Louis Couperus

Name: Old People and the Things that Pass — Chapter XXVIII
Author: Louis Couperus

Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

Summary

“Old People and the Things that Pass — Chapter XXVIII”, published in 1919, is a work by Louis Couperus. It explores elements such as Hugh, Thérèse and Elly.

Quotes from Old People and the Things that Pass… (Louis Couperus)

Louis Couperus, Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

“ Poor, poor Mamma!
"You're extraordinarily like Mamma, Lot," said Hugh.
Yes, he was like his mother: he too was short, had very nearly her eyes, had very nearly her pretty hair, had the moulding of her young face.... He had been vain sometimes of his appearance in his youth, when he knew that he was a good-looking, fair-haired little chap. But he was vain no longer; and, beside Hugh, he felt an old woman, a slack-nerved old woman.... To be so tall, so broad-shouldered, so bold-eyed, with such a smiling-selfish mouth, such a cold heart, such calm, steel muscles and especially nerves ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louis Couperus, Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

“ Hugh's hand went to his cap, as in salutation to a stranger. They passed one another without a word; and Steyn walked out of the door. That was his leave-taking of his wife: he never saw her again; and with him there passed the last remnant of all her life of love.
"I came to see how Mamma is," she said to Elly, to Anna. "And Hugh would so much like to see his grandmother. But Mamma is still in bed, isn't she, Anna? ..."
She entered the morning-room:
"Ah, Lot! ... Why, what's the matter, my boy?"
"Nothing, Mummy, nothing...."
"Why are you looking so sad? Have you been crying?" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louis Couperus, Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

“ Formerly I used to think, if I go leaving her, then I'm leaving her alone with you; and money was scarce on both sides: I could never bring myself to do it then; but now, Lot, I shall go my own way."
"But, Steyn, you can't abandon Mamma to Hugh's mercies! "
"Can't I?" cried Steyn, flaring up. "And what would you have me do? Look on? Look on while she squanders her money on that boy? What can I do to stop it? Nothing! I refuse to give the least impression that I want to be economical with her money. Let her throw it away on that boy! She's got a hundred thousand: it'll be finished in a year. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louis Couperus, Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

“ The silence of the room was broken by Ottilie Steyn's sobs and by the sighing of the old woman's breath.... Out of doors, the thaw stole down the window-panes like a stream of tears.
"Oh!" Anna wept. "How long the old lady takes dying! ... Hark ... there's a ring! ... That kind Mr. Hugo, the dear boy, he's a great help to me, Mrs. Ottilie: listen, he's opening the door again! ..."
Hugh did in fact open the door; and in quick succession there entered Harold, Daan and Floor, Stefanie and Anton, Ina, D'Herbourg and the Van Welys. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louis Couperus, Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

“ Since you left to get married, the house is simply a hell. You brought a certain peace and quiet at times; you managed to ensure a little harmony at meals. But that's all gone now.... For you to come and live with us ... I shouldn't even wish it. It would mean a wretched life for Elly. Besides ... Mamma has money enough now to go where she likes ... and, now that she has money, Hugh remains with her.... I asked her to talk as little as she could about the legacy and I don't believe that she goes chattering about it either; but she has told Hugh everything.... ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louis Couperus, Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

“ Harold ... it is a good thing that Mamma is dying ... and she is dying peacefully ... so it seems...."
Yes, she was dying, dying peacefully.... Beside her bed Thérèse knelt and prayed, Thérèse who did not know, so Harold thought: nobody ... nobody knew but himself and Daan.... The Thing ... the Thing was passing.... Listen, upstairs his mother was sighing away her last few breaths; and at each breath the Thing passed, passed farther, trailing its misty veil: leaves rustled, the thaw poured on as in a stream of tears, spectres loomed behind the trees, but the Thing ... ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louis Couperus, Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

“ Yes, it's wonderful how young she looks, though she is sixty: you'd never think it, to look at her.... You mustn't mind my speaking so freely of your wife, Mr. Frans ... nor about Mr. Hugo either, you mustn't be angry. I know you're not very fond of him; and he's a sly one, that I do believe; but he makes you like him and no mistake about it.... Well, you always got on with Mr. Lot, didn't you, Mr. Frans? ... And now I'd better tell Mrs. Thérèse that you're here...."
Old Anna tripped away and up the stairs and Steyn asked:
"Haven't you decided yet what you're going to do?" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louis Couperus, Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

“ She was an old woman, she was sixty; but, when she now entered beside her English son, she was of no age, because of a happiness that owed nothing to real maternal feeling, a happiness due only to a little affection which her English son bestowed upon her in words of flattery and caresses. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Louis Couperus, Old People and the Things that Pass… (1919)

“ Yes, I asked Dr. Thielens: 'Doctor,' I said, 'is it a good thing that Mrs. Thérèse keeps praying all day long by the mistress' bed?' But the doctor, who had seen the mistress, said, 'Well, it doesn't seem to excite her: on the contrary, she is very quiet and pleased to see Mrs. Thérèse again ... for the last time perhaps!' ... Ah, Mrs. Elly and Mr. Lot, it's a sad home-coming for you! ... And who do you think I saw as well? Your brother, Mr. Lot ..."
"Hugh ...?" ”

Louis Couperus

Summary

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