第7章

KeithwasbesideMildred。Whentheywereunderway，shesaid：

``Whydidyoustopme？PerhapsI’llneverhavethecourageagain。’’

``Courageforwhat？’’askedhe。

``Totakeyouradvice，andbreakoff。’’

``MYadvice？’’

``Yes，youradvice。’’

``Youhavetoclutchatandclingtosomebody，don’tyou？Youcan’tbeartheideaofstandingupbyyourownstrength。’’

``YouthinkI’mtryingtofastentoyou？’’shesaid，withanangrylaugh。

``Iknowit。Youadmittedit。Youarenotsatisfiedwiththewaythingsaregoing。Youhavedoubtsaboutyourcareer。Youshrinkfromyouronlycomfortablealternative，ifthecareerwinksout。Youaskmemyopinionaboutyourselfandaboutcareers。Igiveit。

Now，Ifindyouaskedonlythatyoumighthavesomeonetoleanon，toaccuseofhavinggotyouintoamess，ifdoingwhatyouthinkyououghttodoturnsoutasbadlyasyoufear。’’

Itwasthelongestspeechshehadheardhimmake。

Shehadnoinclinationtodisputehisanalysisofhermotives。``Ididnotrealizeit，’’saidshe，``butthatisprobablyso。But——rememberhowIwasbroughtup。’’

``There’sonlyonethingforyoutodo。’’

``Gobacktomyhusband？Youknow——aboutme——don’tyou？’’

``Yes’’

``Ican’tgobacktohim。’’

``No。’’

``Then——what？’’sheasked。

``Goon，asnow，’’repliedhe。

``Youdespiseme，don’tyou？’’

``No。’’

``Butyousaidyoudid。’’

``Dislikeanddespisearenotatallthesame。’’

``Youadmitthatyoudislikeme，’’criedshetriumphantly。

Hedidnotanswer。

``Youthinkmeaweak，clingingcreature，notabletodoanythingbutmakepretenses。’’

Noanswer。

``Don’tyou？’’shepersisted。

``ProbablyIhaveaboutthesameopinionofyouthatyouhaveofyourself。’’

``WhatWILLbecomeofme？’’shesaid。Herfacelightedupwithanexpressionofrecklessbeauty。``IfIcouldonlygetstartedI’dgotothedevil，laughinganddancing——andtakingatrainwithme。’’

``YouAREstarted，’’saidhe，withanamiablesmile。

``Keepon。ButIdoubtifyou’llbesowellamusedasyoumayimagine。Goingtothedevilisn’tasit’spaintedinnovelsbyhomelyoldmaidsandbymentootimidtogooutofnights。Afewstepsfarther，andyourdisillusionmentwillbegin。Butthere’llbenoturningback。Already，youarealmosttoooldtomakeacareer。’’

``I’monlytwenty-four。IflatteredmyselfIlookedstillyounger。’’

``It’sworsethanIthought，’’saidhe。``Mostofthesingers，eventhesecond-rateones，beganatfifteen——

beganseriously。Andyouhaven’tbegunyet。’’

``That’sunjust，’’sheprotested。``I’vedonealittle。

Manygreatpeoplewouldthinkitagreatdeal。’’

``Youhaven’tbegunyet，’’repeatedhecalmly。``Youhavespentalotofmoney，andhavedonealotofdreamingandtalkingandlisteningtocompliments，andhavetakenalotoflessonsofanexpensivecharlatan。Butwhathavethosethingstodowithacareer？’’

``You’veneverheardmesing。’’

``Idonotcareforsinging。’’

``Oh！’’saidsheinatoneofrelief。``Thenyouknownothingaboutallthis。’’

``Onthecontrary，Iknoweverythingaboutacareer。

Andweweretalkingofcareers，notofsinging。’’

``YoumeanthatmyvoiceisworthlessbecauseI

haven’ttheotherelements？’’

``WhatelsecouldIhavemeant？’’saidhe。``Youhaven’tthestrength。Youhaven’tthehealth。’’

Shelaughedasshestraightenedherself。``DoI

lookweakandsickly？’’criedshe。

``Forthepurposesofacareerasafemaleyouarestrongandwell，’’saidhe。``Forthepurposeofacareerasasinger——’’Hesmiledandshookhishead。

``Asingermusthavemuscleslikewireropes，likeablacksmithorawasherwoman。Theotherdaywewereclimbingahill——anotverysteephill。Youstoppedfivetimesforbreath，andtwiceyousatdowntorest。’’

Shewasliterallyhangingherheadwithshame。``I

wasn’tverywellthatday，’’shemurmured。

``Don’tdeceiveyourself，’’saidhe。``Don’tindulgeinthefatalfollyofself-excuse。’’

``Goon，’’shesaidhumbly。``Iwanttohearitall。’’

``Isyourthroatsoreto-day？’’pursuedhe。

Shecolored。``It’sbetter，’’shemurmured。

``Asingerwithsorethroat！’’mockedhe。``You’vehadaslightfogginessofthevoiceallsummer。’’

``It’sthisseaair，’’sheeagerlyprotested。``Itaffectseveryone。’’

``Noself-excuse，please，’’interruptedhe。``Cigarettes，champagne，allkindsoffoolishfood，animpaireddigestion——that’sthetruth，andyouknowit。’’

``I’vegotsplendiddigestion！Icaneatanything！’’

shecried。``Oh，youdon’tknowthefirstthingaboutsinging。Youdon’tknowabouttemperament，aboutart，aboutallthethingsthatsingingreallymeans。’’

``Weweretalkingofcareers，’’saidhe。``Acareermeansapersonwhocanbereliedupontodowhatisdemandedofhim。Asinger’scareermeansapowerfulbody，perfecthealth，asounddigestion。Withoutthem，thevoicewillnotbereliable。Whatyouneedisnotsingingteachers，butteachersofathleticsandofhygiene。

Tohearyoutalkaboutacareerislikelisteningtoachild。Youthinkyoucanbecomeaprofessionalsingerbypayingmoneytoateacher。Therearelawyersanddoctorsandbusinessmeninalllineswhothinkthatwayabouttheirprofessions——thatlearningalittleroutineoftechnicalknowledgemakesalawyeroradoctororamerchantorafinancier。’’

``Tellme——WHAToughtItolearn？’’

``Learntothink——andtopersist。Learntoconcentrate。Learntomakesacrifices。Learntohandleyourselfasagreatpainterhandleshisbrushandcolors。

Thenperhapsyou’llmakeacareerasasinger。Ifnot，it’llbeacareerassomethingorother。’’

Shewaswatchinghimwithawistful，puzzledexpression。

``CouldIeverdoallthat？’’

``Anyonecould，byworkingawayatiteveryday。

Ifyougainonlyoneinchaday，inayearyou’llhavegainedthreehundredandsixty-fiveinches。Andifyougainaninchadayforawhileandholdit，yousoonbegintogainafootaday。Butthere’snoneedtoworryaboutthat。’’Hewasgazingathernowwithanexpressionofanimationthatshowedhowfeverishlyalivehewasbehindthatmaskofcalmness。``Theday’swork——that’sthestoryofsuccess。Dotheday’sworkpersistently，thoroughly，intelligently。Nevermindaboutto-morrow。Thinkingofitmeansdreamingordespairing——bothfutilities。Justtheday’swork。’’

``Ibegintounderstand，’’shesaidthoughtfully。

``Youareright。I’vedonenothing。Oh，I’vebeenafool——morefoolisheventhanIthought。’’

Alongsilence，thenshesaid，somewhatembarrassedandinalowvoice，thoughtherewasnodangerofthoseinfrontofthemhearing：

``Iwantyoutoknowthattherehasbeennothingwrong——betweenStanleyandme。’’

``Doyouwishmetoputthattoyourcreditortoyourdiscredit？’’inquiredhe。

``Whatdoyoumean？’’

``Why，you’vejusttoldmethatyouhaven’tgivenStanleyanythingatallforhismoney——thatyou’vecheatedhimoutright。Thethingitselfisdiscreditable，butyourtonesuggeststhatyouthinkI’lladmireyouforit。’’

``Doyoumeantosaythatyou’dthinkmorehighlyofmeifIwere——whatmostwomenwouldbeinthesamecircumstances？’’

``ImeantosaythatIthinkthewholebusinessisdiscreditabletobothofyou——tohisintelligence，toyourcharacter。’’

``Youarefrank，’’saidshe，tryingtohideheranger。

``Iamfrank，’’repliedhe，undisturbed。Helookedather。``WhyshouldInotbe？’’

``YouknowthatIneedyou，thatIdon’tdareresent，’’saidshe。``Soisn’tit——alittlecowardly？’’

``Whydoyouneedme？Notformoney，foryouknowyou’llnotgetthat。’’

``Idon’twantit，’’criedshe，agitated。``Ineverthoughtofit。’’

``Yes，you’veprobablythoughtofit，’’repliedhecoolly。``Butyouwillnotgetit。’’

``Well，that’ssettled——I’llnotgetit。’’

``Thenwhydoyouneedme？OfwhatusecanIbetoyou？Onlyoneuseintheworld。Totellyouthetruth——theexacttruth。Isnotthatso？’’

``Yes，’’shesaid。``ThatiswhatIwantfromyou——whatIcan’tgetfromanyoneelse。Nooneelseknowsthetruth——notevenMrs。Brindley，thoughshe’sintelligent。ItakebackwhatIsaidaboutyourbeingcowardly。Oh，youdostabmyvanityso！Youmustn’tmindmycryingout。Ican’thelpit——atleast，nottillIgetusedtoyou。’’

``Cryout，’’saidhe。``Itdoesnoharm。’’

``Howwonderfullyyouunderstandme！’’exclaimedshe。``That’swhyIletyousaytomeanythingyouplease。’’

Hewassmilingpeculiarly——asmilethatsomehowmadeherfeeluncomfortable。Shenervedherselfforsomestilldeeperstabintohervanity。Hesaid，hisgazeuponherandironical：

``I’msorryIcan’treturnthecompliment。’’

``Whatcompliment？’’askedshe。

``Can’tsaythatyouunderstandme。WhydoyouthinkIamdoingthis？’’

Shecolored。``Oh，noindeed，Mr。Keith，’’sheprotested，``Idon’tthinkyouareinlovewithme——oranythingofthatsort。Indeed，Idonot。Iknowyoubetterthanthat。’’

``Really？’’saidhe，amused。``Thenyouarenothuman。’’

``Howcanyouthinkmesovain？’’sheprotested。

``Becauseyouareso，’’repliedhe。``Youareasvain——nomoreso，butjustasmuchso——astheaverageprettyandattractivewomanbroughtupasyouhavebeen。Youarenotobsessedbythenotionthatyourphysicalcharmsareall-powerful，andinthatfactthereishopeforyou。Butyouattachentirelytoomuchimportancetothem。Youwillfindthemahindranceforalongtimebeforetheybegintobeahelptoyouinyourcareer。Andtheywillalwaysbeatemptationtoyoutotaketheeasy，stupidwayofmakingaliving——theonlywayopentomostwomenthatisnotpositivelyrepulsive。’’

``Ithinkitisthemostrepulsive，’’saidMildred。

``Don’tcant，’’repliedhe，unimpressed。``It’snotsorepulsivetoyoursortofwomanasmanuallabor——

orasanykindofworkthatmeansnoleisure，noluxuryandsmallpay。’’

``Iwonder，’’saidMildred。``I——I’mafraidyou’reright。ButIWON’Tadmitit。Idon’tdare。’’

``That’sthefinest，truestthingI’veeverheardyousay，’’saidKeith。

Mildredwaspleasedoutofallproportiontothecompliment。Saidshewithfrankeagerness，``ThenI’mnotaltogetherhopeless？’’

``Asacharacter，noindeed，’’repliedhe。``Butasacareer——Iwasabouttosay，youmaysetyourmindatrest。Ishallnevertrytocollectformyservices。

Iamdoingallthissolelyoutofobstinacy。’’

``Obstinacy？’’askedthepuzzledgirl。

``Theimpossibleattractsme。That’swhyI’veneverbeeninterestedtomakeacareerinlaworpoliticsorthosethings。Icareonlyforthethingthatcan’tbedone。WhenIsawyouandstudiedyou，asIstudyeverynewthing，Idecidedthatyoucouldnotpossiblymakeacareer。’’

``Whyhaveyouchangedyourmind？’’sheinterruptedeagerly。

``Ihaven’t，’’repliedhe。``IfIhad，Ishouldhavelostinterestinyou。Justassoonasyoushowsignsofmakingacareer，Ishallloseinterestinyou。Ihaveafriend，adoctor，whowilltakeonlycaseswherecureisimpossible。Lookingatyou，itoccurredtomethatherewasachancetomakeanexperimentmoreinterestingthananyofhis。AndasIhavenootherimpossibletaskinvitingmeatpresent，Idecidedtoundertakeyou——ifyouwerewilling。’’

``Whydoyoutellmethis？’’sheasked。``Todiscourageme？’’

``No。Yourvanitywillpreventthat。’’

``Thenwhy？’’

``Toclearmyselfofallresponsibilityforyou。Youunderstand——Ibindmyselftonothing。Iamfreetostoportogoonatanytime。’’

``AndI？’’saidMildred。

``YoumustdoexactlyasItellyou。’’

``Butthatisnotfair，’’criedshe。

``Whynot？’’inquiredhe。``Withoutmeyouhavenohope——nonewhatever。’’

``Idon’tbelievethat，’’declaredshe。``Itisnottrue。’’

``Verywell。Thenwe’lldropthebusiness，’’saidhetranquilly。``IfthetimecomeswhenyouseethatI’myouronlyhope，andifthenI’minmypresenthumor，wewillgoon。’’

Andhelapsedintosilencefromwhichshesoongaveovertryingtorousehim。Shethoughtofwhathehadsaid，studiedhim，butcouldmakenothingofit。Sheletfourdaysgoby，daysofincreasingunrestandunhappiness。Shecouldnotaccountforherself。DonaldKeithseemedtohavecastaspelloverher——anevilspell。Herthroatgavehermoreandmoretrouble。Shetriedhervoice，foundthatithadvanished。

Sheexaminedherselfintheglass，andsaworfanciedthatherlooksweregoing——notsothatotherswouldnoteit，butinthesubtlewaysthatgivethefirstalarmtoawomanwhohasbeautyworthtakingcareofandthinksaboutitintelligently。ShethoughtMrs。Brindleywasbeginningtodoubther，suspectedacovertuneasinessinStanley。Herfoundations，suchastheywere，seemedtotteringandreadytodisintegrate。Shesawherownpastwithclearvisionforthefirsttime——

sawhowfutileshehadbeen，andwhyKeithbelievedtherewasnohopeforher。Shemadedesperateeffortstostopthinkingaboutpastandfuture，toabsorbherselfinpresentcomfortandluxuryandopportunitiesforenjoyment。ButKeithwasalwaysthere——andtoseehimwastoloseallcapacityforenjoyment。Shewascurt，almostrudetohim——hadsomevagueideaofforcinghimtostayaway。Yeteverytimeshelostsightofhim，shewasinterroruntilshesawhimagain。

Shewasaloneonthesmallverandafacingthehigh-

road。Shehappenedtoglancetowardthestation。hergazebecamefixed，herbodyrigid，for，comingleisurelyandpompouslytowardthehouse，wasGeneralSiddall，inthefullpanoplyofhiswonderfultailoringandhaberdashery。Shethoughtofflight，butinstantlyknewthatflightwasuseless。thelittlegeneralwasnottherebyaccident。Shewaited，herrigiditygivingheradeceptiveseemingofcalmandevenease。Heenteredthelittleyard，takingoffhisglossyhatandexposingtherampanttoupee。Hesmiledathersoslightlythattheangleoftheneedle-pointedmustachesandimperialwasnotchanged。Thecold，expressionless，fishyeyessimplylookedather。

``Adelightfullittlehouse，’’saidhe，withapatronizingglancearound。``MayIsitdown？’’

Sheinclinedherhead。

``Andyouarelookingwell，charming，’’hewenton，andheseatedhimselfandcarefullyplantedhisneatbootssidebyside。``Forthesummerthere’snothingequaltotheseashore。Youaresurprisedtoseeme？’’

``Ithoughtyouwereabroad，’’saidMildred。

``SoIwas——untilyesterday。Icamebackbecausemymenhadfoundyou。AndI’mherebecauseIventuretohopethatyouhavehadenoughofthisfoolishescapade。Ihopewecancometoanunderstanding。

I’velostmytasteforwanderingabout。Iwishtosettledown——tohaveahomeandtostayinit。BythatImean，ofcourse，twoorthree——orpossiblyfour——

houses，accordingtotheseason。’’Mildredsentherglancedartingabout。Thelittlegeneralsawandbegantotalkmorerapidly。``I’vegivenconsiderablethoughttoour——ourmisunderstanding。IfeelthatI

gavetoomuchimportancetoyour——your——Ididnottakeyouryouthandinexperienceoftheworldandofmarriedlifesufficientlyintoaccount。AlsothefirstMrs。Siddallwasnotalady——northesecond。Alady，ayounglady，wasanewexperiencetome。Iamagenerousman。SoIsayfranklythatIoughttohavebeenmorepatient。’’

``YousaidyouwouldneverseemeagainuntilIcametoyou，’’saidMildred。Ashewasnotlookingather，shewatchedhisface。Shenowsawachange——behindthemask。Buthewentoninanunchangedvoice：

``WereyouawarethatMrs。Bairdisabouttosueherhusbandforaseparation——notforadivorcebutforaseparation——andnameyou？’’

Mildreddroppedlimplybackinherchair。

``Thatmeansscandal，’’continuedSiddall，``scandaltouchingmyname——myhonor。Imaysay，IdonotbelievewhatMrs。Bairdcharges。Mymenhavehadyouunderobservationforseveralweeks。Also，Mrs。

Brindleyis，Ilearn，awomanofthehighestcharacter。

Butthethinglooksbad——youhidingfromyourhusband，livingunderanassumedname，receivingthevisitsofaformeradmirer。’’

``Youaremistaken，’’saidMildred。``Mrs。Bairdwouldnotbringsuchafalse，wickedcharge。’’

``Youareinnocent，mydear，’’saidthegeneral。

``Youdon’trealizehowyourconductlooks。Sheintendstochargethatherhusbandhasbeensupportingyou。’’

Mildred，quivering，startedup，sankweaklybackagain。

``But，’’hewenton，``youwilleasilyprovethatyourmoneyisyourinheritancefromyourfather。IassuredmyselfofthatbeforeIconsentedtocomehere。’’

``Consented？’’saidMildred。``Atwhoserequest？’’

``Thatofmyowngenerosity，’’repliedhe。``Butmyhonorhadtobereassured。WhenIwassatisfiedthatyouwereinnocent，andsimplyflightyandfoolish，Icame。Iftherehadbeenanytaintuponyou，ofcourseIcouldnothavetakenyouback。Asitis，Iamwilling——Imaysay，morethanwilling。Mrs。Bairdcanbeboughtoffandfrightenedoff。Whenshefindsyouhavemetoprotectyou，shewillmoveverycautiously，youmaybesure。’’

Asthelittlemantalked，Mildredsawandfeltbehindthemaskthethoughts，thelongingsofhisphysicalinfatuationforhercoilinganduncoilingandreachingtremulouslyouttowardherlikeunclean，horribletentacles。Shewasdrawnasfarascouldbebackintoherchair，andhersoulwasshrinkingwithinherbody。

``Iamwillingtomakeyouaproperallowance，andtogiveyouallproperfreedom，’’hewenton。Heshowedhissharpwhiteteethinagracioussmile。``I

realizeImustconcedesomethingofmyold-fashionedideastothemodernspirit。IneverthoughtIwould，butIdidn’tappreciatehowfondIwasofyou，mydear。’’Hemumbledhistongueandnoiselesslysmackedhisthinlips。``Yes，youareworthconcessionsandsacrifices。’’

``Iamnotgoingback，’’saidMildred。``Nothingyoucouldoffermewouldmakeanydifference。’’Shefeltsuddenlycalmandstrong。Shestood。``Pleaseconsiderthisfinal。’’

``But，mydear，’’saidthegeneralsoftly，thoughtherewasawickedgleambehindthemask，``youforgetthescandal——’’

``Iforgetnothing，’’interruptedshe。``Ishallnotgoback。’’

Beforehecouldattemptfurthertodetainhersheopenedthescreendoorandentered。Itclosedonthespringandonthespringlock。

DonaldKeith，cominginfromthesea-frontveranda，wasjustintimetosaveherfromfalling。Shepushedhimfiercelyawayandsankdownonthesofajustwithintheprettylittledrawing-room。Shesaid：

``Thankyou。Ididn’tmeantoberude。Iwasonlyangrywithmyself。I’mgettingtobeoneofthoseabsurdfemaleswhoblubberandkeelover。’’

``You’rewhiteandlimp，’’saidhe。``What’sthematter？’’

``GeneralSiddallisoutthere。’’

``Um——he’scomeback，hashe？’’saidKeith。

``AndIamafraidofhim——horriblyafraidofhim。’’

``Insomeplacesandcircumstanceshewouldbeadangerousproposition，’’saidKeith。``ButnothereintheEast——andnottoyou。’’

``HewoulddoANYTHING。Idon’tknowwhathecando，butIamsureitwillbefrightful——willdestroyme。’’

``Youaregoingwithhim？’’

Shelaughed。``Iloathehim。IthoughtIlefthimthroughfearandanger。Iwasmistaken。Itwasloathing。Andmyfearofhim——it’sloathing，too。’’

``Youmeanthat？’’saidKeith，observingherintently。``Youwishtoberidofhim？’’

``Whatapooropinionyouhaveofme，’’saidshe。

``Really，Idon’tdeservequitethat。’’

``Thencomewithme。’’

Thelookofterrorandshrinkingreturned。

``Where？Toseehim？’’

``Forthelasttime，’’saidKeith。``There’llbenoscene。’’

Itwasthesupremetestofherconfidenceinhim。

Withouthesitation，sherose，precededhimintothehall，andadvancedfirmlytowardthescreendoorthroughwhichthelittlegeneralcouldbeseen。Hewasstandingatthetopstep，hisbacktothem。Atthesoundoftheopeningdoorheturned。

``ThisisMr。DonaldKeith，’’saidMildred。``Hewishestospeaktoyou。’’

Thegeneralbowed。Keithbenthishead。Theyeyedeachotherwiththemeasuringglance。Keithsaidinhisdry，terseway：``IaskedMissGowertocomewithmebecauseIwishhertohearwhatIhavetosaytoyou。’’

``Youmeanmywife，’’saidthegeneralwithagracioussmile。

``ImeanMissGower，’’returnedKeith。``Asyouknow，sheisnotyourwife。’’

Mildredutteredacry。butthetwomencontinuedtolookeachattheother，withimpassivecountenances。

``YouronlywifeisthewomanwhohasbeenintheprivateinsaneasylumofDoctorRiversatPueblo，Colorado，forthepastelevenyears。ForabouttwentyyearsbeforethatshewasintheDelavanprivateasylumnearDenver。YoucouldnotdivorceherunderthelawsofColorado。ThedivorceyougotinNevadawasfraudulent。’’

``That’salie，’’saidthegeneralcoldly。

Keithwenton，asifhehadnotheard：``Youwillnotannoythisladyagain。AndyouwillstopbribingStanleyBaird’swifetomakeafoolofherself。AndyouwillstopbuyinghousesintheblockswhereBairdownsrealestate，andmovingcoloredfamiliesintothem。’’

``Itellyouthataboutmydivorceisalie，’’repliedSiddall。

``Icanproveit，’’saidKeith。``AndIcanprovethatyouknewitbeforeyoumarriedyoursecondwife。’’

ForthefirsttimeSiddallbetrayedatthesurfaceahintofhowhardhewashit。Hisskingrewbrightyellow。

wrinklesroundhiseyesandroundthebaseofhisnosesprangintosuddenprominence。

``IseeyouknowwhatImean——thatattempttofalsifytherecordatCarsonCity，’’saidKeith。HeopenedthescreendoorforMildredtopassin。Hefollowedher，andthedoorclosedbehindthem。Theywentintothedrawing-room。Hedroppedintoaneasychair，crossedhislegs，leanedhisheadbackindolently——afavoriteattitudeofhis。

``Howlonghaveyouknown？’’saidshe。Hercheekswereflushedwithexcitement。

``Oh，agoodmanyyears，’’repliedhe。``Itwasoneofthoseaccidentalbitsofinformationamanrunsacrossinknockingabout。AssoonasBairdtoldmeaboutyou，Ihadthethinglookedup，quietly。Iwasgoinguptoseehimto-morrow——aboutthenegroesandMrs。

Baird’ssuit。’’

``DoesStanleyknow？’’inquiredshe。

``No，’’saidKeith。``Notnecessary。Neverwillbe。Ifyoulike，youcanhavethemarriageannulledwithoutnotoriety。Butthat’snotnecessary，either。’’

Afteralongsilence，shesaid：``Whatdoesthismakeoutofme？’’

``Youmean，whatwouldbethoughtofyou，ifitwereknown？’’inquiredhe。``Well，itprobablywouldn’timproveyoursocialposition。’’

``Iamdisgraced，’’saidshe，curiouslyratherthanemotionally。

``Wouldbe，ifitwereknown，’’correctedhe，``andifyouarenothingbutawomanwithoutmoneylookingforahusband。Ifyouhappenedtobeasingeroranactress，itwouldaddtoyourreputation——makeyoumoretalkedabout。’’

``ButIamnotanactressorasinger。’’

``Ontheotherhand，Ishouldsayyoudidn’tamounttomuchsocially。ExceptinHangingRock，ofcourse——ifthereisstillaHangingRock。Don’tworryaboutyourreputation。Fussingandfrettingaboutyoursocialpositiondoesn’thelptowardacareer。’’

``Naturally，youtakeitcoolly。Butyoucanhardlyexpectmeto，’’criedshe。

``Youaretakingitcoolly，’’saidhe。``Thenwhytrytoworkyourselfupintoafitofhysterics？Thethingisofnoimportance——exceptthatyou’refreenow——willneverbebotheredbySiddallagain。Yououghttothankme，andforgetit。Don’tbeoneofthelittlepeoplewhoareforeveragitatingabouttrifles。’’

Trifles！Tospeakofsuchthingsastrifles！Andyet——Well，whatdidtheyactuallyamounttoinherlife？``Yes，IAMfree，’’shesaidthoughtfully。``I’vegotwhatIwanted——gotitintheeasiestwaypossible。’’

``That’sbetter，’’saidheapprovingly。

``AndI’veburntmybridgesbehindme，’’pursuedshe。``There’snothingformenowbuttogoahead。’’

``Whichroad？’’inquiredhecarelessly。

``Thecareer，’’criedshe。``There’snootherforme。

OfcourseICOULDmarryStanley，whenhe’sfree，ashewouldbebeforeverylong，ifIsuggestedit。Yes，I

couldmarryhim。’’

``Couldyou？’’observedhe。

``Doesn’theloveme？’’

``Undoubtedly。’’

``Thenwhydoyousayhewouldnotmarryme？’’

demandedshe。

``DidIsaythat？’’

``Youinsinuatedit。Yousuggestedthattherewasadoubt。’’

``Then，thereisnodoubt？’’

``Yes，thereis，’’shecriedangrily。``Youwon’tletmeenjoytheleastbitofadelusion。HemightmarrymeifIwerefamous。ButasIamnow——He’saninbredsnob。Hecan’thelpit。Hesimplycouldn’tmarryawomaninmyposition。Butyou’reoverlookingonething——that_I_wouldnotmarryHIM。’’

``That’sunimportant，iftrue，’’saidKeith。

``Youdon’tbelieveit？’’

``Idon’tcareanythingaboutit，mydearlady，’’saidKeith。``HaveyougottimetowasteinthinkingabouthowmuchIaminlovewithyou？Whatawomanlywomanyouare，tobesure。Yourtruewoman，youknow，neverthinksofanythingbutlove——nothowmuchsheloves，buthowmuchsheisloved。’’

``Becareful！’’shewarned。``Somedayyou’llgotoofarinsayingoutrageousthingstome。’’

``Andthen？’’saidhesmilingly。

``Youcarenothingforourfriendship？’’

``TheexperimentistheonlyinterestIhaveinyou，’’

repliedhe。

``Thatisnottrue，’’saidshe。``Youhavealwayslikedme。That’swhyyoulookedupmyhus——

GeneralSiddal{sic}andgotreadyforhim。That’swhyyousavedmeto-day。Youareaverytender-heartedandgenerousman——andyouhideitasyoudoeverythingelseaboutyourself。’’

Hewaslookingoffintospacefromthedepthsoftheeasychair，amockingsmileonhisclassical，impassiveface。

``Whatpuzzlesme，’’shewenton，``iswhyyouinterestyourselfinasvainandshallowandvacillatingawomanasIam。Youdon’tcareformylooks——andthat’sallthereistome。’’

``Don’tpausetobecontradicted，’’saidhe。

Shewasinafinehumornow。``YoumightatleasthavesaidIwasuptothefemaleaverage，forIam。

Whathavetheygottoofferamanbuttheirlooks？

DoyouknowwhyIdespisemen？’’

``Doyou？’’

``Ido。Andit’sbecausetheyputupwithwomenasmuchastheydo——spendsomuchmoneyonthem，listentotheirchatter，admiretheirridiculousclothes。

Oh，Iunderstandwhy。I’velearnedthat。AndIcanimaginemyselfputtingupwithanythinginsomeonemanIhappenedtofancystrongly。Butmenarefoolishaboutthewholesex——orallofthemthathaveashadowofaclaimtogoodlooks。’’

``Yes，themenmakefoolsofthemselves，’’admittedhe。``ButInoticethatthemenmanagesomehowtomakethecareers，andholdontothemoneyandthepower，whilethewomenhavetowheedleandfawnandsubmitinordertogetwhattheywantfromthemen。

There’snothingtobesaidforyoursex。It’sbeenhopelesslycorruptedbymine。Forallthetalkabouttheinfluenceofwoman，whatimpressionhasyoursexmadeuponmine？Andyoursex——ithasbeenmadebymineintoexactlywhatwewishedittobe。Takemyadvice，getoutofyoursex。Abandonit，andmakeacareer。’’

Afterawhilesherecalledwithastarttheeventsoflessthananhourago——eventsthatoughttohaveseemedwildlyexciting，arousingthedeepestandstrongestemotions。Yettheyhadmadenoimpressionuponher。Absolutelynone。Shehadnohorrorinthethoughtthatshehadbeenthevictimofabigamist。

shehadnoelationoverherreleaseintofreedomandsafety。Shewonderedwhetherthisarosefromutterfrivolousnessorfromindifferencetothetriflesofconventionaljoys，sorrows，agitations，excitementswhicharethewholelifeofmostpeople——thatindifferencewhichisthecauseofthegeneralopinionthatmenandwomenwhomakecareersareusuallyhardenedintheprocess。

Asshelayawakethatnight——shehadgotaverybadhabitoflyingawakehourafterhour——shesuddenlycametoadecision。ButshedidnottellKeithforseveraldays。Shediditinthisway：

``Don’tyouthinkI’mlookingbetter？’’sheasked。

``You’resleepingagain，’’saidhe。

``Doyouknowwhy？Becausemymind’satrest。

I’vedecidedtoacceptyouroffer。’’

``Andmyterms？’’saidhe，apparentlynotinterestedbyherannouncement。

``Andyourterms，’’assentedshe。``Youarefreetostopwheneverthewhimstrikesyou。Imustdoexactlyasyoubid。Whatdoyouwishmetodo？’’

``Nothingatpresent，’’repliedhe。``Iwillletyouknow。’’

Shewasdisappointed。Shehadassumedthatsomething——

somethingnewandinteresting，probablyirritating，perhapsenraging，wouldoccuratonce。Hisindifference，hisputtingofftoafuturetime，whichhismannermadeseemmosthazilyindefinite，gaveherthefoolishandcollapsingsenseofhavingbrokenthroughanopendoor。

VII

THEfirstofSeptembertheywentuptotown。

Stanleyleftatonceforhisannualshootingtrip。

DonaldKeithdisappeared，saying——aswashishabit——

neitherwhathewasaboutnorwhenhewouldbeseenagain。Mrs。Brindleysummonedherpupilsandhermusicalfriends。MildredresumedthelessonswithJennings。Therewasnodoubtaboutit，shehadastonishinglyimprovedduringthesummer。Therehadcome——or，rather，hadcomeback——intohervoicethebirdlikequality，free，joyous，spontaneous，thathadnotbeentheresinceherfather’sdeathandthefamily’sdownfall。ShewasgladthatherarrangementwithDonaldKeithwasofsuchanaturethatshewasreallynotboundtogoonwithit——ifheshouldevercomebackandremindherofwhatshehadsaid。NowthatJenningswasenthusiastic——givingjustanddeservedpraise，asherownearandMrs。Brindleyassuredher，shewasangryatherselfforhavingtoleratedKeith’sfrankness，hisinsolence，hisinsultingandcontemptuousdenialsofherability。Shewasimpatienttoseehim，thatshemightputhimdown。ShesaidtoJennings：

``YouthinkIcanmakeacareer？’’

``Thereisn’tadoubtinmymindnow，’’repliedhe。

``Yououghttobeoneofthefewgreatlyricsopranoswithinfiveyears。’’

``Aman，thissummer——areallyunusualmaninsomeways——toldmetherewasnohopeforme。’’

``Asingingteacher？’’

``No，alawyer。AMr。Keith——DonaldKeith。’’

``I’veheardofhim，’’saidJennings。``HismotherwasRivi，thefamouscoloraturaoftwentyyearsago。’’

Mildredwasastounded。``Hemustknowsomethingaboutmusic。’’

``Probably，’’repliedJennings。``HelivedwithherinItaly，Ibelieve，untilhewasalmostgrown。Thenshedied。Yousangforhim？’’

``No，’’Mildredsaidithesitatingly。

``Oh！’’saidJennings，andhisexpression——interested，disturbed，puzzled——madeMildredunderstandwhyshehadbeensoreluctanttoconfess。Jenningsdidnotpursuethesubject，butabruptlybeganthelesson。Thatdayandseveraldaysthereafterheputhertotestshehadneverusedbefore。Shesawthathewassearchingforsomething——fortheflawimpliedintheadverseverdictofthesonofLuciaRivi。Shewasenormouslyrelievedwhenhegaveoverthesearchwithouthavingfoundtheflaw。ShefeltthatDonaldKeith’sverdicthadbeenprovedfalseoratleastfaulty。

Yetshewasnotwhollyreassured，andfromtimetotimeshesuspectedthatJenningshadnotbeen，either。

Soonthegayetyoftheprecedingwinterandspringwasinfullswingagain。Keithdidnotreturn，didnotwrite，andCyrillaBrindleyinquiredandtelephonedinvain。Mildredworkedwithenthusiasm，withhope，presentlywithconfidence。ShehopedeverydaythatKeithwouldcome。shewouldmakehimlistentoher，forcehimtoadmit。Shecaughtaslightcold，neglectedit，triedtosingitaway。Hervoiceleftherabruptly。ShewenttoJenningsasusualthedayshefoundherselfabletodonothingmoremusicalthansqueak。Shetoldhimherplight。Saidhe：

``Begin！Let’shear。’’

Shemadeafewdismalattempts，stoppedshort，and，halflaughing，halfashamed，facedhimforthelecturesheknewwouldbeforthcoming。Now，itsohappenedthatJenningswasinafrightfulhumorthatday——oneofthosehumorsinwhichthemostprudentlosetheirself-control。Hehadbeenlisteningtoasuccessionofnewpupils——womenwithmoneyandnovoice，womenwhoscreechedandscreamedandthoroughlyenjoyedthemselvesandangledconfidentlyforcompliments。AsJenningshadanacutemusicalear，hissufferingshadbeenfrightful。Hewasusedtothesetorments，hadthehabitofturningthefuryintowhichtheyputhimintoexcellentfinancialordisciplinaryaccount。Butonthisparticulardayhisnerveswenttopieces，anditwaswithMildredthattheexplosioncame。Whenshelookedathim，shewashorrifiedtoseeafacedistortedanddiscoloredbysheerrage。

``Youfool！’’heshouted，stormingupanddown。

``Youfool！Youcan’tsing！Keithwasright。Youwouldn’tdoevenforachurchchoir。Youcan’tbereliedon。There’snothingbehindyourvoice——nostrength，noendurance，nobrains。Nobrains！Doyouhear？——nobrains，Isay！’’

Mildredwasterrified。Shehadseenhimintantrumsbefore，butalwaystherehadbeenajudiciousreservingofpartofthetruth。Insteadofresenting，insteadofflashingeyeorquiveringlips，Mildredsatdownandwithwhitefaceanddazedeyesstaredstraightbeforeher。

Jenningsravedandroaredhimselfout。Ashecametohissensesfromthisdebauchoftruth-tellinghisfirstthoughtwashowexpensiveitmightbe。Thus，longbeforetherewasanyoutwardsignthatthestormhadpassed，theravings，theinsultswereshrewdlytemperedwithqualifyings。Ifshekeptoncatchingthesecolds，ifshedidnotobeyhisinstructions，shemightputoffherdebutforyears——forthreeyears，fortwoyearsatleast。Andshewouldalwaysberowingwithmanagersandirritatingthepublic——andsoonandon。Butthemischiefhadbeendone。Thegirldidnotrouse。

``Nousetogoonto-day，’’hesaidgruffly——thepretenseatlastrumblingsofanexpiringstorm。

``Noranyotherday，’’saidMildred。

Shestoodandstraightenedherself。Herfacewasbeautifulratherthanlovely。Itspallor，itsstronglines，themelancholyintensityoftheeyes，madeherseemmorethewomanfullydeveloped，less，farless，thematuringgirl。

``Nonsense！’’scoldedJennings。``Butnomorecoldslikethat。Theyimpairthequalityofthevoice。’’

``Ihavenovoice，’’saidthegirl。``Iseethetruth。’’

Jenningswasinwardlycursinghisinsanetemper。

Inaboutthekindliesttonehehadeverusedwithher，hesaid：``MydearMissStevens，youareinnoconditiontojudgeto-day。Comebackto-morrow。Dosomethingforthatcoldto-night。Clearoutthethroat——andcomebackto-morrow。Youwillsee。’’

``Yes，Iknowthosetricks，’’saidshe，withasadlittlesmile。``Youcanmakeacrowseemtosing。Butyoutoldmethetruth。’’

``To-morrow，’’hecriedpleasantly，givingheranencouragingpatontheshoulder。Heknewthefollyoftalkingtoomuch，thedangerofconfirmingherfearsbypretendingtomakelightofthem。``Agoodsleep，andto-morrowthingswilllookbrighter。’’

Hedidnotlikeherexpression。Itwasnottheonehewasusedtoseeinginthosevain，``temperamental’’

pupilsofhis——thedowncastvanitythatwillbeupagaininafewhours。Itwasrathertheexpressionofonewhohasbeenfinallyandforeverdisillusioned。

OnherwayhomeshestoppedtosendKeithatelegram：``Imustseeyouatonce。’’

Therewereseveralattheapartmentfortea，amongthemCullan，anamateurviolinistandcriticonmusicwhomsheespeciallyliked。For，insteadofthedreamy，romanticcharacterhislargebrowneyesandsensitivefeaturessuggested，herevealedintalkandactionsaboyishgayety——free，beitsaid，fromboyishsilliness——

thatwasmostinfectious。Hiswasoneofthosesoulsthatputusinthemoodtolaughatallseriousness，toforgetallelseinthesupremefactoftherealityofexistence。Hemadeherforgetthatday——forgetuntilKeith’sansweringtelegraminterrupted：``NextMondayafternoon。’’

Aweeklessadayaway！Sheshrankandtrembledattheprospectofrelyinguponherselfaloneforsixlongdays。Everyprophadbeentakenawayfromher。

Eventhedubiouspropofthestrange，unsatisfactoryKeith。Forhadhenotfailedher？Shehadsaid，``must’’and``atonce’’。andhehadrespondedwiththreewordsofcurtrefusal。

AfterdinnerStanleyunexpectedlyappeared。HehardlywaitedforthenecessaryformalitiesofthegreetingbeforehesaidtoMrs。Brindley：``IwanttoseeMildredalone。Iknowyouwon’tmind，Mrs。Brindley。

It’sveryimportant。’’Helaughednervouslybutcheerfully。

``AndinafewminutesI’llcallyouin。IthinkI’llhavesomethinginterestingtotellyou。’’

Mrs。Brindleylaughed。Withhercigaretteinonehandandhercupofafter-dinnercoffeeintheother，shemovedtowardthedoor，sayinggaylytoMildred：

``I’llbeinthenextroom。IfyouscreamIshallhear。Sodon’tbealarmed。’’

Stanleyclosedthedoor，turnedbeaminguponMildred。Saidhe：``Here’smynews。Mymissushasgotherdivorce。’’

Mildredstartedup。

``Yes，therealthing，’’heassuredher。``OfcourseIknewwhatwasdoing。ButIkeptmum——didn’twanttosayanythingtoyoutillIcouldsayeverything。

Mildred，I’mfree。Wecanbemarriedto-morrow，ifyouwill。’’

``Thenyouknowaboutme？’’saidshe，confused。

``OnthewayIstoppedintoseeKeith。Hetoldmeaboutthatskunk——toldmeyouwerefree，too。’’

Mildredslowlysatdown。Herelbowsresteduponthetable。Therewasherbareforearm，slenderandround，andherlong，gracefulfingerslayagainsthercheek。Thelightfromabovereflectedcharminglyfromthesoftwavesandcurvesofherhair。``You’relovely——simplylovely！’’criedStanley。``Mildred——

darling——youWILLmarryme，won’tyou？Youcangorightonwiththecareer，ifyoulike。Infact，I’dratheryouwould，forI’mfrightfullyproudofyourvoice。AndI’vechangedalotsinceIbecamesincerelyinterestedinyou。Theothersortoflifeandpeopledon’tamusemeanymore。Mildred，sayyou’llmarryme。I’llmakeyouashappyasthedaysarelong。’’

Shemovedslightly。Herhanddroppedtothetable。

``IguessIcamedownonyoutoosuddenly，’’saidhe。``Youlookabitdazed。’’

``No，I’mnotdazed，’’repliedshe。

``I’llcallMrs。Brindleyin，andwe’llallthreetalkitover。’’

``Pleasedon’t，’’saidshe。``I’vegottothinkitoutformyself。’’

``Iknowthereisn’tanyoneelse，’’hewenton。``So，I’msure——deadsure，Mildred，thatIcanteachyoutoloveme。’’

Shelookedathimpleadingly。``Idon’thavetoanswerrightaway？’’

``Certainlynot，’’laughedhe。``Butwhyshouldn’tyou？Whatisthereagainstourgettingmarried？

Nothing。Andeverythingforit。Ourmarriagewillstraightenoutallthe——thelittledifficulties，andyoucangoaheadwiththesingingandnotbotheraboutmoney，orwhatpeoplemightsay，oranyofthosethings。’’

``I——I’vegottothinkaboutit，Stanley，’’shesaidgently。``Iwanttodothedecentthingbyyouandbymyself。’’

``You’reafraidI’llinterfereinthecareer——won’twantyoutogoon？Mildred，IswearI’m——’’

``Itisn’tthat，’’sheinterrupted，hercolorhigh。

``Thetruthis——’’shefaltered，cametoafullstop——

cried，``Oh，Ican’ttalkaboutitto-night。’’

``To-morrow？’’hesuggested。

``I——don’tknow，’’shestammered。``Perhapsto-

morrow。Butitmaybetwoorthreedays。’’

Stanleylookedcrestfallen。``Thathurts，Mildred，’’

hesaid。``IwasSOfullofit，soanxioustobeentirelyhappy，andIthoughtyou’dfallrightinwithit。

Somethingtodowithmoney？You’rehorriblysensitiveaboutmoney，dear。Ilikethatinyou，ofcourse。

Notmanywomenwouldhavebeenassquare，wouldhavetakenaslittle——andworkedhard——andthoughtandcaredaboutnothingbutmakinggood——ByJove，it’snowonderI’mstarkcrazyaboutYOU！’’

Shewasflushedandtrembling。``Don’t，’’shepleaded。``You’rebeatingmedownintothedust。I——

I’m——’’Shestartedup。``Ican’ttalkto-night。

ImightsaythingsI’dbe——Ican’ttalkaboutit。I

must——’’

Shepressedherlipstogetherandfledthroughthehalltoherownroom，toshutandlockherselfin。Hestaredinamazement。Whenheheardthedistantsoundoftheturningkeyhedroppedtoachairagainandlaughed。Certainlywomenwerequeercreatures——

alwaysdoingwhatonedidn’texpect。Still，intheend——

well，asensiblewomanknewagoodchancetomarryandtookit。TherewasnodoubtagooddealofpretenseinMildred’sdelicacyastomoneymatters——butadevilishcreditablesortofpretense。Helikedtheladylike，``nice’’pretenses，ofwomenoftherightsort——likedthemwhentheyfooledhim，likedthemwhentheyonlyhalffooledhim。

Presentlyheknockedonthedoorofthelittlelibrary，openeditwhenpermissioncameinCyrilla’svoice。Shewasreadingtheeveningpaper——hedidnotseetheglassesshehastilythrustintoadrawer。Inthatsoftlightshelookedascantthirty，handsome，butforhistastetoointellectualoftypetobeattractive——exceptasafriend。

``Well，’’saidhe，ashelitacigaretteanddroppedthematchintothebigcopperash-bowl，``I’llbetyoucan’tguesswhatI’vebeenupto。’’

``MakinglovetoMissStevens，’’repliedshe。``Andveryfoolishitisofyou。She’sgotasteadyheadinthatway。’’

``You’remightyright，’’saidheheartily。``AndI

admireherforthatmorethanforanythingelse。I’dtrustheranywhere。’’

``You’repayingyourselfahighcompliment，’’

laughedCyrilla。

``How’sthat？’’inquiredhe。``You’retoosubtleforme。I’mabitslow。’’

Mrs。Brindleydecidedagainstexplaining。Itwasnotwisetoriskraisinganunjustdoubtinthemindofamanwhofanciedthatawomanwhoresistedhimwouldbeadamanttoeveryotherman。``ThenI’vegottoguessagain？’’saidshe。

``I’vebeenaskinghertomarryme，’’saidStanley，whocouldcontainitnolonger。``Mrs。B。wasreleasedfrommeto-daybythecourtinProvidence。’’

``ButSHE’Snotfree，’’saidCyrilla，alittleseverely。

Stanleylookedconfused，finallysaid：``Yes，sheis。

It’saqueerstory。Don’tsayanything。Ican’texplain。IknowIcantrustyoutokeepaclosemouth。’’

``Mindingmyownbusinessismyonesupremetalent，’’

saidCyrilla。

``Shehasn’tacceptedme——insomanywords，’’pursuedBaird，``butI’vehopesthatit’llcomeoutallright。’’

``Naturally，’’commentedCyrilladryly。

``IknowI’mnot——notobjectionabletoher。AndhowIdoloveher！’’Hesettledhimselfathisease。

``Ican’tbelieveit’sreallyme。IneverthoughtI’dmarry——justforlove。Didyou？’’

``You’reveryself-indulgent，’’saidCyrilla。

``YoumeanI’mmarryingherbecauseIcan’tgetheranyotherway。There’swhereyou’rewrong，Mrs。

Brindley。I’mmarryingherbecauseIdon’twantheranyotherway。That’swhyIknowit’slove。Ididn’tthinkIwascapableofit。Ofcourse，I’vebeenratherstrongaftertheladiesallmylife。Youknowhowitiswithmen。’’

``Ido，’’saidMrs。Brindley。

``No，youdon’teither，’’retortedhe。``You’reoneofthosecold，stand-me-offwomenwhocan’tcomprehendthenatureofman。’’

``Asyouplease，’’saidshe。Inhereyestherewasagleamthatmorethansuggestedapossibilityofsomeman——somemanshemightfancy——seeinganamazinglydifferentCyrillaBrindley。

``ImaysayIwasdaftaboutprettywomen，’’

continuedBaird。``Ineverreadanitemaboutaprettywomaninthepapers，orsawapictureofaprettywomanthatIdidn’twishIknewher——well。Canyouimaginethat？’’laughedhe。

``Commonplace，’’saidCyrilla。``Allmenareso。

That’swhythepapersalwaysdescribethewomanasprettyandwhythepicturesarepublished。’’

``Really？Yes，Isupposeso。’’Bairdlookedchagrined。``Anyhow，hereIam，allforonewoman。

Andwhy？Ican’texplainittomyself。She’spretty，lovely，entrancingsometimes。Shehascharm，grace，sweetness。Shedresseswellandcarriesherselfwithakindofsweethaughtiness。Shelooksasifsheknewalot——andnothingbad。Doyouknow，Ican’timagineherhavingbeenmarriedtothatbeast！I’vetriedtoimagineit。Isimplycan’t。’’

``Ishouldn’ttryifIwereyou，’’saidMrs。Brindley。

``ButIwastalkingaboutwhyIloveher。Doesthisboreyou？’’

``Alittle，’’laughedCyrilla。``I’dratherhearsomemantalkingaboutMYcharms。Butgoon。Youareamusing，inaway。’’

``I’llwagerIam。YouneverthoughtI’dbecaught？

IbelievedIwasimmune——vaccinatedagainstit。

IthoughtIknewallthetricksandturnsofthesex。

YethereIam！’’

``Whatdoyouthinkcaughtyou？’’

``That’sthemystery。It’ssimplythatIcan’tdowithouther。Everythingshelooksandsaysanddoesinterestsmemorethananythingelseintheworld。AndwhenI’mnotwithherI’mwishingIwereandwonderinghowshe’slookingorwhatshe’ssayingordoing。Youdon’tthinkshe’llrefuseme？’’Thislastwithrealanxiety。

``Ihaven’tanidea，’’repliedMrs。Brindley。``She’s——peculiar。Insomemoodsshewould。Inothers，shecouldn’t。AndI’veneverbeenabletosettletomysatisfactionwhichkindofmoodwastherealMaryStevens。’’

``SheISqueer，isn’tshe？’’saidStanleythoughtfully。

``ButI’vetoldhershe’dbefreetogoonwiththecareer。

Factis，Iwanthertodoit。’’

Mrs。Brindley’seyestwinkled。``Youthinkitwouldjustifyyoutoyoursetinmarryingher，ifshemadeagreathit？’’

Stanleyblushedingenuously。``I’llnotdenythathassomethingtodowithit，’’headmitted。``Andwhynot？’’

``Whynot，indeed？’’saidshe。``But，aftershehadmadethehit，you’dwanthertoquitthestageandtakeherplaceinsociety。Isn’tthatso？’’

``YouAREakeenone，’’exclaimedheadmiringly。

``ButIdidn’tsaythattoher。Andyouwon’t，willyou？’’

``It’shardlynecessarytoaskthat，’’saidMrs。

Brindley。``Now，suppose——Youdon’tmindmytalkingaboutthis？’’

``WhatIwant，’’repliedhe。``Ican’ttalkorthinkanythingbuther。’’

``Now，supposesheshouldn’tmakeahit。Supposesheshouldfail——shouldnotdevelopreliablevoiceenough？’’

Stanleylookedfrightened。``Butshecan’tfail，’’

hecriedwithover-energy。``There’snoquestionabouthervoice。’’

``Iunderstand，’’Mrs。Brindleyhastenedtosay。``I

wassimplymakingconversationwithherasthesubject。’’

``Oh，Isee。’’Stanleysettledback。

``Supposesheshouldprovenottobeagreatartist——

whatthen？’’persistedCyrilla，whowasdeeplyinterestedintheintricateobscureproblemofwhatpeoplereallythoughtasdistinguishedfromwhattheyprofessedandalsofromwhattheyimaginedtheythought。

``Thefactthatshe’sagreatartist——that’spartofher，’’saidBaird。``Ifsheweren’tagreatsinger，shewouldn’tbeshe——don’tyousee？’’

``Yes，Isee，’’saidMrs。Brindleywithanironicsadnesswhichsheindulgedopenlybecausetherewasnodangerofhisunderstanding。

``Idon’texactlyloveherbecausesheamountstoalot——orissureto，’’pursuedhe，vaguelydissatisfiedwithhimself。``It’sjustasshedoesn’tcareformebecauseI’vegotthemeanstotakecareofherright，yetthat’spartofme——andshe’dnotbeabletomarrymeifIhadn’t。Don’tyousee？’’

``Yes，Isee，’’saidMrs。Brindleywithmoreironyandlesssadness。``There’salwaysSOMEreasonbesidelove。’’

``I’dsaythere’salwayssomereasonFORlove，’’saidBaird，andhefeltthathehadsaidsomethingbrilliant——

asisthehabitofpeopleofsluggishmentalitywhentheysayathingtheydonotthemselvesunderstand。

``Youdon’tdoubtthatIloveher？’’hewenton。``WhyshouldIaskhertomarrymeifIdidn’t？’’

``Isupposethatsettlesit，’’saidCyrilla。

``Ofcourseitdoes，’’declaredhe。