II
They came into the room and paused at the doorway.
Simeon was speaking into the telephone. He waved a hand to them.
Sit down, all of you. I shan’t be a minute.
He went on speaking into the telephone.
Is that Charlton, Hodgkins & Bruce? Is that you, Charlton? Simeon Lee speaking. Yes, isn’t
it? . . . Yes . . . No, I wanted you to make a new will for me . . . Yes, it’s some time since I made
the other . . . Circumstances have altered . . . Oh no, no hurry. Don’t want you to spoil your
Christmas. Say Boxing Day or the day after. Come along, and I’ll tell you what I want done. No
that’s quite all right. I shan’t be dying just yet.
He replaced the receiver, then looked round at the eight members of his family. He cackled
and said
You’re all looking very glum. What is the matter
Alfred said: “You sent for us. . . .
Simeon said quickly: “Oh, sorry—nothing portentous about it. Did you think it was a family
council? No, I’m just rather tired today, that’s all. None of you need come up after dinner. I shall
go to bed. I want to be fresh for Christmas Day.
He grinned at them. George said earnestly
Of course . . . of course. . . .
Simeon said: “Grand old institution, Christmas. Promotes solidarity of family feeling. What
do you think, Magdalene, my dear
Magdalene Lee jumped. Her rather silly little mouth flew open and then shut itself. She said
Oh—oh, yes
Simeon said: “Let me see, you lived with a retired naval officer”—he paused—“your father.
Don’t suppose you made much of Christmas. It needs a big family for that
Well—well—yes, perhaps it does.
Simeon’s eyes slid past her.
Don’t want to talk of anything unpleasant at this time of year, but you know, George, I’m
afraid I’ll have to cut down your allowance a bit. My establishment here is going to cost me a bit
more to run in future.
George got very red.
But look here, Father, you can’t do that
Simeon said softly: “Oh, can’t I
My expenses are very heavy already. Very heavy. As it is, I don’t know how I make both
ends meet. It needs the most rigorous economy.
Let your wife do a bit more of it,” said Simeon. “Women are good at that sort of thing. They
often think of economies where a man would never have dreamt of them. And a clever woman can
make her own clothes. My wife, I remember, was clever with her needle. About all she was clever
with—a good woman, but deadly dull
David sprang up. His father said
Sit down, boy, you’ll knock something over
David said: “My mother
Simeon said: “Your mother had the brains of a louse! And it seems to me she’s transmitted
those brains to her children.” He raised himself up suddenly. A red spot appeared on each cheek.
His voice came high and shrill. “You’re not worth a penny piece, any of you! I’m sick of you all
You’re not men! You’re weaklings—a set of namby-pamby weaklings. Pilar’s worth any two of
you put together! I’ll swear to heaven I’ve got a better son somewhere in the world than any of
you, even if you are born the right side of the blanket
Here, Father, hold hard,” cried Harry.
He had jumped up and stood there, a frown on his usually good-humoured face. Simeon
snapped
The same goes for you! What have you ever done? Whined to me for money from all over
the world! I tell you I’m sick of the sight of you all! Get out
He leaned back in his chair, panting a little.
Slowly, one by one, his family went out. George was red and indignant. Magdalene looked
frightened. David was pale and quivering. Harry blustered out of the room. Alfred went like a man
in a dream. Lydia followed him with her head held high. Only Hilda paused in the doorway and
came slowly back.
She stood over him, and he started when he opened his eyes and found her standing there.
There was something menacing in the solid way she stood there quite immovably.
He said irritably: “What is it
Hilda said: “When your letter came I believed what you said—that you wanted your family
round you for Christmas, I persuaded David to come.
Simeon said: “Well, what of it
Hilda said slowly: “You did want your family round you—but not for the purpose you said
You wanted them there, didn’t you, in order to set them all by the ears? God help you, it’s your
idea of fun
Simeon chuckled. He said: “I always had rather a specialized sense of humour. I don’t expect
anyone else to appreciate the joke. I’m enjoying it
She said nothing. A vague feeling of apprehension came over Simeon Lee. He said sharply
What are you thinking about
Hilda Lee said slowly: “I’m afraid. . . .
Simeon said: “You’re afraid—of me
Hilda said: “Not of you. I’m afraid—for you
Like a judge who has delivered sentence, she turned away. She marched, slowly and heavily
out of the room. . . .
Simeon sat staring at the door.
Then he got to his feet and made his way over to the safe. He murmured: “Let’s have a look
at my beauties.
