: Henry James
: Washington Square
: Seltzer Books
: 9781455353095
: 1
: CHF 0.10
:
: Erzählende Literatur
: English
: 715
: DRM
: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet
: ePUB
Classic Henry James novel. According to Wikipedia: 'Henry James,(1843 - 1916), son of theologian Henry James Sr., brother of the philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James, was an American-born British author. He is one of the key figures of 19th century literary realism; the fine art of his writing has led many academics to consider him the greatest master of the novel and novella form. He spent much of his life in England and became a British subject shortly before his death. He is primarily known for a series of major novels in which he portrayed the encounter of America with Europe. His plots centered on personal relationships, the proper exercise of power in such relationships, and other moral questions. His method of writing from the point of view of a character within a tale allowed him to explore the phenomena of consciousness and perception, and his style in later works has been compared to impressionist painting.'

CHAPTER XIX


 

It was for reasons connected with this determination that on the morrow he sought a few words of private conversation with Mrs. Penniman.  He sent for her to the library, and he there informed her that he hoped very much that, as regarded this affair of Catherine's, she would mind her p's and q's.

 

"I don't know what you mean by such an expression," said his sister."You speak as if I were learning the alphabet."

 

"The alphabet of common sense is something you will never learn," the Doctor permitted himself to respond.

 

"Have you called me here to insult me?" Mrs. Penniman inquired.

 

"Not at all.  Simply to advise you.  You have taken up young Townsend; that's your own affair.  I have nothing to do with your sentiments, your fancies, your affections, your delusions; but what I request of you is that you will keep these things to yourself.  I have explained my views to Catherine; she understands them perfectly, and anything that she does further in the way of encouraging Mr. Townsend's attentions will be in deliberate opposition to my wishes. Anything that you should do in the way of giving her aid and comfort will be--permit me the expression--distinctly treasonable.  You know high treason is a capital offence; take care how you incur the penalty."

 

Mrs. Penniman threw back her head, with a certain expansion of the eye which she occasionally practised. "It seems to me that you talk like a great autocrat."

 

"I talk like my daughter's father."

 

"Not like your sister's brother!" cried Lavinia. "My dear Lavinia," said the Doctor,"I sometimes wonder whether I am your brother.  We are so extremely different.  In spite of differences, however, we can, at a pinch, understand each other; and that is the essential thing just now.  Walk straight with regard to Mr. Townsend; that's all I ask.  It is highly probable you have been corresponding with him for the last three weeks--perhaps even seeing him.  I don't ask you--you needn't tell me."  He had a moral conviction that she would contrive to tell a fib about the matter, which it would disgust him to liste