The Man in Possession — page 120: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 155 all?” she said. ‘‘If they don’t amuse you and are only atrouble, why not keep your house to yourself, or—say two or three particular friends whom you can depend on?” Lady Jocelyn looked at her with mild surprise. ‘* How could I?” she asked plaintively. ‘‘ Why, all sorts of things would be said. That I was in debt, or had taken to drinking, or that my son had done something disgraceful. Society is so very exacting, yousee. Itis all very well to say, ‘Why do we do this, or that?’ but we really must ; we are compelled to do what others do, or—or be thought fe monéee, if we don’t. No one really enjoys it, but we are like sheep and must follow our leader. Ihave tried to be a little independent, to vary the routine, so to speak, but I am sure people don’t like me any the better.” Again she sighed as she looked into the flames. ‘¢Of course,” she resumed, ‘‘I would live more quietly if my son were married, But until that event takes place, I must, for his sake, keep up with all that goes on in the world.” Kate was silent. She had heard so often of the sacrifices made for Sir Wilfred, and the eagerness ’ with which a respectable daughter-in-law was coveted by Lady Jocelyn. ‘‘T think,” that lady went on, ‘‘ indeed I am almost sure, that he has at last decided upon some one who might make him happy .. . and,” with an arch glance at Kate, ‘‘makeme soalso. Fortunately my sons choice is not one that would be biased by —worldly considerations. I have always bade him please himself so long as birth and good breeding COMicloe (Sri C(O)