Коханець леді Чаттерлей
Chapter 7
ShewaskindtoConnie,andtriedtowormintoherwoman’ssoulwiththesharpgimletofherwell-bornobservations.
’You’requitewonderful,inmyopinion,’shesaidtoConnie.’You’vedonewondersforClifford.Ineversawanybuddinggeniusmyself,andthereheis,alltherage.’AuntEvawasquitecomplacentlyproudofClifford’ssuccess.Anotherfeatherinthefamilycap!Shedidn’tcareastrawabouthisbooks,butwhyshouldshe?
’Oh,Idon’tthinkit’smydoing,’saidConnie.
’Itmustbe!Can’tbeanybodyelse’s.Anditseemstomeyoudon’tgetenoughoutofit.’
’How?’
’Lookatthewayyouareshutuphere.IsaidtoClifford:Ifthatchildrebelsonedayyou’llhaveyourselftothank!’
’ButCliffordneverdeniesmeanything,’saidConnie.
’Lookhere,mydearchild’--andLadyBennerleylaidherthinhandonConnie’sarm.’Awomanhastoliveherlife,orlivetorepentnothavinglivedit.Believeme!’Andshetookanothersipofbrandy,whichmaybewasherformofrepentance.
’ButIdolivemylife,don’tI?’
’Notinmyidea!CliffordshouldbringyoutoLondon,andletyougoabout.Hissortoffriendsareallrightforhim,butwhataretheyforyou?IfIwereyouIshouldthinkitwasn’tgoodenough.You’llletyouryouthslipby,andyou’llspendyouroldage,andyourmiddleagetoo,repentingit.’
Herladyshiplapsedintocontemplativesilence,soothedbythebrandy.
ButConniewasnotkeenongoingtoLondon,andbeingsteeredintothesmartworldbyLadyBennerley.Shedidn’tfeelreallysmart,itwasn’tinteresting.
