Chapter 7 Section 6

May 5th "Mrs. Shi Chunji is here, madam." Audrey Schunji went into the big bedroom, walked over to the big bed, leaned over and kissed the old lady, and then sat down on the chair prepared for her. "It's good to see you, my dear," said Mrs. Tricilian. "Me too," Audrey said. There was something elusive about Audrey Schunge.She was of medium height with very petite hands and feet.Her hair was pale blond, and her face was very pale.Her eyes were large, a clear light gray, and she was small and well-proportioned, with a pale oval face with a straight nose.With such an appearance, a face that is not beautiful but is lovable, she does have a temperament that cannot be ignored and attracts her attention again and again.She's kind of ghostly, but at the same time you get the sense that ghosts might be more real than real people...

She has an unusually lovely voice, as soft and crisp as a small silver bell. She and the old lady talked for a while about friends and family affairs they both knew.Then Mrs Tricilian said: "Besides wanting to see you to please me, my dear, I wanted you to come because I had a rather strange letter from Neville." Audrey looked up at her.Her eyes were wide open, calm and serene, and she said: "Oh, what do you say?" "He proposed—a preposterous proposal—that he and—and Kay were coming here in September. He said he wanted you to be friends with Kay, and that you thought it was a good idea yourself. "

She waited quietly after she finished speaking.Later Audrey said in her soft and crisp voice: "Is this—really that abnormal?" "My dear—do you really want to do this?" Audrey was silent again, then said softly: "I thought, you know, that might be a good thing." "You really want to see that—you want to see Kay?" "I really think it might—simplify things, Carmela." "Keep things simple!" Mrs. Trixilian repeated her words with a helpless look. Audrey said very softly: "My dear Carmela, you have always been very good, and if Neville wants to—"

"What is Neville, I don't care whether he wants it or not!" said Mrs Tricilian with all her might. "Would you like it, that's the problem!" There was a little blood on Audrey's cheeks, a subtle and gentle flush like a seashell. "Yes," she said, "I really do." "This—" said Mrs. Tricilian, "—this—" She stopped. "But of course," said Audrey, "it's all up to you. It's your house, and—" Mrs. Tricilian closed her eyes. "I'm old and out of step with the times," she said. "I can't figure anything out."

"But - of course I can come back at another date - any time that suits me." "You will still come in September as usual," Mrs. Trixilian said hastily, "Neville and Kay will also come. I may be old, but I can still adapt to this changing modern life as well as anyone. Don't say any more , so it is decided." She closed her eyes again.After a minute or two she glanced at the young woman sitting by her bed with half-closed eyes and said: "Okay, is it as you wish?" Audrey was taken aback. "Oh, yes, yes, thank you." "My dear," said Mrs. Tricilian, in a low voice of concern, "you are sure it will not hurt you. You are very fond of Neville, and you know that, and it may relapse into old wounds."

Audrey looked down at her small gloved hands.Mrs. Tricilian noticed that she was gripping the edge of the bed with one hand. Audrey looked up.Her eyes were calm and untroubled. she says: "Now everything can be said to be in the past, it can be said to be in the past." Mrs. Tricilian leaned back on the pillow again. "That--you should know that yourself. I'm tired and you must go, dear. Mary's waiting for you downstairs. Tell them to bring Barrett up to me." Barrett was a loyal old maid of Lady Tricilian. She entered to find her mistress lying with her eyes closed.

"The sooner I leave this world, the better, Barrett," said Mrs. Trixilian, "I don't know anything about this world." "Ah! Don't talk like that, madam, you are tired." "I'm tired. Take the eider off my feet, and bring me my tonic." "It was Mrs. Shi Chunji who disturbed you. She is a good lady, but I think she needs to improve her health. She is not in good health, but she has a good temperament, which makes people feel 'I feel sorry for you', so to speak." "True, Barrett," said Mrs. Tricilian, "very true."

"And she's not the forgettable type. I often wonder if Neville still misses her sometimes. The new Mrs. Schunk is very beautiful - really very beautiful - but Audrey is one of those You'll miss her sometimes." Mrs. Trixilian suddenly chuckled softly and said: "Nevill was a fool trying to bring those two women together. He'll regret it!"