Evander thought it would be polite of him to pretend not to have heard that first question, because he did not think his brother would be much inclined to hear his honest answer. But he was – only judging on appearances, mostly, and hunches. And a little of his own experience, since he and Caroline were in much the same boat – although where he had found things natural enough with Lily, she had struggled, and now with Edmund, vice versa.
“Is she really?” Evander said, with some (not very disguised) surprise. Partially this was because he had always thought Alfred so much better – instinctively – with Charity, when she had come into their lives; he had supposed this would extend to infants, who had even lower standards, generally. Partially it had been the lingering misgivings he had about Aflred’s choice of wife. Evander – liked Zelda well enough, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have concerns that she had bitten off more than she could chew. “Even with her working at the Ministry again?” A Ministry career and motherhood seemed at odds to him. And if she was good with the children, then really she ought to be with them at home, particularly if Alfred happened to be floundering.
“Is she really?” Evander said, with some (not very disguised) surprise. Partially this was because he had always thought Alfred so much better – instinctively – with Charity, when she had come into their lives; he had supposed this would extend to infants, who had even lower standards, generally. Partially it had been the lingering misgivings he had about Aflred’s choice of wife. Evander – liked Zelda well enough, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have concerns that she had bitten off more than she could chew. “Even with her working at the Ministry again?” A Ministry career and motherhood seemed at odds to him. And if she was good with the children, then really she ought to be with them at home, particularly if Alfred happened to be floundering.
