Chapter 39 Chapter Eleven

The war is still dragging on. I heard that Nicholas has complained about it. It will cost you 300 million to ask them to do something that can be done with money!Income tax is seriously threatened.However, it is still a pleasure to have a South Africa after spending money.And although people wake up in the middle of the night and feel very possessive, and when it's time to eat breakfast, they think that there is nothing in this world that doesn't cost money.So people went about their business as if there had been no war at all, no concentration camps, no de Witt, no public opinion on the Continent, nothing unpleasant.Indeed, the attitude of the Chinese people is like Timothy's map, which represents a kind of tired interest-Timothy has stopped moving those small flags, and they can't move by themselves, and they don't even care about their due advances and retreats. not coming out.

The lethargic interest did not stop there; it invaded the Forsyte Exchange, creating a general air of uncertainty as to what was going on below. The news of the marriage of "Jolyon Forsyte and Professor Heron's only daughter Irene" published in the marriage column of "The Times" aroused some doubts.On the whole, however, it was a relief that the papers did not refer to Irene as the "ex-wife" or "divorced wife" of "Soames Forsyte."All in all, the family took a sublime attitude to the "incident" from the outset.As James said, "That's the way it is!" No use in fussing!Acknowledging that the incident was "disgusting"—a buzzword of the day—does you no good.

But now that Soames and Jolyon were married, what was there to see?This is indeed a confusing thing.It is said that George and Osdice bet six against four that young Jolyon must be born before young Soames.George is so funny!It is said that he even made a bet with Dartie on whether James would live to be ninety years old, but no one could say which one would support James. In early May, Winifred came to say that Farr had been discharged from the Army after being wounded in the leg by a stray bullet.His wife is looking after him.Walk with a little limp - no big deal.He asked his grandfather to buy him a farm in South Africa where he could raise horses.Holly's father gave his daughter eight hundred pounds a year, and the two of them could live comfortably, because Val's grandfather gave him five hundred pounds a year; Willing Farr to waste his money.

"But you know," said Winifred, "Val has got to have something to do." Aunt Hester thought that Farr's dear grandfather might be wise, because he would not lose money if he didn't buy the farm. "But Val just likes horses," said Winifred. "This career is too suitable for him." Aunt Qiu Li thinks that raising horses is the most uncertain, "Didn't Mundagu be fooled before?" "Val is different," said Winifred; "he's like me." Aunt Jolie was sure that dear Val must be very clever. "I always remember," she said, "how he gave the bad beggar to the beggar. His grandfather was very happy. He thought the boy had a lot of brains. I remember him saying the boy should go to the navy."

Aunt Hester intervened: "Does Winifred think it is better for young people to be more secure than to take risks at such an age?" "Yeah," said Winifred, "if they were in London they might be fine; it'd be fun not to do anything in London. But in South Africa it'd suffocate him." Aunt Hester thought it best to do something, if he could be sure that he would not lose money.Anyway, they are not without money.Of course Timothy had done well after retirement, Aunt Julie asked what Montagu had said. Winifred didn't tell her because Montagu had said only one thing: "When the old man is dead."

At this moment the servant came to announce Francie's arrival.There was a smile in Francie's eyes. "I said," she asked immediately, "what do you think?" "Look at what, honey?" "The Times this morning." "We haven't read the paper yet. We don't read until after dinner. Timothy keeps it until then." Francie rolled her eyes. "Do you think we should tell us?" said Aunt Julie. "whats the matter?" "Elin gave birth to a son at Robin Hill." Aunt Julie took a breath. "But," she said, "they were married in March!"

"By the way, Aunt; interesting, isn't it?" "I'm very happy," Winifred said. "I'm sorry for Jolyon's dead son. What about me if it's Farr; it's not out of the question." Aunt Juli seemed to be sinking into a kind of dream. "I don't know," she murmured, "how my dear Soames would feel! He's desperately looking forward to having a son, I've heard it said all the time." "Ah!" said Winifred, "he's going to have it—unless something happens." Aunt Juli's eyes glistened with joy.

"Big event!" she said. "What month?" "November." November is auspicious!But she wished it could have been earlier, it would take too long for James, at such an age! wait!They were worried that James would have to wait, but they were used to waiting.Indeed, it was their greatest pastime.wait!Waiting for The Times; waiting for this niece or that nephew to amuse them; waiting for Nicholas' health; waiting for Christopher to decide to act; The doctor came to see Aunt Hester's morning sickness; to wait for the books in the library which were often sent out; to wait for Timothy's cold; Go to the park for a turn.wait!The two sisters sat apart on either side of the living room fireplace, waiting for the middle clock to strike the hour, their weary, veiny and gnarled hands fiddling with needles and hooks of wool, their hair—like the wind and waves of Knut Same—never allowed to change color again.and waited in their black silk or black satin gowns, until the court ordered Hester to wear her dark green, and Julie her darker bay.wait!While waiting, they slowly turn over and over the little joys, little sorrows, little things, and little hopes in her small family world in their old minds, just like a cow in a familiar field. Patience is like eating weeds.And this new thing is indeed worth the wait.Soames had always been their favourite; he was always fond of giving them pictures, and it was wonderful to see them almost every week in the past, and indeed the misfortune of his first marriage required their pity.This new event--the birth of an heir to Soames--was of too great importance to him, and to his dear father, to fear that he would not die so easily until some truth came out.James hated uncertainty; and with Montagu being like that, it certainly wouldn't be enough to tell him to have no grandchildren but those little Darties.After all, your surname is indeed important!So as James' ninetieth birthday approached, the sisters worried about how he was taking care of himself.He was the first of the Forsytes to live to such an advanced age, and seemed to set a new example for those who cling to life.They both thought it was too important a matter, because one was eighty-seven and the other eighty-five; but they didn't want to think about it for themselves, because Timothy wasn't yet eighty-two, and they had to think about it for him.Of course, there is a better world.Aunt Jolie's favorite saying was: "There were many lodgings in my father's house,"--a phrase which always comforted her, for it brought to mind the estate, on which dear Roger made his fortune. Woolen cloth. The Bible is a treasure trove; and when the weather is fine on Sunday, there is always service in the morning; and sometimes, when Aunt Lily is sure that Timothy is not at home, she will sneak into his study and read it in his little book. Among the books on the table was an open "New Testament"—of course he liked reading books very much, and he had a publishing business in the past.But afterwards she saw that Timothy was always angry at dinner.And, Smither told her more than once, she picked up books on the floor while cleaning the study.Even so, she still felt that heaven might not be as comfortable as the rooms they and Timothy were waiting for, and for a long time.Aunt Hester was more than overwhelmed by the thought of the trouble.Any change, or rather the thought of any change--because there had never been-- always troubled her very much.Aunt Jolie was in a better mood, and sometimes thought it must be a lot of fun, and she had a good time on the trip to Bridon that year when dear Susan died.But Bridon was well known to everyone, but it was hard to say what heaven was like, so on the whole, she was not so peacefully waiting.

On the morning of August 5th, James's birthday, they felt so excited that they sat up in bed and had breakfast, and Smither passed little notes between them.Smither must go and take their congratulations and some showers, and find out how Mr. James is, and if he was too happy to sleep the night before.Will Smithell take a look on Green Street when you get back--it's a little detour, but you can catch a stagecoach at Stock Street when you come out; Mrs. Darty said it was very important to come and see them before leaving London. Smither did all of this—as expected of Aunt Ann who trained her herself thirty years ago, where can I find such a perfect servant now.Mr. James, so Mrs. James said, had a good night's sleep, and called me back to pay my respects;correct!And Mrs. Dardie also said hello, and she hit her feet.

Come for tea in the afternoon. Aunts Jolie and Aunt Hester, on the one hand, were rather displeased to hear that their presents were not mentioned in particular--forgetting that every year James couldn't afford presents, they always said, "Spend money on him, ’—and happy on the one hand; it showed that James was in good spirits, and it mattered so much to him.The two began to wait for Winifred.At four o'clock Winifred came, with Imogen, and Maudy, fresh from school, and "grown into such a pretty girl too," but to inquire about Annette. news is very difficult.Still plucking up her courage, Aunt Jurie asked Winifred what she had heard, and whether Soames was worried.

"Uncle Soames is always worried," interrupted Imogen; "he's not happy when he gets it." These words sounded very familiar to Aunt Julie.what!By the way; George's funny picture, won't show them!But what did Imogen say?Does it mean that my uncle will always be greedy?It is completely inappropriate to see it this way. Imogen's voice was clear and cut. "Come to think of it! Annette is only two years older than I am; it must be a bad marriage to Uncle Soames." Aunt Qiu Li raised her hands in astonishment. "My dear," she said, "you don't know what you're talking about. Who is your Uncle Soames not good enough for? He's very clever, and handsome, and rich, and very considerate, and very discreet, and of every sort." It’s not that old at all.” Imogen's bright eyes looked first at this and then at that—the two "old darlings,"—and only smiled. "I hope," said Aunt Jolie, rather severely, "that you can marry such a fine man." "I don't want to marry a nice man, Grandaunt," said Imogen; "no nice man is interesting." "If you go on like this," replied Aunt Julie, still very unhappy, "you'll never get married. Let's not talk about that;" she turned to Winifred. "How is Montague?" That evening, while the sisters were waiting for supper, Aunt Jolie grumbled: "Hester, I told Smither to have half a bottle of sweet champagne ready. I think we should do it for James' health--and Somi A toast to the health of his wife; but keep it a secret. All I say is, 'Do you understand, Hester?' And then we drink. I'm afraid Timothy won't feel well." "It may well make us ill," said Aunt Hester. "But it should be celebrated, I think; it's rare." "Yes," said Aunt Julie Tao Ran, "it's really rare to meet! But you think, if he has a boy, he can carry on the family! Now that Irene has children, I think this is very important. Winnie Fried says that George nicknamed Jolyon, 'The Tridie,' because he had three children, you know! George is so funny, and, you think, Irene still lived in Soames after she got it. To the house they had made. It was indeed a great embarrassment to Soames; and he has always kept his place." Aunt Jolie lay in bed that night, still excited and slightly tipsy from the supper glass and the secrecy of the second toast; The yellow ceiling illuminated by lamps.little things!Great for them all!She was only too happy to see dear Soames happy.But of course he was happy now, and what Imogen said about him was not quite right.He has everything he wants!Property, wife, children!And he would live to a healthy old age, just like his dear father, completely forgetting Irene and this painful divorce case.If she was still alive, she would be the first to buy a wooden horse for his child!Smither will pick her out of the shop, pretty and variegated!Roger just liked to rock her, until she fell asleep!Yeah, that was a long time ago.indeed! "There are many dwellings in my father's house—" A slight rustle came to her ears—"not rats!" she thought mechanically.The voice grew louder.listen!What a mouse!Smither was naughty for insisting there were no mice!If you go on like this, you'll chew through the baseboards, and you'll have to call in a bricklayer.Rats are the most destructive things!So she lay there, eyes rolling slightly, mindful of the slight rustle, waiting for sleep to pick her up.