Chapter 2 Chapter 1 The Mistress of the Little Green House

Miss Arundell died on May 1st.Although she had been ill this time for a short time, her death did not cause much alarm in the small town of Markt Basing, where she had lived since she was sixteen.Emily Arundell was in her seventies, the oldest of five members of her family.The people had known for years that she was in poor health, and about eighteen months before she had contracted the same disease as this one which had nearly killed her. Miss Arundell's death was not surprising, but something else was shocking.The clauses in her will aroused all kinds of fluctuations in the people's emotions: surprise, joy, anger, despair, anger, etc., some severely condemned, some spread all kinds of gossip.For weeks, even months, in the little country town of Markt Basing, nothing has been talked about but this!Everyone offered their opinion on the matter, from Mr. Jones, who kept the grocer, to Mrs. Lanfuri, who worked at the post office.Mr. Jones thinks: "Still blood and blood"; Mrs. Lanfrey insists disgustingly: "There is a mystery here, and there must be a reason for it! Mark my words."

What added to the interest of the people's speculations on the subject was that the will was not drawn up until the 21st of April.Then there's the fact that several of Emily's relatives spent Easter with her the day before the will was written.Expect the most slanderous take on wills in the future, enlivening the dreary daily routine in the small town of Markt Basing. There was one person who, it was suspected, knew far more about the matter than she was willing to admit now.That person was Miss Wilhelmina Lawson, Miss Arundell's maid.Miss Lawson herself, however, said that she was as ignorant as anyone else.She publicly told everyone that when she heard the will, she was also dumbfounded.

Of course, many people didn't believe what she said.Miss Lawson knew, or, as she herself said, didn't know, but there was only one person who knew the truth of the matter, and that person was the dead old woman herself.It was Emily Arundell's habit not to tell her motives, not even to her lawyers, about her motives.As long as she expresses her wishes clearly, she will be satisfied. The prominent features of Emily's character can also be found in her taciturnity.In every way, she is typical of her generation.Her character has a good side and a bad side.She's dogmatic, but deep down she's warm; she's sharp-tongued, but she's extremely kind;Many servants who have served her have been ruthlessly abused by her, but when she treats them specifically, she is very magnanimous.She has a high sense of responsibility for family rules.

Miss Emily Arundell was standing in the drawing-room of the Little Green House on the Friday before Easter, ordering Miss Lawson to do this and that. Emily Arundell, who had been a pretty girl in her youth, was now a well-kept, suave old woman, with her back erect and her movements clean.Her slightly yellowish skin was a warning to her: Don't eat greasy things casually. Then Miss Arundell said: "Hey, Minnie, where did you put them?" "Well, I think--I hope I'm doing it right--that the Tanios are in the room with the oak furniture, Theresa is in the room with the blue walls, and Charles is in the playroom where the kids used to be . . . ..."

Miss Arundell interrupted her to say: "Theresa will live in the children's playroom. Charles will live in the house with the blue walls." "Oh yes - I'm sorry - I thought the old game room was inconvenient..." "It would be nice to have Teresa in that house." In Miss Arundell's day women came second.Men are the most important members of the family. "I'm so sorry the lovely children weren't here," murmured Miss Lawson affectionately.She loves children, but she has no ability to manage them. "Four guests are a lot," said Miss Arundell. "Bella has spoiled the children, anyway. They never want to do what they're told to do."

Miss Minnie Lawson muttered again: "Mrs. Tanios is such a loving mother." Miss Arundell agreed, saying solemnly: "Bella is a good woman." Miss Lawson said with a sigh: "She must have found it hard sometimes--living in a back country like Smyrna." Emily Arundell replied: "She is cocooning herself." After finishing this famous Victorian quote, she went on to say: "I'm going into town now, negotiating with them about the weekend order." "Oh, Miss Arundell, let me go. I mean--" "Bullshit. I'll go it myself. Need something strong for the man Rogers. The trouble with you, Minnie, is that you don't speak forcefully enough. Bob! Where's the dog?"

Suddenly a fine-haired puppy ran down the stairs.It circles around its mistress, giving short barks of joy and anticipation from time to time. The mistress and the dog walked out of the front door of the living room together and walked towards the gate through the path. Miss Lawson stood in the doorway, her mouth partly parted, giggling behind them.Then a sharp voice came from behind her: "Miss, the pillowcases you gave me were not a pair." "What? I'm so stupid..." Miss Minnie Lawson resumed her daily chores. Miss Emily Arundell, followed by Bob the dog, walked with dignity in Mark Basing Street.

Along the way, she is really magnificent.No matter which store she entered, the owner of the store must come to receive her as soon as possible. She is Miss Arundell of the Little Green House!She is "one of the oldest customers" in the local area.She is from a scholarly family, and there are not many people like her nowadays. "Good morning, ma'am. It's an honor to serve you--is the saddle soft? Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I think the little saddle is all right--really, really, Miss Arundell. But if you say it's not good, it's not very good--but I won't let you ride the fierce Canterbury horse, Miss Arundell--I'll try to get you one. A fine horse to ride, Miss Arundell."

The puppy Bob met Spot, the butcher's dog. The two dogs chased each other, and I chased you, slowly circling in circles. The hair on their necks stood up, and they barked softly from time to time.Spot was a very strong mongrel dog.He knew not to fight the customers' dogs, but he cunningly showed them that if he were given his freedom, he would surely bite them to pieces. The puppy Bob is full of energy and does not show weakness. Emily Arundell said sternly "Bob!" and stepped forward. In the fruit shop, two extraordinary people met. Here, too, was an old woman, round in build, but also quite pompous, who said:

"Good morning, Emily." "Good morning, Caroline." Caroline Peabody says: "All your nieces and nieces are back?" "Yes, they're all here. Theresa, Charles and Bella." "Bella's coming too, isn't she? Is her husband coming too?" "coming." The answer was simple, but both old women knew what it meant. Because Bella Biggs, Emily Arundell's niece, married a Greek.And the people in Emily Arundell's family are considered to be "people of etiquette" and cannot marry Greeks casually. To appease Miss Arundell secretly (but, of course, this must not be stated publicly), Miss Peabody said:

"Bella's husband is very clever. What a delightful manner he has!" "His manners are agreeable," agreed Miss Arundell. After the two old women had come out of the shop and into the street, Miss Peabody asked: "I hear Theresa is engaged to young Donaldson. What's the matter?" Miss Arundell shrugged and said: "Young people are so free these days. I think they'll procrastinate rather long--that is, if they do get married at last. The young man has no money." "Of course, but Theresa has her own money," said Miss Peabody. Miss Arundell said haughtily: "Men don't want to live off a woman's money." Miss Peabody let out a low laugh, and said: "Now, they don't care who they live by. You and I are old-fashioned, Emily. The thing I can't understand is what this kid thinks of him. These frivolous young people!" "He's a smart doctor, I think so." "Wears a pince-nez—very rigid! When I was young, we called these kinds of doctors woodbumps." There was a moment's silence between them, while Miss Peabody recalled the past and pictured those brash, sideburned young men... She sighed and said: "Let that young dog Charles come and see me--if he'll come." "Of course, I'll tell him." The two old women parted ways. They have known each other for over fifty years.Miss Peabody knows a few regrettable things about the life of Emily's father, General Arundell.She knew full well how much Thomas Arundell's marriage had surprised his sisters.Miss Peabody was shrewd, and she knew some of the troubles this young generation was up to. But the two old women were silent about all these matters.Both of them are defenders of family dignity and family unity, and they try to avoid talking about family matters as much as possible. Miss Arundell strolled home, and the dog Bob silently followed behind the old lady.One thing Miss Emily Arundell never confessed to anyone was displeasure with the younger generation of her family. Take Teresa, for example: Ever since Teresa was twenty-one earning her own money, she couldn't control her.Since then, the girl has gained notoriety.Her picture is often published in newspapers.She was among a group of young, fashionable, hustlers in London--those who threw decadent parties and were sometimes sent to the police for it.For an Arundell, Miss Emily Arundell did not approve of such disrepute.As for the girl's engagement, she was a little puzzled.On the one hand, she thought that the pompous Dr. Donaldson was not good enough for the Arundels; on the other hand, she realized that Theresa was too unfit for the wife of the quiet country doctor. She sighed and turned her thoughts back to Bella.Can't fault Bella at all.She was a good woman--a good wife and mother, with exemplary manners--just too rigid!But even Bella didn't quite satisfy her, for she was married to a foreigner—and a Greek at that.In Arundel's deeply prejudiced mind, Greeks were as bad as Argentines or Turks.Dr. Tanios' charming demeanor, which was said to be exceptionally competent, added to the old woman's prejudice against him.She distrusted least of all people with charming manners and cheap flattery.It was also for this reason that she found it difficult to make herself like their two children.The children looked very much like their father--there was nothing English about them. Then there's Charles... yes charles... It is no use closing your eyes to the facts.Charles is lovable, but also an unreliable guy... Emily Arundell sighed again.She suddenly felt tired, old, depressed... She guessed that she would not live long... She thought back to the will she had written a few years ago. After death the relics are given to the servants - to charity - but most of the property is divided equally between the three living relatives... In her opinion, she had done the right thing and done it fairly.But there was one thing that troubled her, was there any way to ensure that Bella's inheritance would not be degraded by her husband... She would have to ask Purvis about that. She walked through the door of the little green house. Charles and Theresa came by car - the Tanios came by train. The siblings arrive first.Charles, a tall, handsome man, said jokingly with his bridle: "Hi, Aunt Emily, how are you? You look very well." Then, he kissed her. Theresa the young man pressed her impassive cheek to the withered cheek of her aunt. "How do you do, Aunt Emily?" My aunt thought Teresa looked bad.Through the once thick makeup powder, her face showed a haggard look, and there were wrinkles around her eyes. They all have tea in the living room.Bella Tanios, with locks of hair protruding unkemptly from under a fashionable hat, which was ill-placed, stared straight at her cousin Teresa, and looked at her with pathetic eagerness. The style of clothes is in mind and I want to imitate it later.Poor Bella, such is the fate of her life: emotionally she loves to dress, but has no sense of beauty in clothes.Teresa's clothes were very expensive, she was a bit of a fancy dresser, and she had a really nice figure. When Bella arrived in England from Smyrna, she couldn't wait to imitate Theresa's beautiful clothes, but at a small cost and without a high-end tailor. Dr. Tanios, bearded and jovial, was chatting with Miss Arundell.His voice was passionate and full-toned--his tone was so touching that listeners of both sexes couldn't help liking him.Even Miss Arundell could not help being intoxicated. Miss Lawson was very restless, getting up and sitting down again, passing trays, and bustling about the tea-table; Charles was so graceful that he rose more than once to help her, but she gave no thanks. When tea was over, and as they walked out into the garden, Charles said softly to his sister: "Lawson doesn't like me. Does he? How strange!" Teresa sneered: "It's so weird. There is actually one person who can withstand your charming charm." Charles grinned—a charming grin—and said: "Fortunately there is only Lawson..." In the garden, Miss Lawson walks with Mrs. Tanios, and she asks Mrs. Tanios about the children.Bella Tanios' sallow face suddenly glowed.She forgot to observe Theresa.She talked eagerly and animatedly.Her Mary said a bizarre thing on board, and so on... She found Miss Minnie Lawson a most sympathetic new audience. After a while a young man with fair hair came out of the house and into the garden.He had a dignified face and a pince-nez that gave him a prim look.Miss Arundell greeted him politely. Theresa said, "Hey, Rex!" She took his arm, and they strolled on. Charles made a face.The conversation also sneaked away, to chat with the gardener who had been his partner for a long time. Charles was playing with puppy Bob when Miss Arundell re-entered the house.Xiao Enough stood at the top of the stairs with a ball in his mouth and his tail wagging slightly. "Come on, old man," said Charles. Bob crouched down, put his nose on the ball, and slowly approached the edge of the stairs.When she finally pushed the ball down, it jumped up happily.The ball rolled slowly down the stairs.Charles grabs the ball and throws it up to the puppy.Bob deftly caught the ball with his mouth and repeated the performance just now. "It's his regular game," Charles said. Emily Arundell laughed. "It can play for hours at a stretch," she said. She went into the living room and Charles followed him.Bob let out a cry of disappointment. Charles looked out of the window and said: "Look at Theresa and that young man. What a strange couple they are!" "Do you think Theresa is really serious about this?" "Oh, she loves him madly!" Charles assured. "It's a strange thing, but it is. I think he must have seen her as a scientific specimen rather than a living woman. Lisa is quite a novelty. Later, this young man is so poor. And Theresa has such a big appetite for spending money." Miss Arundell said dryly: "I'm sure she can change her lifestyle - if she wants to! But she has her own income." "Huh? Oh, yes, of course." Charles stole a glance at her. That night, when the others were gathered in the living room waiting to go to dinner, there were hurried steps on the stairs and a curse was heard.Then, Charles walked in blushing. "Sorry, Aunt Emily, am I late? That dog of yours almost gave me a terrible fall. He left the ball on the stairs." "Careless puppy," cried Lawson, bending over Bob. Bob looked at her haughtily, then turned his head away. "I know," said Miss Arundell, "it's too dangerous. Minnie, go find the ball and put it away." Miss Lawson hurried out. Dr. Tanios took up most of the time when eating and talking at the dinner table.He told interesting stories about life in Smyrna. Before long, everyone went to bed.Miss Lawson, carrying wool, spectacles, a large velvet bag, and a book, accompanied her master to the bedroom, while they talked cheerfully. "Dr. Tanios is so funny. He's such a good company! Not that I'd like that kind of life myself...People have to boil water...boil goat's milk for it, I'm afraid—such a nasty thing Too used to..." Miss Arundell snapped: "Don't be silly, Minnie. Tell Ellen to wake me up at six-thirty tomorrow morning?" "Oh, I did, Miss Arundell. I told her not to bring tea in the morning. But don't you think it would be better to have something in the morning--you know, the Vicar of Southbridge--he's a most honest Man—he told me plainly that there is no rule about fasting in the morning..." Miss Arundell interrupted her again. "I've never eaten before morning worship, and I don't intend to now. You can do whatever you want." "Oh, no—I don't mean—I'm sure—" Miss Lawson panicked, she was distraught. "Take off Bob's scarf," said Miss Arundell. The servant hurried to do it. She wanted to please her master again, and said: "What a lovely evening! They all looked happy to be here." "Well," said Emily Arundell, "it's all because I got something for myself." "Oh, dear Miss Arundell..." "My dear Minnie, I'm not a fool anyhow! I just don't know which of them will speak up first." It didn't take long for her doubts about this to be answered.She and Minnie came back from church just after nine o'clock.The Tanios were eating in the dining room, but the Arundells were nowhere to be seen.After breakfast, when the others left, Miss Arundell sat making some entries in a little book. About ten o'clock Charles came in. "Sorry I'm late, Aunt Emily. But Teresa is worse. She hasn't opened her eyes yet." "Breakfast will be cleared away at ten o'clock," said Miss Arundell. "I know it's a time of business and neglect of servants, but it's not the case in my house." "Okay, that's the real family tradition!" Charles sat next to her, eating sautéed liver and kidney. His grin was, as usual, charming.Emily Arundell could not help smiling at him after a while.This act of pampering gave Charles courage, and he hastened to say: "You see, Aunt Emily, I'm going to give you trouble again. I'm in a difficult situation and I can't make ends meet. Can you help me? A hundred pounds will do." His aunt didn't give him a good face.Her expression was clearly grim. Emily Arundell isn't afraid to speak her mind.She shared her opinion. Miss Lawson hurried across the hall and nearly bumped into Charles as he was leaving the dining room.She looked at him in surprise.She went into the dining-room and saw Miss Arundell sitting upright, flushed.