Chapter 9

           Yes,Mr.Bankessaid,watchinghimgo.Itwasathousandpities.(Lilyhadsaidsomethingabouthisfrighteningher—hechangedfromonemoodtoanothersosuddenly.)Yes,saidMr.Bankes,itwasathousandpitiesthatRamsaycouldnotbehavealittlemorelikeotherpeople.(ForhelikedLilyBriscoe;hecoulddiscussRamsaywithherquiteopenly.)Itwasforthatreason,hesaid,thattheyoungdon’treadCarlyle.Acrustyoldgrumblerwholosthistemperiftheporridgewascold,whyshouldhepreachtous?waswhatMr.Bankesunderstoodthatyoungpeoplesaidnowadays.Itwasathousandpitiesifyouthought,ashedid,thatCarlylewasoneofthegreatteachersofmankind.LilywasashamedtosaythatshehadnotreadCarlylesinceshewasatschool.ButinheropiniononelikedMr.Ramsayallthebetterforthinkingthatifhislittlefingerachedthewholeworldmustcometoanend.ItwasnotTHATsheminded.Forwhocouldbedeceivedbyhim?Heaskedyouquiteopenlytoflatterhim,toadmirehim,hislittledodgesdeceivednobody.Whatshedislikedwashisnarrowness,hisblindness,shesaid,lookingafterhim.

           "Abitofahypocrite?"Mr.Bankessuggested,lookingtooatMr.Ramsay’sback,forwashenotthinkingofhisfriendship,andofCamrefusingtogivehimaflower,andofallthoseboysandgirls,andhisownhouse,fullofcomfort,but,sincehiswife’sdeath,quietrather?Ofcourse,hehadhiswork...Allthesame,heratherwishedLilytoagreethatRamsaywas,ashesaid,"abitofahypocrite."