Old People and the Things That Pass (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1918. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I Steyn's deep bass voice was heard in the passage: "Come, Jack, come along, dog Are you coming with your master?" The terrier gave a loud, glad bark and came rushing madly down the stairs, till he seemed to be tumbling over his own paws. "Oh, that voice of Steyn's " Ottilie hissed between her teeth angrily and turned a number of pages of her novel. Charles Pauws glanced at her quietly, with his little smile, his laugh at Mamma's ways. He was sitting with his mother after dinner, sipping his cup of coffee before going on to Elly. Steyn went out with Jack; the evening silence settled upon the little house and the gas hummed in the impersonal and unhomely sitting-room. Charles Pauws looked down at the tips of his boots and admired their fit. "Where has Steyn gone?" asked Mamma; and her voice grumbled uneasily. "Gone for a walk with Jack," said Charles Pauws. He was called Lot1 at home; his voice sounded soft and soothing. 1 Pronounced "Lo," as in the French " Chariot." "He's gone to his woman " snarled Ottilie. Lot made a gesture of weariness: "Come, Mamma," he said, "be calm now and don't think about that scene. I'm going on to Elly presently; meantime I want to sit cosily with you for a bit. Steyn's your husband, after all. You mustn't always be bickering with him and saying and thinking such things. You were just like a little fury again. It brings wrinkles, you know, losing your temper like that." "I am an old woman." "But you've still got a very soft little skin." Ottilie smiled; and Lot stood up: "There," he said, "give me a kiss. . . . Won't you? Must I give you one? You angry little Mummy . . . And what was it about? About nothing. At least, I can't remember what it was all about. I should never be able to analyse it. And that's always t...