London and
Heaven, as stated, were not looked forward to unreservedly.
There were compensations, though. They knew the joy of deciding who
would go there. Stumper, of course, for one: it was the only place he
would not come back from: he would be K.C.B. Uncle Felix, too, because
it was his original source of origin. Mother repeatedly called him
"angel," and even if she hadn't, it was clear he knew all about both
places by the way he talked. Stumper's India was not quite believed in
owing to the way he described it, but Uncle Felix's London was real
and living, while the other marvellous things he told them could only
have happened in some kind of heavenly place. His position, therefore,
was unshakable, and Mother and Daddy also had immemorial rights.
Others of their circle, however, found themselves somewhat equivocally
situated. Thompson and Mrs. Horton were uncertain, for since there was
"no marriage" there, there could be no families to wait upon and cook
for. Weeden, also, was doubtful. Having never been to London, the
alternative happiness was not properly within his grasp, whereas the
Postman might be transferred from the metropolis to the stars at any
minute of the day or night.
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