DOI article:
James, Henry: The next time
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.27805#0047
By Henry James 43
Limbert’s fronting me for the right verdict. I gathered from the
flushed eagerness with which Mrs. Highmore asked me if I had
heard the news that a verdict of some sort had already been
rendered.
“ What news ?—about the book ? ”
“About that horrid magazine. They’re shockingly upset.
He has lost his position—he has had a fearful flare-up with Mr.
Bousefield.”
I stood there blank, but not unconscious, in my blankness, of
how history repeats itself. There came to me across the years
Maud’s announcement of their ejection from the Beacon, and
dimly, confusedly the same explanation was in the air. This
time, however, I had been on my guard; I had had my suspicion.
“ He has made it too flippant ? ” I found breath after an instant to
inquire.
Mrs. Highmore’s blankness exceeded my own. “ Too
‘ flippant ’ ? He has made it too oracular. Mr. Bousefield says
he has killed it.” Then perceiving my stupefaction : “ Don’t
you know what has happened ? ” she pursued : “ isn’t it because
in his trouble, poor love, he has sent for you, that you’ve
come? You’ve heard nothing at all ? Then you had better
know before you see them. Get in here with me—I’ll take you
a turn and tell you.” We were close to the Park, the Regent’s,
and when with extreme alacrity I had placed myself beside her
and the carriage had begun to enter it she went on : “ It was
what I feared, you know. It reeked with culture. He keyed it
up too high.”
I felt myself sinking in the general collapse. “What are you
talking about ? ”
“ Why, about that beastly magazine. They’re all on the streets.
I shall have to take mamma.”
I pulled
Limbert’s fronting me for the right verdict. I gathered from the
flushed eagerness with which Mrs. Highmore asked me if I had
heard the news that a verdict of some sort had already been
rendered.
“ What news ?—about the book ? ”
“About that horrid magazine. They’re shockingly upset.
He has lost his position—he has had a fearful flare-up with Mr.
Bousefield.”
I stood there blank, but not unconscious, in my blankness, of
how history repeats itself. There came to me across the years
Maud’s announcement of their ejection from the Beacon, and
dimly, confusedly the same explanation was in the air. This
time, however, I had been on my guard; I had had my suspicion.
“ He has made it too flippant ? ” I found breath after an instant to
inquire.
Mrs. Highmore’s blankness exceeded my own. “ Too
‘ flippant ’ ? He has made it too oracular. Mr. Bousefield says
he has killed it.” Then perceiving my stupefaction : “ Don’t
you know what has happened ? ” she pursued : “ isn’t it because
in his trouble, poor love, he has sent for you, that you’ve
come? You’ve heard nothing at all ? Then you had better
know before you see them. Get in here with me—I’ll take you
a turn and tell you.” We were close to the Park, the Regent’s,
and when with extreme alacrity I had placed myself beside her
and the carriage had begun to enter it she went on : “ It was
what I feared, you know. It reeked with culture. He keyed it
up too high.”
I felt myself sinking in the general collapse. “What are you
talking about ? ”
“ Why, about that beastly magazine. They’re all on the streets.
I shall have to take mamma.”
I pulled