When he was gone Arabella continued: "He'll never be a beauty, will
he, poor chap! Does he know I am his mother really?"
"No. He thinks there is some mystery about his parentage--that's all.
Jude is going to tell him when he is a little older."
"But how do you come to be doing this? I am surprised."
"It is only a temporary occupation--a fancy of ours while we are in a
difficulty."
"Then you are living with him still?"
"Yes."
"Married?"
"Of course."
"Any children?"
"Two."
"And another coming soon, I see."
Sue writhed under the hard and direct questioning, and her tender
little mouth began to quiver.
"Lord--I mean goodness gracious--what is there to cry about? Some
folks would be proud enough!"
"It is not that I am ashamed--not as you think! But it seems
such a terribly tragic thing to bring beings into the world--so
presumptuous--that I question my right to do it sometimes!"
"Take it easy, my dear... But you don't tell me why you do such a
thing as this? Jude used to be a proud sort of chap--above any
business almost, leave alone keeping a standing."
"Perhaps my husband has altered a little since then. I am sure he
is not proud now!" And Sue's lips quivered again. "I am doing this
because he caught a chill early in the year while putting up some
stonework of a music-hall, at Quartershot, which he had to do in the
rain, the work having to be executed by a fixed day. He is better
than he was; but it has been a long, weary time! We have had an old
widow friend with us to help us through it; but she's leaving soon."
"Well, I am respectable too, thank God, and of a serious way of
thinking since my loss. Why did you choose to sell gingerbreads?"
"That's a pure accident. He was brought up to the baking business,
and it occurred to him to try his hand at these, which he can make
without coming out of doors. We call them Christminster cakes.
They are a great success."
"I never saw any like 'em. Why, they are windows and towers, and
pinnacles! And upon my word they are very nice." She had helped
herself, and was unceremoniously munching one of the cakes.
"Yes. They are reminiscences of the Christminster Colleges.
Traceried windows, and cloisters, you see. It was a whim of his
to do them in pastry."