Howards End

slated houses passed before Mrs. Munt’s inattentive eyes, a series broken at one point by six Danish tumuli that stood shoulder to shoulder along the highroad, tombs of soldiers. Beyond these tumuli, habitations thickened, and the train came to a standstill in a tangle that was almost a town.
    The station, like the scenery, like Helen’s letters, struck an indeterminate note. Into which country will it lead, England or Suburbia? It was new, it had island platforms and a subway, and the superficial comfort exacted by business men. But it held hints of local life, personal intercourse, as even Mrs. Munt was to discover.
    "I want a house," she confided to the ticket boy. "Its name is Howards Lodge. Do you know where it is?"
    "Mr. Wilcox!" the boy called.
    A young man in front of them turned around.
    "She’s wanting Howards End."
    There was nothing for it but to go forward, though Mrs. Munt was too much agitated even to stare at the stranger. But remembering that there were two brothers, she had the sense to say to him, "Excuse me asking, but are you the younger Mr. Wilcox or the elder?"
    "The younger. Can I do anything for you?"
    "Oh, well"—she controlled herself with difficulty. "Really. Are you? I—" She moved; away from the ticket boy and lowered her voice. "I am Miss Schlegel’s aunt. I ought to introduce myself, oughtn’t I? My name is Mrs. Munt."
    She was conscious that he raised his cap and said quite coolly, "Oh, rather; Miss Schlegel is stopping with us. Did you want to see her?"
    "Possibly."
    "I’ll call you a cab. No; wait a mo—" He thought. "Our motor’s here. I’ll run you up in it."
    "That is very kind."
    "Not at all, if you’ll just wait till they bring out a parcel from the office. This way."
    "My niece is not with you by any chance?"
    "No; I came over with my father. He has gone on north in your train. You’ll see Miss Schlegel at lunch. You’re coming up to lunch, I hope?"
    "I should like to come UP," said Mrs. Munt, not committing herself to nourishment until she had studied Helen’s lover a little more. He seemed a gentleman, but had so rattled her round that her powers of observation were numbed. She glanced at him stealthily.
    To a feminine eye there was nothing amiss in the sharp depressions at the corners of his mouth, or in the rather box–like construction of his forehead. He was dark, clean–shaven, and seemed accustomed to command.
    "In front or behind? Which do you prefer? It may be windy in front."
    "In front if I may; then we can talk."
    "But excuse me one moment—I can’t think what they’re doing with that parcel." He strode into the booking–office, and called with a new voice: "Hi! hi, you there! Are you going to keep me waiting all day? Parcel for Wilcox, Howards End. Just look sharp!"
    Emerging, he said in quieter tones: "This station’s abominably organised; if I had my way, the whole lot of 'em should get the sack. May I help you in?"
    "This is very good of you," said Mrs. Munt, as she settled herself into a luxurious cavern of red leather, and suffered her person to be padded with rugs and shawls. She was more civil than she had intended, but really this young man was very kind. Moreover, she was a little afraid of him; his self–possession was extraordinary. "Very good indeed," she repeated, adding: "It is just what I should have wished."
    "Very good of you to say so," he replied, with a slight look of surprise, which, like most slight looks, escaped Mrs. Munt’s attention. "I was just tooling my father over to catch the down train."
    "You see, we heard from Helen this morning."
    Young Wilcox was pouring in petrol, starting his engine, and performing other actions with which this story has no concern. The great car began to rock, and the form of Mrs. Munt, trying to explain things, sprang agreeably up and down among the red cushions. "The mater will be very glad to see you," he mumbled. "Hi! I say. Parcel. Parcel for Howards End. Bring it out. Hi!"
    A bearded porter emerged with the parcel in one hand and an entry book in the other. With the gathering whir of the motor these ejaculations mingled: "Sign, must I? Why the—should I sign after all this bother? Not even got a pencil on you? Remember next time I report you to the station–master. My time’s of value, though yours mayn’t be. Here"—here being a tip.
    "Extremely sorry, Mrs. Munt."
    "Not at all, Mr. Wilcox."
    "And do you object to going through the village? It is rather a longer