11. Recovery and Return

In 1924, when Trix was fifty-six years old, she was recalled from exile. Jack, sixty-six years old and in declining health, allowed Trix back into the Fleming home in Edinburgh. She was at first treated as if she were incompetent, but she eventually demonstrated that she was not only capable and coherent, but charming and witty. She nursed but also teased and subtly tortured Jack through his final years of ill health. She mourned the death of her brother in 1936 and the loss of her husband in 1942. With Rudyard’s death, Trix became a valued resource for Kipling biographers. When Jack died, she was liberated from the unsatisfying roles of companion and nursemaid. Having outlived her brother and husband, she created her final extravagant persona—playful, garrulous, and eccentric old lady. Trix died on October 25th 1948 at the age of 80.

Trix characterized much of her life as a waste, but it was not entirely so. Her contributions to the Psychic Research Society were important to their work, her editorial and critical support for her friend, Maud Diver was crucial to the composition of her many popular novels, and her early collaboration and life-long encouragement to her brother provided him with sustenance throughout his illustrious career. Her brilliant talk embellished by quotations and ornamented with wit and devilish humor was well remembered by the many who called her “Aunt Trix” and the many others fortunate enough to have shared her company.

But her life was a waste of a brilliant literary gift. Trix had talent, originality, perhaps even genius, but these alone were not enough to secure success. Without the inner resources of self-love, confidence, and persistence she could not persevere through the distractions, frustrations, and vexations of a literary career. She was able to tend to her talent when it burst forth precociously, almost spontaneously, in youth. But as an adult, lacking in internal strength, she needed external support to nurture her gift, and that she did not have. On the contrary, she had to contend with societal disapproval, parental pressure, and spousal incomprehension. She was no match for this much opposition, and her art, blossoming early, withered before it reached full flower.