Edward came in, then his sister Clementine. Clementine looked like Augusta but did not have the same force of personality, and she had none of her mother's sexual allure. Augusta poured tea. Micky talked to Edward in a desultory way about their plans for the evening. There were no parties or balls in September: the aristocracy stayed away from London until after Christmas, and only the politicians and their wives were in town. But there was no shortage of middle-class entertainment, and Edward had tickets for a play. Micky pretended to be looking forward to it, but his mind was on Papa.
Hastead brought in hot buttered muffins. Edward ate several but Micky had no appetite. More family members arrived: Joseph's brother Young William; Joseph's ugly sister Madeleine; and Madeleine's husband Major Hartshorn, with the scar on his forehead. They all talked of the financial crisis, but Micky could tell they were not afraid: old Seth had seen it coming and had made sure that Pilasters Bank was not exposed. High-risk securities had lost value--Egyptian, Peruvian and Turkish bonds had crashed--but English government securities and English railway shares had suffered only modest falls.
One by one they all went up to visit Seth; one by one they came down and said how marvelous he was. Micky waited until last. He finally went up at half-past five.
Seth was in what used to be Hugh's room. A nurse sat outside with the door ajar in case he should call her. Micky went in and closed the door.
Seth was sitting up in bed reading The Economist Micky said: "Good afternoon, Mr. Pilaster. How are you feeling?"
The old man put his journal aside with obvious reluctance. "I'm feeling well, I thank you. How is your father?"
"Impatient to be home." Micky stared at the frail old man on the white sheets. The skin of his face was translucent, and the curved knife of the Pilaster nose seemed sharper than ever, but there was lively intelligence in the eyes. He looked as if he could live and run the bank for another decade.
Micky seemed to hear his father's voice in his ear, saying Who is standing in our way?
The old man was weak and helpless, and there was only Micky in the room and the nurse outside.
Micky realized he had to kill Seth.
His father's voice said Do it now.
He could suffocate the old man with a pillow and leave no evidence. Everyone would think he had died a natural death.
Micky's heart filled with loathing and he felt ill.
"What's the matter?" Seth said. "You look sicker than I."
