Elders and Betters by Ivy Compton-Burnett

for ever at the age of forty-five,” said Esmond, still in a mutter.
    â€œYou had Jenney and Claribel to help you,” said Bernard to his sister.
    â€œYes, I remember Claribel’s arriving to play duenna. But I have the impression that I steered my own course, and more of less that of us all.”
    â€œI was content to observe from a distance,” said her cousin. “I saw no reason to interfere without need. That is not my personal inclination. I am afraid I am not one of the Marthas of the world, popular character though it is. We poor Marys get much less esteem.”
    â€œWell, what did Mother die of?” said Anna, in her blunt manner. “Does anyone know? Do you know, Father?”
    â€œI could hardly fail to. And you shall know also at some fitting time, if it is still your wish.”
    Esmond gave his father a glance of sympathy, a rare if not a unique occurrence.
    â€œOh, don’t make me feel as if I were some unfeeling monster, Father. What is there unnatural or unfit in wanting to hear about your own mother’s last illness? It was your business to see that I knew. If anyone had asked me about it, we should have looked a strange family. Why can’t I be told in a normal way, instead of being made the victim of other people’s self-complacence? And of courseI don’t want any embarrassing appointments for the future. I can tell you have been with Aunt Jessica. That is just her touch.”
    â€œIt was a chill that went to the lungs,” said Benjamin, and said no more.
    â€œWell, what could be more ordinary than that?” said his daughter, rising and hastening to the door on some other concern. “I was almost wondering if it were something equivocal. Such mystery-mongering does no good. It gives any kind of impression. There is no loyalty or sensitiveness about it.”
    There followed a long pause.
    â€œSo that is the method of dealing with Father,” said Esmond under his breath.
    â€œIt is a pity we are above it,” said Bernard.
    â€œI do not agree with you,” said his brother.
    â€œNo, I think I am glad to belong to the highly-organised part of the world,” said Claribel, bending towards them, “inconvenient though it may be for me and other people.”

Chapter III
    â€œO GREAT AND good and powerful god, Chung,” said Theodora Calderon, on her knees before a rock in the garden, “protect us, we beseech thee, in the new life that is upon us. For strangers threaten our peace, and the hordes of the alien draw nigh. Keep us in thy sight, and save us from the dangers that beset our path. For Sung Li’s sake, amen.”
    â€œFor Sung Li’s sake, amen,” said her brother.
    â€œGuard us from the boldness of their eyes and the lewdness of their tongues,” went on Theodora. “For their strength is great, and the barbarian heart is within them. Their eyes may be cold on the young, and harsh words may issue from their lips. Therefore have us in thy keeping. For Sung Li’s sake, amen.”
    â€œSung Li is a good name,” said Julius, as they rose from their knees. “Enough like Son and yet not too much like it. It would not do to have them the same.”
    â€œBlasphemy is no help in establishing a deity,” said his sister, in a tone of supporting him. “And the power of Chung is real, though it is only used for those who believe in him. And he would always help people’s unbelief.”
    â€œAfter the age of fourteen his influence fades,” said Julius, in a tone of suggestion.
    â€œThen people have to turn to the accepted faith. Their time of choice is past. But the power of the young gods is real for those who are innocent. That would be the test.”
    â€œBut we are not innocent,” said Julius.
    â€œYes, I think we are. Children’s sins are light in the eyes of the gods.”
    â€œWe steal things that are not ours, Dora.”
    â€œYes, but