2
Mr. Black was among the earliest of those who waited on Mr. Lupin. He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it. It was then disclosed in the following manner.
Observing his second son employed in reading a book, he suddenly addressed him with: “I wonder if Mr. Lupin would like it, Reggie.”
“We are not in a way to know what Mr. Lupin likes,” said his mother resentfully, “since we are not to visit.”
“But you forget, mamma,” said Regulus, “that we shall meet him at the assemblies, and that Uncle Cygnus promised to introduce him.”
“I do not believe Uncle Cygnus will do any such thing. He has three daughters to manage. He is a lowly, unkempt man. I will not have your uncle introduce you or your brother to anyone. I do not know why my sister lowered herself to marry him and I have no opinion of him.”
“No more have I,” said Mr. Black; “and I am glad to find that you do not depend on him serving you.”
Mrs. Black deigned not to make any reply, but, unable to contain herself, began scolding one of her sons. “Don’t keep coughing so, Regulus, for Heaven’s sake! Have a little compassion on my nerves. You tear them to pieces.”
“Regulus has no discretion in his coughs,” said his father; “he times them ill.”
“I do not cough for my own amusement,” replied Regulus ruefully. “When is your next ball to be, Sirius?”
“Tomorrow fortnight.”
“Aye, so it is,” cried her mother, “and Druella does not come back till the day before; so it will be impossible for her to introduce him to her daughters, for she will not know him herself.”
“Then, my dear, you may have the advantage of your sister, and introduce Mr. Lupin to her.”
“Impossible, Mr. Black, impossible, when I am not acquainted with him myself; how can you be so teasing?”
“I honour your circumspection. A fortnight’s acquaintance is certainly very little. One cannot know what a man really is by the end of a fortnight. But if we do not venture somebody else will; and after all, Druella and her daughters must stand their chance; and, therefore, as she will think it an act of kindness, if you decline the office, I will take it on myself.” The girls stared at their father.
Mrs. Black said only, “Nonsense, nonsense!”
“What can be the meaning of that emphatic exclamation?” cried he. “Do you consider the forms of introduction, and the stress that is laid on them, as nonsense? I cannot quite agree with you there. What say you, Regulus? For you are a young man of deep reflection, I know, and read great books and make extracts.”
Regulus wished to remain silent but knew not how to do so politely.
“While Regulus is adjusting his ideas,” he continued, “let us return to Mr. Lupin.”
“I am sick of Mr. Lupin,” cried his wife. “I am sorry to hear that; but why did not you tell me that before? If I had known as much this morning I certainly would not have called on him. It is very unlucky; but as I have actually paid the visit, we cannot escape the acquaintance now.” The astonishment of his family was just what he wished; that of Mrs. Black perhaps surpassing the rest; though, when the first tumult of joy was over, she began to declare that it was what she had expected all the while.
“How right it was in you, my dear Mr. Black! But I knew I should persuade you at last. I was sure you loved your nieces too well to neglect such an acquaintance. Well, how pleased I am! and it is such a good joke, too, that you should have gone this morning and never said a word about it till now.”
“Now, Regulus, you may cough as much as you choose,” said Mr. Black, and, as he spoke, he left the room, fatigued with the raptures of his wife. “What an excellent uncle he is!” said she, when the door was shut.
“I do not know how your cousins will ever make him amends for his kindness; or me, either, for that matter. At our time of life, it is not so pleasant, I can tell you, to be making new acquaintances every day; but for your cousins’ sakes, we would do anything. Bellatrix, my love, though she is the youngest, I dare say Mr. Lupin will dance with her at the next ball.”
“Oh!” said Sirius with mirth, “I am sure she is not afraid; for though she is the youngest, she is the tallest.” The rest of the evening was spent in listening to Mrs. Black conjecturing how soon he would return Mr. Black’s visit, and determining when they should ask him to dinner.