He's getting very old.
They're sure to ask all about you both.'
'Give them my love,' said Maxim.
We got up.
Giles shook the dust off his hat. Maxim yawned and stretched.
The sun went in.
I looked up at the sky.
It had changed already, a mackerel sky.
Little clouds scurrying in formation, line upon line.
'Wind's backing,' said Maxim.
'I hope we don't run into rain,' said Giles.
'I'm afraid we've had the best of the day,' said Beatrice.
We wandered slowly towards the drive and the waiting car.
'You haven't seen what's been done to the east wing,' said Maxim.
'Come upstairs,' I suggested; 'it won't take a minute.'
We went into the hall, and up the big staircase, the men following behind.
It seemed strange that Beatrice had lived here for so many years.
She had run down these same stairs as a little girl, with her nurse.
She had been born here, bred here; she knew it all, she belonged here more than I should ever do.
She must have many memories locked inside her heart.
I wondered if she ever thought about the days that were gone, ever remembered the lanky pig-tailed child that she had been once, so different from the woman she had become, forty-five now, vigorous and settled in her ways, another person…
We came to the rooms, and Giles, stooping under the low doorway, said,
'How very jolly; this is a great improvement, isn't it, Bee?' and
'I say, old boy, you have spread yourself,' said Beatrice: 'new curtains, new beds, new everything.
You remember, Giles, we had this room that time you were laid up with your leg?
It was very dingy then.
Of course Mother never had much idea of comfort.
And then, you never put people here, did you, Maxim?
Except when there was an overflow.
The bachelors were always dumped here.
Well, it's charming, I must say.
Looks over the rose-garden too, which was always an advantage.
May I powder my nose?'
The men went downstairs, and Beatrice peered in the mirror.
'Did old Danvers do all this for you?' she said.
'Yes,' I said.
'I think she's done it very well.'
'So she should, with her training,' said Beatrice.
'I wonder what on earth it cost.
A pretty packet, I bet.
Did you ask?'
'No, I'm afraid I did not,' I said.
'I don't suppose it worried Mrs Danvers,' said Beatrice.
'Do you mind if I use your comb?
These are nice brushes.
Wedding present?'
'Maxim gave them to me.'
'H'm. I like them.
We must give you something of course.
What do you want?'