Page 310 - women-in-love

‘Yes. What is your opinion of it?’
‘I DO think it’s a good school.’
Gudrun was very cold and repelling. She knew the com-
mon people hated the school.
‘Ay, you do, then! I’ve heard so much, one way and the
other. It’s nice to know what those that’s in it feel. But opin-
ions vary, don’t they? Mr Crich up at Highclose is all for it.
Ay, poor man, I’m afraid he’s not long for this world. He’s
very poorly.’
‘Is he worse?’ asked Ursula.
‘Eh, yes—since they lost Miss Diana. He’s gone off to a
shadow. Poor man, he’s had a world of trouble.’
‘Has he?’ asked Gudrun, faintly ironic.
‘He has, a world of trouble. And as nice and kind a gen-
tleman as ever you could wish to meet. His children don’t
take after him.’
‘I suppose they take after their mother?’ said Ursula.
‘In many ways.’ Mrs Krik lowered her voice a little. ‘She
was a proud haughty lady when she came into these parts—
my word, she was that! She mustn’t be looked at, and it was
worth your life to speak to her.’ The woman made a dry, sly
face.
‘Did you know her when she was first married?’
‘Yes, I knew her. I nursed three of her children. And
proper little terrors they were, little fiends—that Gerald was
a demon if ever there was one, a proper demon, ay, at six
months old.’ A curious malicious, sly tone came into the
woman’s voice.
‘Really,’ said Gudrun.

310 Women in Love