontented herself for one ravishing moment Italy appeared she stood in the square of the anunziata

and saw in the living terra cotta those Divine babies whom no cheap reproduction can ever stale there they stood with

their shining limbs bursting from the garments of Charity and their strong white arms extended against circlets of

Heaven Lucy thought she had never seen anything more beautiful but miss lavish with a shriek of dismay dragged her

forward declaring that they were out of their path Now by at least a mile the hour was approaching at which the

continental breakfast begins or rather ceases to tell and the ladies bought some hot Chestnut paste out of a little

shop because it looked so typical it tasted partly of the paper in which it was wrapped partly of hair oil partly of

the great unknown but it gave them strength to drift into another Piaza large and Dusty on the farest side of

which rose a black and white facade of surpassing ugliness Miss lavish spoke to it dramatically it was Santa cochi the

adventure was over stop a minute let those two people go on or I shall have to speak to them eest conventional

intercourse nasty they are going into the church too oh the britisher abroad we sat opposite them at dinner last

night they have given us their rooms they were so very kind look at their figures laughed Miss lavish they walk

through my Italy like a pair of cows it's very naughty of me but I would like to set an examination paper at Dover and

turn back every tourist who couldn't pass it what would you ask us miss lavish laid her hand pleasantly on

Lucy's arm as if to suggest that she at all events would get full marks in this exalted mood they reached the steps of

the great church and were about to enter it when Miss lavish stopped squeaked flung up her arms and cried there goes

my local color box I must have a word with him and in a moment she was away over the Piaza her military cloak

flapping in the wind nor did she slacken speed till she caught up an old man with white whiskers and nipped him playfully

upon the arm Lucy waited for nearly 10 minutes then she began to get tired the Beggars worried her the dust blew in her

eyes and she remembered that a young girl ought not to loiter in public places she descended slowly into the

Piaza with the intention of rejoining Miss lavish who was really almost too original but at that moment Miss lavish

and her local color box moved also and dis disappeared down a side street both gesticulating largely tears of

indignation came to Lucy's eyes partly because Miss lavish had jilted her partly because she had taken her Baker

how could she find her way home how could she find her way about in Santa cochi her first morning was ruined and

she might never be in Florence again a few minutes ago she had been all High Spirits talking as a woman of culture

and half persuading herself that she was full of originality now she entered the church depressed and humiliated not even

able to remember whether it was built by the franciscans or the Dominicans of course it must be a wonderful building

but how like a barn and how very cold of course it contained Fresco by jotto in the presence of whose tactial values she

was capable of feeling what was proper but who was to tell her which they were she walked about disdainfully unwilling

to be enthusiastic over monuments of Uncertain authorship or date there was no one even to tell her which of all the

sepulcral slabs that paved the Nave and trps was the one that was really beautiful the one that had been most

praised by Mr rusin then the pernicious charm of Italy worked on her and instead of acquiring information she began to be

happy she puzzled out the Italian notices the notices that forbade people to introduce dogs into the church the

notice that prayed people in the interest of health and out of respect to the sacred edifice in which they found

themselves not to spit she watched the tourists their noses were as red as their Bakers so cold was Santa cochi she

beheld the horrible fate that overtook three papists two he and a she baby who began their career by saing each other

with a holy water and then proceeded to the Machiavelli Memorial dripping but hallowed advancing towards it very

slowly and from immense distances they touched the stone with their fingers with their handkerchiefs with their

heads and then retreated what could this mean they did it again and again then Lucy realized that they had mistaken

Machiavelli for some saint hoping to acquire virtue punishment followed quickly the smallest heaby stumbled over

one of the seal slabs so much admired by Mr Ruskin and entangled his feet in the features of a recumbent Bishop

Protestant as she was Lucy darted forward she was too late he fell heavily upon the preets upturned toes hateful

Bishop exclaimed the voice of old Mr em son who had darted forward also hard in life hard in death go out into the

sunshine little boy and kiss your hand to the son for that is where you ought to be intolerable

Bishop the child screamed frantically at these words and at these Dreadful people who picked him up dusted him rubbed his

bruises and told him not to be superstitious look at him said Mr am listen to Lucy here's a mess a baby hurt

cold and frightened but what else can you expect from a church the child's legs had become as melting wax each time

that old Mr Emison and Lucy said it erected collapsed with a roar fortunately an Italian lady who ought to

have been saying her prayers came to the Rescue by some mysterious virtue which mothers alone possess she stiffened the

little boy's backbone and imparted strength to his knees he stood still gibbering with agitation he walked away

you are a clever woman said Mr Emerson you have done more than all the relics in the world I am not of your Creed but

I do believe in those who make their fellow creatures happy there is no scheme of the universe he paused for a

phrase nente said the Italian lady and returned to her prayers I'm not sure she understands English suggested Lucy in

her chastened mood she no longer despised the emersons she was determined to be gracious to them beautiful rather

than delicate and if possible to erase Miss Bartlet civility by some gracious reference to the pleasant rooms that

woman understands everything was Mr Emerson's reply but what are you doing here are you doing the church are you

through with the church no cried Lucy remembering her grievance I came here with Miss lavish who was to explain

everything and just by the door it is too bad she simply ran away and after waiting quite a time I had to come in by

myself why shouldn't you said Mr Emerson yes why shouldn't you come by yourself said the son addressing the young lady

for the first time but miss lavish has even taken away Baker baker said Mr Emerson I'm glad

it's that you minded It's Worth minding the loss of a baker that's worth minding Lucy was puzzled she was again conscious

of some new idea and was not sure whether it would lead her if you've no baker said the son you'd better join us

was this where the idea would lead she took refuge in her dignity thank you very much but I could not think of that

I hope you do not suppose that I came to join on to you I really came to help with a child and to thank you for so

kindly giving us your rooms last night I hope that you have not been put to any great

inconvenience my dear said the old man gently I think that you are repeating what you have heard older people say you

are pretending to be touchy but you are not really stop being so tiresome and tell me instead what part of the church

you want to see to take you to it will be a real pleasure now this was abominably impertinent and she ought to

have have been Furious but it is sometimes as difficult to lose one's temper as it is difficult at other times

to keep it Lucy could not get cross Mr Emerson was an old man and surely a girl might humor him on the other hand his

son was a young man and she felt that a girl ought to be offended with him or at all events be offended before him it was

at him that she gazed before replying I I am not touchy I hope it is the jotos that I want to see if you will kindly

tell me which they are the son nodded with a look of somber satisfaction he led the way to the perzi

chapel there was a hint of the teacher about him she felt like a child in school who had answered a question

rightly the chapel was already filled with an Earnest congregation and out of them Rose the voice of a lecturer

directing them how to worship jotto not by tactful valuations but by the standards of the spirit remember he was

saying the facts about this church of Santa cochi how it was built by faith in the full fervor of medievalism before

any taint of the Renaissance had appeared observe how jotto in these Fresco now unhappily ruined by

restoration is untroubled by the snares of anatomy and perspective could anything be more Majestic more pathetic

beautiful true how little we feel avails knowledge and Technical cleverness against a man who truly

feels no exclaimed Mr emson in much too loud a voice for church remember nothing of the sort built by faith indeed that

simply means the workmen weren't paid properly and as for theh fros I see no truth in them look at that fat man in

blue he must weigh as much as I do and he is shooting into the sky like an air balloon he was referring to the Fresco

of the Ascension of St John inside the lecturer's voice faltered as well it might the audience

shifted uneasily and so did Lucy she was sure that she ought not to be with these men

but they had cast a spell over her they were so serious and so strange that she could not remember how to behave now did

this happen or didn't it Yes or No George replied it happened like this if it happened at all I would rather go up

to heaven by myself than be pushed by cherubs and if I got there I should like my friends to lean out of it just as

they do here you will never go up said his father you and I Dear Boy will lie at peace in the earth that bore us and

our names will disappear as surely as our work survives some of the people can only see the empty grave not the saint

whoever he is going up it did happen like that if it happened at all pardon me said a frigid voice the chapel is

somewhat small for two parties we will incommode you no longer the lecturer was a clergyman and his audience must be

also his flock for they held prayer books as well as guide books in their hands they filed out of the chapel in

silence amongst them were the two little old ladies of the pension bertolini Miss Teresa and Miss Katherine Allen stop

cried Mr Emerson there's plenty of room for us all stop the procession disappeared without a word soon the

lecturer could be heard in the next Chapel describing the life of St Francis George I do believe that clergyman is

the Brixton curate George went into the next chapel and returned saying perhaps he is I don't remember then I had better

speak to him and remind him who I am it's that Mr eager why did he go did we talk too loud how

vexatious I shall go and say we are sorry hadn't I better then perhaps he will come back he will not come back

said George but Mr Emerson contrite and unhappy hurried away to apologize to the Reverend Cuthbert eager Lucy apparently

absorbed in a Lunette could hear the lecture again interrupted the anxious aggressive voice of the old man the Kurt

injured replies of his opponent the son who took every little contron as if it were a tragedy was listening also my

father has that effect on nearly everyone he informed her he will try to be kind I hope we all try said she

smiling nervously because we think it improves our characters but he is kind to people because he loves them and they

find him out and are offended or frightened how silly of them said Lucy though in her heart she sympathized I

think that a kind action done tactfully tact he threw up his head in disdain apparently she had given the wrong

answer she watched the singular creature Pace up and down the chapel for a young man his face was rugged and

until the Shadows fell upon it hard and shadowed it sprang into tenderness she saw him once again at Rome on the

ceiling of the cine Chapel carrying a burden of acorns healthy and muscular he yet gave her the feeling of greyness of

tragedy that might only find solution in the night the feeling soon passed it was unlike her to have entertained anything

so subtle born of silence and of unknown emotion it passed when Mr Emerson returned and she could reenter the world

of Rapid talk which was alone familiar to her were you snubbed asked his son tranquil but we have spoiled the

pleasure of I don't know how many people they won't come back full of innate sympathy quickness to perceive good in

other s vision of the Brotherhood of Man scraps of a lecture on St Francis came floating round the partition wall don't

let us spoil yours he continued to Lucy have you looked at those Saints yes said Lucy they are lovely do you know which

is the tombstone that is praised in Ruskin he did not know and suggested that they should try to guess it George

rather to her relief refused to move and she and the old man wandered not unpleasantly about Santa cochi which

though it is like a barn has harvested many beautiful things inside its walls there were also Beggars to avoid and

guides to dodge round the pillars and an old lady with her dog and here and there a priest modestly edging to his Mass

through the groups of tourists but Mr Emerson was only half interested he watched the lecturer whose success he

believed he had impaired and then he anxiously watched his son why will he look at that Fresco he said uneasily I

saw nothing in it I like jotto she replied it is so wonderful what they say about his tactial values though I like

things like the delar Robia babies better so you ought a baby is worth a dozen Saints and my baby's worth the

whole of paradise and as far as I can see he lives in Hell Lucy again felt that this did not do in hell he repeated

he's unhappy oh dear said Lucy how can he be unhappy when he is strong and Alive what more is one to give him and

think how he has been brought up free from all the Superstition and ignorance that lead men to hate one another in the

name of God with such an education as that I thought he was bound to grow up happy she was no Theologian but she felt

that here was a very foolish old man as well as a very irreligious one she also felt that her mother might not like her

talking to that kind of person and that Charlotte would object most strongly what are we to do with him he asked he

comes out out for his holiday to Italy and behaves like that like the little child who ought to have been playing and

who hurt himself upon the tombstone what did you say Lucy had made no suggestion suddenly he said now don't

be stupid over this I don't require you to fall in love with my boy but I do think you might try and understand him

you are nearer his age and if you let yourself go I am sure you are sensible you might help me he has known so few

women and you have the time you stop here several weeks I suppose but Let Yourself Go you are inclined to get

muddled if I may judge from last night let yourself go pull out from the depths those thoughts that you do not

understand and spread them out in the sunlight and know the meaning of them but by understanding George you may

learn to understand yourself it will be good for both of you to this extraordinary speech Lucy found no

answer I only know what it is that's wrong with him not why it is and what is it asked Lucy fearfully expecting some

harrowing Tale the old trouble things won't fit what things the things of the universe

it is quite true they don't oh Mr Emerson whatever do you mean in his ordinary voice so that she scarcely

realized he was quoting poetry he said from far from Eve and morning and Yan 12 winded Sky the stuff of life to knit me

blw hither here am I George and I both know this but why does it distress him we know that we come from the winds and

that we shall return to them that all life is perhaps a knot a tangle a blemish in the Eternal smoothness but

why should this make us unhappy let us rather love one another and work and rejoice I don't believe in this world's

sorrow Miss honey church ascented then make my boy Think Like Us make him realize that by the side of the ever

lasting why there is a yes A transitory yes if you like but a yes suddenly she laughed surely one ought to laugh a

young man Melancholy because the universe wouldn't fit because life was a tangle or a wind or a yes or something

I'm very sorry she cried you'll think me unfeeling but but then she became matronly oh but your son wants employ

employment has he no particular hobby why I myself have worries but I can generally forget them at the piano and

collecting stamps did no end of good for my brother perhaps Italy bores him you ought to try the Alps or the Lakes the

old man's face saddened and he touched her gently with his hand this did not alarm her she thought that her advice

had impressed him and that he was thanking her for it indeed he no longer alarmed her at all she regarded him as a

kind thing but quite silly her feelings were as inflated spiritually as they had been an hour ago aesthetically before

she lost Baker the Dear George now striding towards them over the Tombstones seemed both pitiable and

absurd he approached his face in the shadow he said Miss Bartlet oh oh good gracious me said Lucy suddenly

collapsing and again seeing the whole of Life In A New Perspective where where in the Nave I see those gossiping Little

Miss Allens must have she checked herself poor girl exploded Mr Emison poor girl she could not let this pass

for it was just what she was feeling herself poor girl I fail to understand the point of that remark I think myself

a very fortunate girl I assure you I'm thoroughly happy and having a splendid time pray don't waste time mourning over

me there's enough sorrow in the world isn't there without trying to invent it goodbye thank you both so much for all

your kindness ah yes there does come my cousin a delightful morning Santa cochi is a

wonderful Church she joined her cousin it so happened that Lucy who found daily life rather chaotic entered a more solid

world when she opened the piano she was then no longer either deferential or patronizing no longer either a rebel or

a slave the kingdom of music is not the kingdom of this world it will accept Those whom breeding and int and culture

have alike rejected the commonplace person begins to play and shoots into the emperion without effort whilst we

look up marveling how he has escaped us and thinking how we could worship Him and love him would he but translate his

Visions into human words and his experiences into human actions perhaps he cannot certainly he does not or does

so very seldom Lucy had done so never she was no no dazzling executive her runs were not at all like strings of

pearls and she struck no more right notes than was suitable for one of her age and situation nor was she the

passionate young lady who performs so tragically on a summer's evening with the window open passion was there but it

could not be easily labeled it slipped between love and hatred and jealousy and all the furniture of the pictorial style

and she was tragical only in the sense that she was great for she loved to play on the side of victory victory of what

and over what that is more than the words of daily life can tell us but that some sonatas of Beethoven are written

tragic no one can gain say yet they can Triumph or despair as the player decides and Lucy had decided that they should

Triumph a very wet afternoon at the barolini permitted her to do the thing she really liked and after lunch she

opened the little draped piano a few people lingered round and praised her playing but finding that she made no

reply dispersed to their rooms to write up their Diaries or to sleep she took no notice of Mr Emison looking for his son

nor of Miss Bartlett looking for Miss lavish nor of Miss lavish looking for her cigarette case like every true

performer she was Intoxicated by the mere feel of the notes they were fingers caressing her own and by touch not by

sound alone did she come to her desire Mr BB sitting unnoticed in the window pondered this illogical element in Miss

honey church and recalled the occasion at tonbridge Wells when he had discovered it it was at one of those

entertainments where the upper classes entertain the lower the seats were filled with a respectful audience and

the ladies and gentlemen of the parish under the offices of their vicker sang or recited or imitated the drawing of a

champagne cork among the promised items was Miss honey Church piano Beethoven and Mr BB was wondering whether it would

be Adela or the march of the ruins of Athens when his composure was disturbed by the opening bars of Opus 3 he was in

suspense all through the introduction for not until the pace quickens does one know what the former intends with the

Roar of the opening theme he knew that things were going extraordinarily in the chords that Herald the conclusion he

heard the hammer Strokes of Victory he was glad that she only played the first movement for he could have paid no

attention to the winding intricacies of the measures of 9916 the audience clapped no less respectful it was Mr BB

who started the stamping it was all that one could do who is she he asked the vicar afterwards cousin of one of my

parishioners I do not consider her choice of a peace happy Beethoven is so usually simple and Direct in his appeal

that it is sheer perversity to choose a thing like that which if anything disturbs introduce me she will be

delighted she and Miss Bartlett are full of the Praises of your sermon my sermon cried Mr BBE why ever did she listen to

it when he was introduced he understood why for Miss honey Church disjoined from her music stool was only a young lady

with a quantity of dark hair and a very pretty pale undeveloped face she loved going to concerts she loved stopping

with her cousin she loved iced coffee and merang he did not doubt that she loved his sermon also but before he left

Tunbridge Wells he made a remark to the vicer which he now made to Lucy herself when she closed the little piano and

moved dreamily towards him if Miss honey church ever takes to live as she plays it will be very exciting both for us and

for her Lucy at once re-entered daily life oh what a funny thing someone said just the same to mother and she said she

trusted I should never live a duet doesn't Mrs honey Church like music she doesn't mind it but she doesn't like one

to get excited over anything she thinks I'm silly about it she thinks I can't make out once you know I said that I

liked my own playing better than any ones she has never got over it of course I didn't mean that I played well well I

only meant of course said he wondering why she bothered to explain music said Lucy

as if attempting some generality she could not complete it and looked out absently upon Italy in the wet the whole

life of the South was disorganized and the most graceful n

e e what is it about it will be a novel replied Mr BBE

dealing with modern Italy let me refer you for an account to Miss Katherine Allen who uses words herself more

admirably than anyone I know I wish Miss lavish would tell me herself we started such friends but I don't think she ought

to have run away with Baker that morning in Santa cochi Charlotte was most annoyed at finding me practically alone

and so I couldn't help being a little annoyed with Miss lavish the two ladies at all events have made it up he was

interested in the sudden friendship between women so apparently dissimilar as Miss Bartlett and Miss lavish they

were always in each other's company with Lucy a slighted third Miss lavish he believed he understood but miss Bartlett

might reveal unknown depths of strangeness though not perhaps of meaning was itally deflecting her from

the path of Prim chaperon which he had assigned to her at Tunbridge Wells all his life he had loved to study Maiden

ladies they were his specialty and his profession had provided him with ample opportunities for the work girls like

Lucy were Charming to look at but Mr B was from rather profound reasons somewhat chilly in his attitude towards

the other sex and preferred to be interested rather than enthralled Lucy for the third time said that poor

Charlotte would be spped the ano was rising in flood washing away the traces of the little carts upon the foreshore

but in the southwest there had appeared a dull Haze of yellow which might mean better whether if it did not mean worse

she opened the window to inspect and a cold blast entered the room drawing a plain of cry from Miss Katherine Allen

who entered at the same moment by the door oh dear Miss honey Church you will catch a chill and Mr BB here besides who

would suppose this is Italy there is my sister actually nursing the hot water can no Comforts or proper

Provisions she sidled towards them and sat down self-conscious as she always was on entering a room which contained

one man or a man and one woman I could hear your beautiful playing Miss honey Church though I was in my room with a

door shut door shut indeed most necessary no one has the least idea of privacy in this country and one person

catches it from another Lucy answered suitably Mr BB was not able to tell the ladies of his Adventure at Medina where

the chambermaid burst in upon him in his bath exclaiming cheerfully e yente sonoa he contented himself with saying I

quite agree with you Miss Allen the Italians are a most unpleasant people they pry everywhere they see everything

and they know what we want before we know it ourselves we are at their Mercy they read our thoughts they forell our

desires from the cab driver down down to to Jato they turn us inside out and I resent it yet in their heart of hearts

they are how superficial they have no conception of the intellectual life how right is Senora bertolini who exclaimed

to me the other day ho Mr BB if you knew what I suffer over the children's education hi won't a my little Victor

taught by a ignorant Italian what can't explain nothing Miss Allen did not follow but gathered that she was being

mocked in an agreeable way her sister was a little disappointed in Mr BBE having expected better things from a

clergyman whose head was bald and who wore a pair of russet whiskers indeed who would have supposed that tolerance

sympathy and a sense of humor would inhabit that militant form in the midst of her satisfaction she continued to

Sidle and at last the cause was disclosed from the chair beneath her she extracted a gunmetal cigarette case on

which were powdered in turquoise the initials E L that belongs to Lavish said the clergyman a good fellow lavish but I

wish she'd start a pipe oh Mr BB said Miss Allen divided between awe and mirth indeed though it is dreadful for her to

smoke it it is not quite as Dreadful as you suppose she took to it practically in despair after her life's work was

carried away in a land slip surely that makes it more excusable what was that asked Lucy Mr BB sat back complacently

and Miss Allen began as follows it was a novel and I am afraid from what I can gather not a very nice novel it is so

sad when people who have abilities misuse them and I must say they nearly always do anyhow she left it almost

finished in The Grotto of the calvary at the capuccini hotel at Amalfi while she went for a little ink she said can I

have a little ink please but you know what Italians are and meanwhile The Grotto fell roaring onto the beach and

the saddest thing of all is that she cannot remember what she has written the poor thing was very ill after it and so

got tempted into cigarettes it is a great secret but I am glad to say that she is writing another novel she told

Teresa and Miss pole the other day that she had got up all the local color this novel is to be about modern Italy the

other was historical but that she could not start till she had an idea first she tried peruja for an inspiration then she

came here this must on no account get round and so cheerful through it all I cannot help thinking that there is

something to admire in everyone even if you do not approve of them Miss Allen was always thus being charitable against

her better judgment a delicate paos perfumed her disconnected remarks giving them unexpected Beauty just as in the

decaying Autumn Woods there sometimes rise odors reminiscent of spring she felt she had made almost too many

allowances and apologized hurridly for her Toleration all the same she is a little too I hardly like to say

unwomanly but she behaved most strangely when the emersons arrived Mr BB smiled as Miss Allen plunged into

an e e e

our dear Queen it was horrible speaking I reminded her how the queen had been to Ireland when she did not want to go and

I must say she was dumbfounded and made no reply but unluckily Mr Emerson overheard this part and called in his

deep voice quite so quite so I honor the woman for her Irish visit the woman I tell things so badly but you see what a

tangle we were in by this time all on account of s having been mentioned in the first place but that was not all

after dinner Miss lavish actually came up and said Miss Allan I am going into the smoking room to talk to those two

nice men come too needless to say I refused such an unsuitable invitation and she had the impertinence to tell me

that it would broaden my ideas and said that she had four brothers all University men except one who was in the

Army who always made a point of talking to commercial Travelers let me finish the story said Mr BBE who had returned

Miss lavish tried Miss pole myself everyone and finally said I shall go alone she went at the end of 5 minutes

she returned turned unobtrusively with a green baz board and began playing patience whatever happened cried Lucy no

one knows no one will ever know Miss lavish will never dare to tell and Mr Emerson does not think it worth telling

Mr BB old Mr Emerson is he nice or not nice I do so want to know Mr BB laughed and suggested that she should settle the

question for herself no but it is so difficult sometimes he is so silly and then I do not mind him Miss Allan what

do you think is he nice the little old lady shook her head and sighed disapprovingly Mr BBE whom the

conversation amused stirred her up by saying I consider that you are bound to class him as nice Miss Allen after after

that business of the violets violets oh dear who told you about the violets how do things get round a pension is a bad

place for gossips no I cannot forget how they behaved at Mr eager's lecture at Santa cochi oh poor Miss honey Church it

really was too bad no I have quite changed I do not like the emersons they are not nice Mr BB smiled

nonchalantly he had made a gentle effort to introduce the Emerson's into bertolini society and the effort had

failed he was almost the only person who remained friendly to them Miss lavish who represented intellect was avowedly

hostile and now the Miss Allens who stood for good breeding were following her Miss Bartlett smarting under an

obligation would scarcely be civil the case of Lucy was different she had given him a hazy

account of her adventures in Santa cochi and he gathered that the two men had made a curious and possibly concerted

attempt to Annex her to show her the world from their own strange standpoint to interest her in their private sorrows

and joys this was impertinent he did not wish their cause to be championed by a young girl he would rather it should

fail after all he knew nothing about them and pension Joys pension Sorrows are flimsy things whereas Lucy would be

his parishioner Lucy with one eye upon the weather finally said that she thought the emersons were nice not that

she saw anything of them now even their seats at dinner had been moved but aren't they always waylaying you to go

out with them dear said the little lady inquisitively only once Charlotte didn't like it and said something quite

politely of course most right of her they don't understand our ways they must find their level Mr BB rather felt that

they had gone under they had given up their attempt if it was one to conquer society and now the father was almost as

silent as the son he wondered whether he would not plan A pleasant day for these folk before they left some Expedition

perhaps with Lucy well chaperoned to be nice to them it was one of Mr BB's Chief Pleasures to provide people with happy

memories evening approached while they chatted the air became brighter the colors on the trees and hills were

purified and the Arno lost its muddy solidity and began to twinkle there were a few

streak e e Mr BB was right Lucy never knew her

desires so clearly as after music she had not really appreciated the clergyman's wit nor the suggestive

twitterings of Miss Allen conversation was tedious she wanted something big and she believed that it would have come to

her on the Wind swept platform of an electric tram this she might not attempt it was

unladylike why why were most big things unladylike Charlotte had once explained to her why it was not that ladies were

inferior to men it was that they were different their mission was to Inspire others to achievement rather than to

achieve themselves indirectly by means of tact and a spotless name a lady could accomplish much but if she rushed into

the fry herself she would be first censured then despised and finally ignored poems had been written to

illustrate this point there is much that is Immortal in this medieval lady the dragons have gone and so have the

knights but still she lingers in our midst she reigned in many an early Victorian castle and was Queen of much

early Victorian song it is sweet to protect her in the intervals of business sweet to pay her honor when she has

Cooked our dinner well but War a radiant crust built around the central fires spinning towards the

receding Heavens men declaring that she inspires them to it move joyfully over the surface having the most delightful

meetings with other men happy not because they are masculine but because they are alive

before the show breaks up she would like to drop the August title of the Eternal woman and go there as her transitory

self Lucy does not stand for the medieval lady who was rather an ideal to which she was bidden to lift her eyes

when feeling serious nor has she any system of Revolt here and there a restriction annoyed her particularly and

she would transgress it and perhaps be sorry that she had done so this afternoon she was peculiarly

restive she would really like to do something of which her well-wishers disapproved as she might not go on the

electric tram she went to Alan Ari's shop there she bought a photograph of belli's birth of