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Cyrillaheldupthepaper。``Thistellshowshebecameoneofthesurestandmostpowerfuldramaticsopranosthateverlived。’’
``Shemusthavebeenadullpersontohavebeenabletoleadthekindoflifethat’sdescribedthere，’’saidMildred。
``Onlytwokindsofpersonscoulddoit，’’repliedCyrilla——``adullperson——aplodder——andagenius。
Middlingpeople——they’rethekindthatfilltheworld，they’reyouandI，mydear——middlingpeoplehavetofusswiththetriflesthatmustbesacrificedifoneistodoanythingbig。Youcallthosetriflesyourfreedom，butthey’reyourslavery。AndbysacrificingthemtheLuciaRivisbuytheirfreedom。’’Cyrillalookedatthepaperwithaheavysigh。``Ah，IwishIhadseenthiswhenIwasyourage。Now，it’stoolate。’’
SaidMildred：``Wouldyouseriouslyadvisemetotrythat？’’
Cyrillacameandsatbesideherandputanarmaroundher。``Mildred，’’shesaid，``I’veneverthrustadviceonyou。Ionlydaredoitnowbecauseyouaskme，andbecauseIloveyou。Youmusttryit。It’syouronechance。Ifyoudonot，youwillfail。Youdon’tbelieveme？’’
Inatonethatwasadmission，Mildredsaid：``I
don’tknow。’’
``Keithhasgivenyoutherethesecretofasuccessfulcareer。You’llneverreaditinanybook，orgetitfromanyteacher，orfromanysingerormanagerordoctor。Youmustlivelikethat，youmustdothosethingsoryouwillfaileveninmusicalcomedy。Youwouldfailevenasanactress，ifyoutriedthat，whenyoufoundoutthatthesingingwasoutofthequestion。’’
Mildredwasimpressed。PerhapsshewouldhavebeenmoreimpressedhadshenotseenKeithandMrs。
Brindleyinthetaxi，KeithtalkingearnestlyandMrs。
Brindleylisteningasiftoanoracle。Saidshe：
``PerhapsI’lladoptsomeofthesuggestions。’’
Cyrillashookherhead。``It’saroutetosuccess。
Youmustgothewholerouteornotatall。’’
``Don’tforgetthattherehavebeenothersingersbesidesRivi。’’
``NotanythatIrecallwhoweren’tnaturallypowerfulineveryway。Andhowmanyofthembreakdown？
Mildred，pleasedoputthesillynonsenseaboutnervesandtemperamentandinspirationandoverworkandweatherandclimate——putallthatoutofyourhead。
Buildyourtempleofacareerashighandgracefulanddelicateasyoulike，butbuilditonthecoarse，hard，solidrock，dear！’’
Mildredtriedtolaughlightly。``HowMr。Keithdoeshypnotizepeople！’’criedshe。
Mrs。Brindley’scheeksburned，andhereyesloweredinacuteembarrassment。``Hehasawayofbeingsplendidlyandsensiblyright，’’saidshe。``Andthetruthiswonderfullyconvincing——onceoneseesit。’’
Shechangedthesubject，anditdidnotcomeup——or，perhaps，comeOUTagain——beforetheywenttobed。
ThenextdayMildredbeganthedepressing，hopelesssearchforaplacetolivethatwouldbeclean，comfortable，andcheap。Thosethreeadjectivesdescribetheideallodging。butitwillbenotedthatallthesearerelative。Infact，noneofthethreemeansexactlythesamethingtoanytwomembersofthehumanfamily。
Mildred’snotionofclean——likehernotionofcomfortable——onaccountofherbringingupimpliedalargeelementofluxury。Asfortheword``cheap，’’itreallymeantnothingatalltoher。Fromonestand-
pointeverythingseemedcheap。fromanother，everythingseemeddear。thatis，toodearforayoungwomanwithlessthanfivehundreddollarsintheworldandnosubstantialprospectofgettingasingledollarmore——
unlessbyhookandcrook，bothofwhichmeansshewasresolvednottoemploy。
Neverhavingearnedsomuchasasinglepenny，theideaofanyone’sgivingheranythingforwhatshemightbeabletodowasdisturbinglyvagueandunreal。
Ontheotherhand，lookingabouther，shesawscoresofmenandwomen，personallyknowntohertobedullofconversation，andnotwellmanneredorwelldressedorwellanything，whoweremakinglivingswithoutoverwhelmingdifficulty。WhynotMildredGower？Inthisviewtheoutlookwasnotdiscouraging。``I’llnodoubtgothroughsomediscomfort，gettingmyselfplaced。ButsomewhereandsomehowIshallbeplaced——andhowIshallrevengemyselfonDonaldKeith！’’
Hisfascinationforherhadnotbeendestroyedbyhishumiliatinglackofbeliefinher，norbyhiscold-hearteddesertionatjustthecriticalmoment。Buthisconducthadgivenhertheincentiveofrage，ofstungvanity——
orwoundedpride，ifyouprefer。Shewouldgethimback。shewouldforcehimtoadmit。shewouldwinhim，ifshecould——andthatoughtnottobedifficultwhensheshouldbesuccessful。Havingwonhim，then——
Whatthen？Somethingsuperbinthewayofrevenge。
shewoulddecidewhat，whenthehouroftriumphcame。
Meanwhileshemustsearchforlodgings。
Inherjourneyingsundertheguidanceofattractiveadvertisementsand``carefullyselected’’agents’lists，shefoundherselfinfrontofherfirstlodgingsinNewYork——thehouseofMrs。Belloc。ShehadoftenthoughtoftheNewEnglandschool-teacher，arrivedbysuchstrangepathsatsuchastrangepositioninNewYork。Shehadstartedtocallonhermanytimes，buteachtimehadbeenturnedaside。NewYorkmakesitmorethandifficulttofindtimetodoanythingthatdoesnothavetobedoneatadefinitetimeandforadefinitereason。Shewaswornoutwithherfutiletrampingsupanddownstreets，upanddownstairs。Upthestonestepsshewentandrangthebell。
Yes，Mrs。Bellocwasin，andwouldbegladtoseeher，ifMissStevenswouldwaitinthedrawing-roomafewminutes。Shehadnotseatedherselfwhendownthestairscamethefresh，pleasantlycountrifiedvoiceofMrs。Belloc，invitinghertoascend。AsMildredstartedup，shesawattheheadofthestairsthefrankandcheerfulfaceoftheladyherself。Shewasholdingtogetherattheneckathinsilkwrapperwhoselinesstronglysuggestedthatitwastheonlygarmentshehadon。
``Whyshouldoldfriendsstandonceremony？’’saidMrs。Belloc。``Comerightup。I’vebeentakingabath。Mymasseusehasjustgone。’’Mrs。Bellocenclosedherinadelightfullyperfumedembrace，andtheykissedwithenthusiasm。
``IAMgladtoseeyou，’’saidMildred，feelingallatonceathrillingsenseofat-homeness。``Ididn’trealizehowgladI’dbetillIsawyou。’’
``It’dbeaprettystiffsortthatwouldn’tfeelathomewithme，’’observedMrs。Belloc。``NewYorkusuallystiffenspeopleup。It’shadtheoppositeeffectonme。
ThoughImustsay，IhavelearnedtostiffenwithpeopleIdon’tlike——andI’llhavetoadmitthatIlikefewerandfewer。Peopledon’twearwell，dothey？WhatIS
thematterwiththem？Whycan’ttheybenaturalandnotmakethemselvesintorubbishy，oldscrap-bagsfulloffakesandpretenses？You’relookingatmyhair。’’
TheywereinMrs。Belloc’scomfortablesitting-roomnow，andshewassmokingacigaretteandregardingMildredwithanexpressionofdelightthatwasmostflattering。SaidMildred：
``Yourhairdoeslookwell。It’sthicker——isn’tit？’’
``Thinkso？’’saidMrs。Belloc。``Itoughttobe，withallthetimeandmoneyI’vespentonit。My，howNewYorkdoessetawomantorepairingandfixingup。
Nothingartificialgoeshere。Itmustn’tbepaintandplumpersandpads，buttherealteeth。Why，I’vehadfourrealteethsetinasiftheywererooted——andmyhipstoneddown。YoumayrememberwhatheavylegsIhad——piano-legs。Lookat’emnow。’’Mrs。Bellocdrewthewrappertoherkneeandexposedinapale-
bluesilkstockingathinandcomelycalf。
``YouHAVEbeenbusy！’’saidMildred。
``That’sonlyalittlepart。Istartedtotellyouaboutthehair。Itwasgettinggray——notinanice，prettyway，allover，butinspotsandstreaks。Nothingelsemakesawomanlooksoraggedanddingyandoldasspotted，streakygrayhair。SoIhadthehair-womantouchitup。Shevowsitwon’tmakemyfacehard。
That’sthetroublewithdyedortouchedhair，youknow。
Butthisisanewprocess。’’
``It’scertainlyasuccess，’’saidMildred。Andinfactitwas，andthankstoitandtheotherimprovementsMrs。
Bellocwasanattractiveandevenaprettywoman，yearsyoungerthanwhenMildredsawher。
``Yes，IthinkI’veimproved，’’saidMrs。Belloc。
``Nothingtoscreamabout——butworthwhile。That’swhatwe’realivefor——toimprove——isn’tit？I’venopatiencewithpeoplewhoslideback，ordon’tgeton——
peoplewhogetlessandlessastheygrowolder。Thetroublewiththemisthey’revain，satisfiedwiththemselvesastheyare，andlazy。Mostwomenaretoolazytolive。They’llonlyfixuptocatchaman。’’
Mildredhadgrownsoberandthoughtful。
``Tocatchaman，’’continuedMrs。Belloc。``Andnotmuchevenforthat。I’llwarrantYOU’REgettingon。
Tellmeaboutit。’’
``Tellmeaboutyourself，first，’’saidMildred。
``WHYallthisexcitementaboutimproving？’’
Andshesmiledsignificantly。
``No，you’llhavetoguessagain，’’saidMrs。Belloc。
``Notaman。Youremember，IusedtobecrazyaboutgaylifeinNewYork——goingout，andmen，theaters，andlobster-palaces——everythingIdidn’tgetinmyhometown，everythingthecitymeanstothejays。
Well，I’vegottenoverallthat。I’mimproving，mindandbody，justtokeepmyselfinterestedinlife，tokeepmyselfyoungandcheerful。I’minterestedinmyself，inmyhouseandinwoman’ssuffrage。Notthatthewomenarefittovote。Theyaren’t，anymorethanthemen。ButwhatMAKESpeople？Why，responsibility。
ThatoldscampImarried——he’sdead。AndI’vegotthemoney，andeverything’sverycomfortablewithme。
Justthink，Ididn’thaveanylucktillIwasanoldmaidfargone。I’mnottellingmyage。Allmylifeithadrainedbadluck——pitchforks，tinesdown。Andwhy？’’
``Yes，why？’’saidMildred。Shedidnotunderstandhowitwas，butMrs。Bellocseemedtobesayingtheexactthingssheneededtohear。
``I’lltellyouwhy。BecauseIdidn’twork。Drudgingalongisn’tworkanymorethandawdlingalong。
Workmeanspurpose，meanshead。Andmyluckbeganjustasanybody’sdoes——whenIroseupandgotbusy。Youmaysayitwasn’tverycreditable，thewayIbegan。butitwasthebest_I_coulddo。Iknowitisn’tgoodmorals，butI’mwillingtobetthatmanyamanhaslaidthefoundationsofabigfinecareerbydoingsomethingthatwasn’tatallniceorright。Hehadtodoit，to`getthrough。’Ifhehadn’tdoneit，he’dneverhave`gotthrough。’Anyhow，whetherthat’ssoornot，everyone’sgottomakeafighttobreakintothepartoftheworldwhereliving’sreallyworthliving。ButI
needn’ttellYOUthat。You’redoingit。’’
``No，I’mnot，’’repliedMildred。``I’mashamedtosayso，butI’mnot。I’vebeenbluffing——andwastingtime。’’
``That’sbad，that’sbad，’’saidMrs。Belloc。
``Especially，asyou’vegotitinyoutogetthere。What’sbeenthetrouble？Thewrongkindofassociations？’’
``Partly，’’saidMildred。
Mrs。Belloc，watchingherinterestedly，suddenlylightedup。``Whynotcomebackheretolive？’’saidshe。``Now，pleasedon’trefusetillIexplain。YourememberwhatkindofpeopleIhadhere？’’
Mildredsmiled。``Rather——unconventional？’’
``That’spolite。Well，I’vecleared’emout。NotthatImindedtheirunconventionality。Ilikedit。Itwassodifferentfromthestraight-jacketsandthehypocrisyI’dbeenlivingamongandhating。ButIsoonfoundoutthat——well，MissStevens，theaveragehumanbeingoughttobeprettyconventionalinhismoralsofacertainkind。Ifhe——orSHE——isn’t，theybegintogetunconventionalineveryway——aboutpayingtheirbills，forinstance，andaboutdrinking。Igotsickandtiredofthosepeople。So，Iput’emallout——madeasweep。AndnowI’vebecomequiteasrespectableasIcaretobe——orasisnecessary。Thecouplesinthehousearemarried，andthey’renicepeopleofgoodfamilies。ItwasMrs。Dyckman——she’sgotthewholesec-
ondfloorfront，sheandherhusbandandthedaughter——itwasMrs。Dyckmanwhointerestedmeinthesuffragemovement。Youmusthearherspeak。Andthedaughterdoeswellatit，too——andkeepsafashionablemillinery-shop——andshe’sonlytwenty-four。Thenthere’sNoraBlond。’’
``Theactress？’’
``Theactress。She’sthequietest，hardest-workingpersonhere。She’sgotthewholefirstfloorfront。
Nobodyevercomestoseeher，exceptonSundayafternoon。
Sheleadsthequeerestlife。’’
``Tellmeaboutthat，’’saidMildred。
``Idon’tknowmuchaboutit，’’confessedMrs。
Belloc。``She’sregularasaclock——doeseverythingontime，andatthesametime。Twomealsaday——oneofthemadrylittlebreakfastshegetsherself。Walks，fencing，athletics，study。’’
``Whatslavery！’’
``She’sthehappiestpersonIeversaw，’’retortedMrs。
Belloc。``Why，she’sgotherwork，hercareer。Youdon’tlookatitright，MissStevens。Youdon’tlookhappy。What’sthematter？Isn’titbecauseyouhaven’tbeenworkingright——becauseyou’vebeendoingtheseallegedpleasantthingsthatleaveabadtasteinyourmouthandweakenyou？I’llbet，ifyouhadbeenworkinghard，you’dnotbeunhappynow。Bettercomeheretolive。’’
``Willyouletmetellyouaboutmyself？’’
``Gorightahead。MayIaskquestions，whereI
wanttoknowmore？Idohatetogetthingshalfway。’’
Mildredfreelygaveherleave，thenproceededtotellherwholestory，omittingnothingthatwasessentialtoanunderstanding。Inconclusionshesaid：``I’dliketocome。Yousee，I’veverylittlemoney。Whenit’sgone，I’llgo，unlessImakesomemore。’’
``Yes，youmustcome。ThatMrs。Brindleyseemstobeanicewoman，amightynicewoman。Butherhouse，andthepeoplethatcomethere——theyaren’ttherightsortforagirlthat’smakingastart。Icangiveyouaroomonthetopfloor——infront。Theyoungladynexttoyouisaclerkinanarchitect’soffice，andafinegirlsheis。’’
``Howmuchdoesshepay？’’saidMildred。
``Yourroomwon’tbequiteasniceashers。Iputyouatthetopbecauseyoucansingupthere，partofthemorningsandpartoftheafternoons，withoutdisturbinganybody。Idon’thaveageneraltableanymore。Youcantakeyourmealsinyourroomorattherestaurantintheapartment-housenextdoor。It’sgoodandquitereasonable。’’
``Howmuchfortheroom？’’persistedMildred，laughing。
``Sevendollarsaweek，andtheuseofthebath。’’
Mildredfinallywrungfromherthattherightpricewastwelvedollarsaweek，andinsistedonpayingthat——``untilmymoneygetslow。’’
``Don’tworryaboutthat，’’saidMrs。Belloc。
``Youmustn’tweakenme，’’criedMildred。``Youmustn’tencouragemetobeacowardandtoshirk。
That’swhyI’mcominghere。’’
``Iunderstand，’’saidMrs。Belloc。``I’vegottheNewEnglandstreakofhardnessinme，thoughI
believethatmasseusehasalmostironeditoutofmyface。
DoIlooklikeaNewEnglandschoolmarm？’’
Mildredcouldtruthfullyanswerthattherewasn’tatraceofit。
WhenshereturnedtoMrs。Brindley’s——alreadyshehadceasedtothinkofitashome——sheannouncedhernewplans。Mrs。Brindleysaidnothing，butMildredunderstoodthequicktighteningofthelinesroundhermouthandtheshiftingoftheeyes。ShehastenedtoexplainthatMrs。Bellocwasnolongerthesortofwomanorthesortoflandladyshehadbeenafewmonthsbefore。Mrs。BrindleyoftheolderNewYork，couldneitherunderstandnorbelieveinthepeopleofthenewandrealNewYorkwhomitmoldsforbetterorforworsesorapidly——andevenremoldsagainandagain。ButMildredwasabletosatisfyherthatthehousewasatleastnotsuspicious。
``Itdoesn’tmatterwhereyou’regoing，’’saidMrs。
Brindley。``It’sthatyouaregoing。Ican’tbeargivingyouup。Ihadhopedthatourliveswouldflowonandontogether。’’Shewaswithdifficultycontrollingheremotions。``It’stheseseparationsthatageone，thattakeone’slife。IalmostwishIhadn’tmetyou。’’
Mildredwasmoved，herself。NotsomuchasMrs。
Brindleybecauseshehadthenecessitiesofhercareergrippingherandclaimingthestrongestfeelingstherewereinher。Also，shewasmuchtheyounger，notmerelyinyearsbutinexperience。Andseparationshavenorealpoignancyinthemforyouth``Yes，Iknowyouloveme，’’saidCyrilla，``butlovedoesn’tmeantoyouwhatitmeanstome。I’minthatmiddleperiodoflifewhereeverythinghasitsfullestmeaning。Inyouthwe’reeasilyconsoledanddistractedbecauselifeseemssofullofpossibilities，andwecan’tbelievefriendshipandlovearerare，andstillmorerarelyworthwhile。Inoldage，whenthearterieshardenandthebloodflowsslowandcold，webecomeindifferent。
Butbetweenthirty-fiveandfifty-fivehowtheheartcanache！’’Shesmiled，withtremblinglips。``Andhowitcanrejoice！’’shecriedbravely。``Imustnotforgettomentionthat。Ah，mydear，youmustlearntoliveintensely。IfIhadhadyourchance！’’
``Ridiculous！’’laughedMildred。``Youtalklikeanoldwoman。AndIneverthinkofyouasolderthanmyself。’’
``IAManoldwoman，’’saidCyrilla。And，withatighteningattheheartMildredsaw，deepinthedepthsofhereyes，thelookofoldage。``I’vefoundthatI’mtoooldforlove——forman-and-womanlove——andthatmeansI’manoldwoman。’’
Mildredfeltthattherewasonlyathinbarrierofreservebetweenherandsomesadsecretofthisstrange，shy，lovingwoman’s——abarriersothinthatshecouldalmosthearthestifledmoanofabrokenheart。Butthebarrierremained。itwouldhavebeenimpossibleforCyrillaBrindleytotalkfranklyaboutherself。
WhenMildredcameoutofherroomthenextmorning，Cyrillahadgone，leavinganote：
Ican’tbeargood-bys。Besides，we’llseeeachotherverysoon。Forgivemeforshrinking，butreallyIcan’t。
BeforenightMildredwassettledinthenewplaceandthenewroom，withnosenseofstrangeness。Shewasreproachingherselfforhardness，fornotcaringaboutCyrilla，thebestandtruestfriendshehadeverhad。
Butthetruthlayinquiteadifferentdirection。Thehouse，thesurroundings，whereshehadlivedluxuriously，dreamingherfoolishandfatuousdreams，wasnottheplaceforsuchastruggleaswasnowuponher。
Andforthatstruggleshepreferred，tosensitive，sober，refined，impracticalCyrillaBrindley，thecompanionshipandthesympathy，thepracticalsympathy，ofAgnesBelloc。NooneneedbeashamedornervousbeforeAgnesBellocaboutbeingpoororunsuccessfulorhavingtoresorttoshabbymakeshiftsorhavingtoendurecoarsecontacts。Cyrillarepresentedrefinement，appreciationofthefinishedwork——luxuriousandsterileappreciationandenjoyment。Agnesrepresentedtheworkshop——whereallthedoersofallthatisdoneliveandwork。Mildredwasdescendingfromtheheightswherelivethosewhohavegraduatedfromthelotofthehumanraceandhavelostallthatsuperficialorcasualresemblancetothatrace。Shewasgoingdowntolivewiththerace，toshareinitslot。ShewasgladAgnesBellocwastobethere。
Generalizingaboutsuchahaphazardconglomerateashumannatureishighlyunsatisfactory，butitmaybecautiouslyventuredthatinNewEngland，asinoldEngland，thereisacuriouslycontradictorywayofdealingwithconventionality。Nowhereisconventionalitymoreinreverence。yetwhenaNew-Englander，manorwoman，happenstoelecttobreakwithit，nowhereisthebreaksoutterandsodefiant。IfAgnesBelloc，cutloosefromtheconventionsthathadboundherfromchildhoodtowellintomiddlelife，hadremainedathome，nodoubtshewouldhavespentalargepartofhernightsinthinkingoutwaysofemployingherdaysinoutragingtheconventionalitiesbeforeherhorrifiedandinfuriatedneighbors。ButofwhatuseinNewYorktocuffandspitupondeitiesreveredbyonlyaninsignificantclass——andonlyofficiallyreveredbythatclass？
AgneshadsoonseenthattherewasnoamusementorinterestwhateverinanenterprisewhichinherNewEnglandhomewouldhavefilledherlifetothebrimwithexcitement。Also，shesawthatshewaswellintothattimeoflifewheretheabsenceofreputationinawomanendangershercomfort，makesherliabletobeleftalone——notdespisedanddenounced，butsimplyavoidedandignored。SoshewastellingMildredtheexacttruth。
Shehadlaiddownthearmsshehadtakenupagainstthesocialsystem，andhadcomein——andwasfightingitfromthesaferandwiserinside。Shestillinsistedthatawomanhadthesamerightsasaman。butshetookcaretomakeitclearthatsheclaimedthoserightsonlyforothers，thatsheneitherexercisedthemnorcaredforthemforherself。Andtomakeherpropagandathemoreeffective，shewasnotonlycircumspectherself，butwasexceedinglycarefultobesurroundedbycircumspectpeople。Noonecouldcitehercaseasproofthatwomanwouldexpandlibertyintolicense。Intheorytherewasnothinglivelythatshedidnotlookuponatleastwithtolerance。inpractice，moreandmoreshedislikedseeingoneofhersexdoanythingthatmightcausetheworldtosay``womanwouldabuselibertyifshehadit。’’``Sensiblepeople，’’shenowsaid，``doastheylike。Buttheydon’tgivefoolsachancetotitterandchatter。’’
AgnesBellocwastypical——certainlyofalargeandgrowingclassinthisday——ofthedecayofancienttemplesandthedeclineoftheold-fashionedidealismthatmademenfancytheylivednoblybecausetheyprofessedandbelievednobly。Shehadnoethicalstandards。Shesimplymeteachsituationasitaroseanddealtwithitascommonsenseseemedinthatparticularinstancetodictate。Forathousandyearsgeniushasbeenstrivingwiththehumanracetoinduceittoabandonitssuperstitionsandhypocrisiesandtodefycommonsense，soadaptable，sotolerant，soconducivetolongandhealthyandhappylife。Grosslymaterialistic，butalluringlycomfortable。Whetherforgoodorforevilorforbothgoodandevil，thegeniusesseeminafairwayatlasttoprevailovertheidealists，religiousandpolitical。
AndMrs。Belloc，withoutintheleastrealizingit，wasamostsignificantsignofthetimes。
``Yourthroatseemstobebetterto-day，’’saidshetoMildredatbreakfast。``Thosesimplehouse-remediesItriedonyoulastnightseemtohavedonesomegood。
Nothinglikeheat——hotwater——andnoeating。Themainthingwasdoingwithoutdinnerlastnight。’’
``Mynervesarequieter，’’advancedMildredasthelikelierexplanationofthereturnofthesoulofmusictoitsseat。``Andmymind’satrest。’’
``Yes，that’sgood，’’saidplainAgnesBelloc。``Butgettingthestomachstraightandkeepingitstraight’sthemainthing。Myoldgrandmothercouldeatanythinganddoanything。I’veseenherputinaglassofmilkorasaucerofice-creamontopofatomato-salad。
Thewayshekeptwellwas，whenevershebegantofeeltheleastbitoff，shestoppedeating。Notabitewouldshetouchtillshefeltwellagain。’’
Mildred，movedbyanimpulsestrongerthanherinclination，producedtheKeithpaper。``Iwishyou’dreadthis，andtellmewhatyouthinkofit。You’vegotsomuchcommonsense。’’
Agnesreaditthroughtotheend，beganatthebeginningandreaditthroughagain。``Thatsoundsgoodtome，’’saidshe。``Iwanttothinkitover。Ifyoudon’tmindI’dliketoshowittoMissBlond。Sheknowsalotaboutthosethings。Isupposeyou’regoingtoseeMr。Crossleyto-day？——that’sthemusicalmanager’sname，isn’tit？’’
``I’mgoingateleven。Thatisn’ttooearly，isit？’’
``IfIwereyou，I’dgoassoonasIwasdressedforthestreet。Andifyoudon’tgettoseehim，waittillyoudo。Don’ttalktounder-staffers。Alwaysgostraightfortheheadman。You’vegotsomethingthat’sworthhiswhile。Howdidhegettobeheadman？
Becauseheknowsagoodthingtheminuteheseesit。Theunderfellowsareusuallyunderbecausetheyaresotakenupwiththemselvesandwithimpressingpeoplehowgrandtheyarethattheydon’tseeanythingelse。
So，whenyoutalktothem，youwearyourselfoutandwasteyourtime。’’
``There’sonlyonethingthatmakesmenervous，’’
saidMildred。``EveryoneI’veevertalkedwithaboutgoingonthestage——everyonewhohastalkedcandidly——hassaid——’’
``Yes，Iknow，’’saidMrs。Belloc，asMildredpausedtosearchforsmooth-soundingwordsinwhichtodress，withoutdisguising，adistinctlyuglyidea。``I’veheardthat，too。Idon’tknowwhetherthere’sanythinginitornot。’’ShelookedadmiringlyatMildred，whothatmorningwascertainlylovelyenoughtotemptanyman。
``Ifthereisanythinginit，why，IreckonYOU’Dbeupagainstit。That’stheworstofhavingmenatthetopinanytradeandprofession。Awoman’sgottogetherchancethroughsomeman，andifhedon’tchoosetoletherhaveit，she’slikelytofail。’’
Mildredshowedhowthisdepressedher。
``Butdon’tyoufretaboutthattillyouhaveto，’’
advisedMrs。Belloc。``I’veanotionthat，evenifit’strue，itmaynotapplytoyou。Whereawomanoffersforaplacethatshecanfillaboutaswellasahundredotherwomen，she’sattheman’smercy。butifsheknowsthatshe’sfarandawaythebestfortheplace，Idon’tthinkaman’sgoingtostandinhisownlight。LethimseethathecanmakemoneythroughYOU，moneyhewon’tmakeifhedon’tgetyou。Then，Idon’tthinkyou’llhaveanytrouble。’’
ButMildred’sdepressiondidnotdecrease。``Ifmyvoicecouldonlybereliedon！’’sheexclaimed。``Isn’titexasperatingthatI’vegotadelicatethroat！’’
``It’salwayssomething，’’saidMrs。Belloc。``Onething’saboutasbadasanother，andanythingcanbeovercome。’’
``No，notinmycase，’’saidMildred。``Thepeculiarqualityofmyvoice——whatmakesitunusual——isduetothedelicatenessofmythroat。’’
``Maybeso，’’saidMrs。Belloc。
``Ofcourse，Icanalwayssing——afterafashion，’’
continuedMildred。``Buttobereallyvaluableonthestageyou’vegottobeablealwaystosingatyourbest。
SoI’mafraidI’mintheclassofthosewho’llsuit，oneaboutaswellasanother。’’
``You’vegottogetoutofthatclass，’’saidMrs。
Belloc。``Themeninthatclass，andthewomen，havetodoanydirtyworkthebossseesfittogive’em——andnotmuchpay，either。Letmetellyouonething，MissStevens。Ifyoucan’tgetamongthefewatthetopinthesinginggame，youmustlookroundforsomegamewhereyoucanhopetobeamongthefew。NomatterWHATitis。Byusingyourbrainsandworkinghard，there’ssomethingyoucandobetterthanprettynearlyanybodyelsecanorwilldoit。Youfindthat。’’
Thewordssankin，sankdeep。Mildred，senseofhersurroundingslost，wasgazingstraightaheadwithanexpressionthatgaveMrs。Bellochopeandevenacertainamountofconfidence。Therewasadistinctadvance。for，aftershereflecteduponallthatMildredhadtoldher，littleofherformeropinionofMildred’schancesforsuccesshadremainedbutahopedetainednotwithoutdifficulty。Mrs。Bellocknewthehumanraceunusuallywellforawoman——unusuallywellforahumanbeingofwhateversexorexperience。Shehaddiscoveredhowrareisthetemperament，thecombinationofintelligenceandtenacity，thatmakesforsuccess。
Shehadlearnedthatmostpeople，judgedbyanystand-
ard，werealmosttotalfailures，thatmostofthemoreorlesssuccessfulweresomerelybecausetheworldhadanenormousamountofimportantworktobedone，eventhoughhalf-way，andhadnoonebutthosehalf-
competentstodoit。Asincompetenceinamanwouldbetoleratedwhereitwouldnotbeinawoman，obviouslyawoman，togeton，musthavetherealtemperamentofsuccess。
ShenowknewenoughaboutMildredtobeableto``place’’herinthe``lady’’class——thosebroughtupnotonlyknowinghowtodonothingwithamoneyvalue(exceptlawfulorunlawfulman-trapping)，butalsotrainedtoasensitivenessandrefinementandfalseshameaboutworkthatmadeitexceedinglydifficultifnotimpossibleforthemtolearnusefulness。SheknewallMildred’shandicaps，boththosethegirlwasconsciousofandthosefarheavieroneswhichshefatuouslyregardedasadvantages。HowwasMildredevertolearntodismissanddisregardherselfastheprettywomanofgoodsocialposition，anobjectofadmirationandconsideration？Mildred，inthebottomofherheart，wasregardingherselfasalreadysuccessful——successfulatthehighestawomancanachieveoroughttoaspiretoachieve——wasregardinghercareer，howevershemighttalkormightfancyshebelieved，asamerelivelihood，asideissue。Shewouldbeperhapsmorethanalittleashamedofherstageconnections，shouldshemakeany，untilsheshouldbeattheverytop——
andhowgettothetopwhenoneisworkingunderthehandicapofshame？Aboveall，howwasthisindulgentlyandshelteredlyrearedladytobecomeawork-
ingwoman，livingaroutinelife，toilingawaydayinanddayout，withnoletup，permittingnooneandnothingtobreakherroutine？``Really，’’thoughtAgnesBelloc，``sheoughttohavemarriedthatBairdman——orstayedonwiththenastygeneral。Iwonderwhyshedidn’t！That’stheonlythingthatgivesmehope。Theremustbesomethinginher——somethingthatdon’tappear——somethingshedoesn’tknowabout，herself。Whatisit？Maybeitwasonlyvanityandvacillation。Again，Idon’tknow。’’
ThedifficultyMrs。BelloclaboredunderinherattempttoexploreandmapMildredGowerwasadifficultywealllaborunderinthosesameenterprises。Wecannotconvinceourselves——inspiteofexperienceafterexperience——thatahumancharacterisneverconsistentandhomogeneous，isalwaysconglomerate，thattherearenotwotraits，howevernaturallyexclusive，whichcannotcoexistinthesamepersonality，thatcircumstanceisthedominatingfactorinhumanactionandbringsforwardasdominantcharacteristicsnowonetraitorsetoftraits，consistentorinconsistent，andnowanother。TheAlexanderwhowasAristotle’smodelpupilwasthesameAlexanderasthedrunkendebaucher。
Indeed，mayitnotbethatthecharacterswhichplaythelargepartsinthecomedyoflifearenaturallythosethatoffertotheshiftingwindsofcircumstancesthegreatestvarietyofstronglydevelopedandcontradictoryqualities？Forexample，ifitwasMildred’slatentcouragerescuedherfromSiddall，wasitnotherstrongtendencytovacillationthatsavedherfromalovelessandmercenarymarriagetoStanleyBaird？Perhapsthedeepunderlyingtruthisthatallunusualpeoplehaveincommonthecharacterthatcentersapowerfulaversiontostagnation。thus，nowbytheirstrongqualities，nowbytheirweaknesses，theyaresweptinevitablyonandonandeveron。Goodto-day，badto-morrow，goodagainthedayafter，weakinthisinstance，stronginthat，nowbraveandnowcowardly，softatonetime，hardatanother，generousandthereversebyturns，theyareconsistentonlyinthattheyareneveratrest，butincessantlyandinevitablygo。
Mildredreluctantlyrose，movedtowardthedoorwithlingeringstep。``IguessI’dbettermakeastart，’’
saidshe。
``That’sthetalk，’’saidMrs。Bellocheartily。Buttheaffectionateglanceshesentafterthegirlwasdubious——
evenpitying。
IX
TWOminutes’walkthroughtoBroadway，andshewasatherdestination。There，ontheothersideoftheway，stoodtheGayetyTheater，withtheofficesofMr。
ClarenceCrossleyoverlookingtheintersectionofthetwostreets。Crossleywasintrenchedintheremotestofaseriesofrooms，eachtenantedbyunder-staffersofdiminishingimportanceasyoudrewwayfromthegreatman。Itwasnexttoimpossibletogetathim——
acauseofmuchsneeringanddissatisfactionintheatricalcircles。Crossley，theysaid，wasexclusive，hadtheswollenhead，hadforgottenthatonlyafewyearsbeforehehadbeenacheaplittleticket-sellergratefulforabowfromanyactorwhohadeverhadhisnameup。Crossleyinsistedthathewasnotavictimoffoliedegrandeur，that，onthecontrary，hehadbecomelessvainashehadrisen，wherehecouldseehowtrivialathingrisingwasandhowaccidental。Saidhe：
``WhydoIshutmyselfin？BecauseI’mwhatIam——agoodthing，easyfruit。YousaythatmenahundredtimesbiggerthanI’lleverbedon’tshutthemselvesup。YousaythatMountain，thebiggestfinancierinthecountry，sitsrightoutwhereanybodycangouptohim。Yes，butwho’ddaregouptohim？It’sgenerallyknownthathe’sacannibal，thathekillshisownfoodandeatsitwarmandraw。Sohecanaffordtositintheopen。IfIdidthat，allmytimeandallmymoneywouldgotothecheap-skateswithhard-lucktales。Idon’thidebecauseI’mhaughty，butbecauseI’mweakandsoft。’’
InappearanceMr。Crossleydidnotsuggesthisname。
Hewasatallish，powerful-lookingpersonwithasmooth，handsome，audaciousface，withfine，laughing，butsomehowuntrustworthyeyes——atleastuntrustworthyforwomen，thoughwomenhadneverprofitedbythewarning。Hedressedinexcellenttaste，almostconspicuously，andthegayandexpensivedetailsofhistoiletsuggestedamangivenovertoliveliness。Asamatteroffact，thislivelinesswaspotentialratherthanactual。Mr。Crossleywasalwaysintendingtoresumethegiddywaysoftheyearsbeforehebecameagreatman，butwasalwayssofarbehindintheimportantthingstobedoneanddoneatoncethathewasforcedtoputoff。However，hisnecktiesandhisshirtsandhisflirtations，untrustworthyeyeskepthimareputationforbeingoneoftheworstcasesinBroadway。Invaindidhisachievementsshowthathecouldnotpossiblyhavetimeorstrengthforanythingbutwork。Helookedlikearounder。hewasinabusinessthatgaveendlessdazzlingopportunitiesforthelivelylife。arounderhewas，therefore。
Hewasaboutforty。Atfirstglance，sovividandenergeticwashe，helookedlikethirty-five，butatsecondglanceonesawthelines，theunderlyingmelancholysignsofstrain，theheavypricehehadpaidforphenomenalsuccesswonbyaseriesofthesortofrisksthatmakethehairfallasautumnleavesonawindydayandmakesuchhairsasstickturnrapidlygray。Thus，thereweremanywhothoughtCrossleywasthroughvanityshyofthetruthbyfiveorsixyearswhenhesaidforty。
InordinarycircumstancesMildredwouldneverhavegotatCrossley。Thiswasthefirstbusinesscallofherlifewhereshehadcomeasanunknownandunsupportedsuitor。HerreceptionwouldhavebeensuchatthehandsofCrossley’sinsolentandill-manneredunderlingsthatshewouldhavefledinshameandconfusion。
Itisevenwellwithinthepossibilitiesthatshewouldhavegivenupallideaofacareer，wouldhavesentforBaird，andsoon。Andnotoneofthosewho，timidandinexperienced，havesufferedruderebuffattheirfirstadvance，wouldhavecondemnedher。Butitsochanced——whetherbygoodfortuneorbyilltheeventwastotell——thatshedidnothavetofaceasingleunderling。
Thehalldoorwasopen。Sheentered。Ithappenedthatwhileshewascomingupintheelevatoraquarrelbetweenamotormanandadriverhadheatedintoafight，intoasmallriot。Alltheunderlingshadrushedoutonabalconythatcommandedasuperbviewofthebattle。Theconnectingdoorswereopen。
Mildredadvancedfromroomtoroom，seekingsomeonewhowouldtakehercardtoMr。Crossley。Whensheatlastfacedacloseddoorsheknocked。
``Come！’’criedapleasantvoice。
Andinshewent，tofaceCrossleyhimself——Crossley，the``weakandsoft，’’caughtbehindhislastentrenchmentwithnochancetoescape。HadMildredlookedtheusualsortwhocomelookingforjobsinmusicalcomedy，Mr。Crossleywouldnothaverisen——notbe-
causehewassnobbish，butbecause，beingasensitive，high-strungperson，heinstinctivelyadoptedthemannerthatwouldputthepersonbeforehimatease。HeglancedatMildred，rose，andthrustbackforthwiththeslangy，offhandpersonalitythatwasperhapsthemostnatural——orwasitmerelythemostused？——ofhismanypersonalities。ItwasCrossleythemanoftheworld，themanoftheartisticworld，whodelightedMildredwithacourteousbowandofferofachair，ashesaid：
``Youwishedtoseeme？’’
``IfyouareMr。Crossley，’’saidMildred。
``IshouldbetemptedtosayIwas，ifIwasn’t，’’
saidhe，andhismannermadeitamerepleasantrytoputheratease。
``Therewasnooneintheoutsideroom，soIwalkedonandonuntilyourdoorstoppedme。’’
``You’llneverknowhowluckyyouwere，’’saidhe。
``Theytellmethosefellowsouttherehaveshockingmanners。’’
``Haveyoutimetoseemenow？I’vecometoapplyforapositioninmusicalcomedy。’’
``Youhavenotbeenonthestage，Miss——’’
``Gower。MildredGower。I’vedecidedtousemyownname。’’
``Iknowyouhavenotbeenonthestage。’’
``Exceptasanamateur——andnoteventhatforseveralyears。ButI’vebeenworkingatmyvoice。’’
Crossleywasstudyingher，asshestoodtalking——
shehadrefusedthechair。Hewasmorethanfavorablyimpressed。ButthedecidingelementwasnotMildred’sexcellentfigureorhercharmofmannerorhersweetandlovelyface。Itwassuperstition。JustatthattimeCrossleyhadbeenabruptlydesertedbyEstelleHoward。insteadofgoingonwiththerehearsalsof``TheFullMoon，’’inwhichshewastobestarred，shehadrushedawaytoEuropewithaviolinistwithwhomshehadfalleninloveatthefirstrehearsal。
Crossleywaslookingaboutforsomeonetotakeherplace。Hehadbeenentrenchedinthoseofficesfornearlyfiveyears。inallthattimenotasinglesoulofthedesperatecrowdsthatdoggedhimhadbrokenthroughhisguard。Crossleywasassuperstitiousaswaseveryoneelsewhohastodowiththestage。
``Whatkindofavoice？’’askedhe。
``Lyricsoprano。’’
``Youhavemusicthere。What？’’
```BattiBatti’andalittlesonginEnglish——`TheRoseandtheBee。’’’
Crossleyforgothismanners，turnedhisbacksquarelyuponher，thrusthishandsdeepintohistrouserspockets，andstaredoutthroughthewindow。Hepresentlywheeledround。Shewouldnothavethoughthiseyescouldbesokeen。Saidhe：``Youwerestudyingforgrandopera？’’
``Yes。’’
``Whydoyoudropitandtakeupthis？’’
``Nomoney，’’repliedshe。``I’vegottomakemylivingatonce。’’
``Well，let’ssee。Comewithme，please。’’
Theywentoutbyadoorintothehall，wentbacktotherearofthebuilding，inatanirondoor，downaflightofsteepironskeletonstepsdimlylighted。
Mildredhadoftenbeenbehindthescenesinheramateurtheatricaldays。butevenifshehadnot，shewouldhaveknownwhereshewas。Crossleycalled，``Moldini！
Moldini！’’
Thenamewascaughtupbyothervoicesandrepeatedagainandagain，moreandmoreremotely。A
moment，andasmalldarkmanwithasuperabundanceofgreasydarkhairappeared。``MissGower，’’saidCrossley，``thisisSignorMoldini。Hewillplayyouraccompaniments。’’ThentothelittleItalian，``Pianoonthestage？’’
``Yes，sir。’’
ToMildredwithasmile，``Willyoutry？’’
Shebentherhead。Shehadnovoice——notforsong，notforspeech，notevenforamonosyllable。
CrossleytookMoldiniasidewhereMildredcouldnothear。``Mollie，’’saidhe，``thisgirlcreptuponme，andI’vegottogiveheratrial。Asyousee，she’salady，andyouknowwhattheyare。’’
``Punk，’’saidMoldini。
Crossleynodded。``Sheseemsanicesort，soIwanttoletherdowneasy。I’llsitbackinthehouse，inthedark。Runherthroughthat`BattiBatti’thingshe’sgotwithher。Ifshe’splainlyonthefritz，I’lllightacigarette。IfIdon’tlightup，trytheothersongshehas。IfIstilldon’tlightupmakehergothroughthat`Ah，wereyouhere，love，’fromthepiece。ButifIlightup，itmeansthatI’mgoingtolightout，andthatyou’retogetridofher——tellherwe’llletherknowifshe’llleaveheraddress。Youunderstand？’’
``Perfectly。’’
Farfrombeingthrilledandinspired，hersurroundingsmadehersickatheart——thechill，thedampness，thebarewalls，thedim，drearylights，thecoarsely-
paintedflats——Atlastshewasonthethresholdofherchosenprofession。Whataprofessionforsuchapersonasshehadalwaysbeen！ShestoodbesideMoldini，seatedatthepiano。Shegazedatthedarkness，somewhereinwhosedepthsCrossleywashidden。Afterseveralfalsestartsshesangthe``BattiBatti’’through，sangitatrociously——notlikeapoorprofessional，butlikeapretentiousamateur，areversiontoamannerofsingingshehadoncehad，buthadlongsincegotridof。
Shepausedattheend，appalledbythesilence，bytheawfulnessofherownperformance。
Fromthedarknessaslightclick。Ifshehadknown！——
for，itwasCrossley’smatch-safe。
Thesound，slightyetsoclear，startledher，rousedher。Shecalledout：``Mr。Crossley，won’tyoupleasebepatientenoughtoletmetrythatagain？’’
Abriefhesitation，then：``Certainly。’’
Oncemoreshebegan。Butthistimetherewasnohesitation。FromfirsttolastshediditasJenningshadcoachedher，diditwithallthebeautyandenergyofherreallylovelyvoice。Assheended，Moldinisaidinaquietbutintenseundertone：``Bravo！Bravo！
Freshasabirdonabrightspringmorning。’’Andfromthedarknesscame：``Ah——that’sbetter，MissGower。Thatwasprofessionalwork。Nowfortheother。’’
Thusencouragedandwithhervoicewellwarmed，shecouldnotbutmakeasuccessofthesongthatwasnearertowhatwouldbeexpectedofherinmusicalcomedy。
Crossleycalledout：``Now，thesightsinging，Moldini。
Idon’texpectyoutodothiswell，MissGower。Isimplywishtogetanideaofhowyou’ddoapiecewehaveinrehearsal。’’
``You’llhavenotroublewiththis，’’saidMoldini，asheopenedthecomedysongupontherackwithacontemptuouswhirl。``It’stheeasyshowystuffthatsuitsthetiredbusinessmanandhislaced-inwife。Goatitandyell。’’
Mildredglancedthroughit。Therewasasubtlesomethingintheatmospherenowthatputheratherease。Shereadthewordsaloud，laughingattheirsillysentimentality，sheandMoldiniandCrossleymakingjokesaboutit。Soonshesaid：``I’mready。’’
Shesangitwell。Sheaskedthemtolethertryitagain。Andthesecondtime，withthewordsinhermindandthesimplemelody，shewasabletoputexpressionintoitandtoindicate，withrestraint，theaction。Crossleycamedowntheaisle。
``Whatdoyouthink，Mollie？’’hesaidtoMoldini。
``Wemighttestheratafewrehearsals。’’
Crossleymeeklyacceptedthesalutarycheckonhisenthusiasm。``Doyouwishtotry，MissGower？’’
Mildredwassilent。Sheknewnowthesortofpieceinwhichshewastoappear。Shehadseenafewofthem，thosecheapandvulgarfarceswiththeirthinmusic，theirmorethandubious-lookingpeople。Whatacome-down！Whatadegradation！ItwasasbadinitswayasbeingthewifeofGeneralSiddall。Andshewastodothis，inpreferencetomarryingStanleyBaird。
``Youwillbepaid，ofcourse，duringrehearsal。thatis，aslongaswearetakingyourtime。Fiftydollarsaweekisaboutasmuchaswecanafford。’’Crossleywaswatchinghershrewdly，wasadvancingtheseremarksinresponsetothehesitationhesawsoplainly。
``Ofcourseitisn’tgrandopera，’’hewenton。``Infact，it’sprettylow——almostaslowasthepublictaste。
Yousee，wearen’tsubsidizedbymillionaireswhowantpeopletothinkthey’reartistic，sowehavetohustletoseparatethepublicfromitsmoney。Butifyoumakeahit，youcanearnenoughtoputyouintograndoperainfinestyle。’’
``Ineverheardofanyone’sgraduatingfromhereintograndopera，’’saidMildred。
``Becauseourstarsmakesomuchmoneyandmakeitsoeasily。It’llbeyourownfaultifyoudon’t。’’
``Can’tIcometojustonerehearsal——toseewhetherIcan——candoit？’’pleadedMildred。
Crossley，madethemoreeagerandthemoresuperstitiousbythisunprecedentedreluctance，shookhishead。
``No。Youmustagreetostayaslongaswewantyou，’’saidhe。``Wecan’tallowourselvestobetrifledwith。’’
``Verywell，’’saidMildredresignedly。``Iwillrehearseaslongasyouwantme。’’
``Andwillstayfortherunofthepiece，ifwewantthat？’’saidCrossley。``Youtogetahundredaweekifyouareputinthecast。More，ofcourse，ifyoumakeahit。’’
``YoumeanI’mtosignacontract？’’criedMildredindismay。
``Exactly，’’saidCrossley。Atrulyamazingperformance。Moldiniwasnotastonished，however，forhehadheardthesongs，andheknewCrossley’sdifficultiesthroughEstelleHoward’sflight。Also，heknewCrossley——
neverso``weakandsoft’’thathetrifledwithunlikelycandidatesforhisproductions。Crossleyhadgotupbecauseheknewwhattodoandwhentodoit。
Mildredacquiesced。Beforeshewasfreetogointothestreetagain，shehadsignedapaperthatboundhertorehearseforthreeweeksatfiftydollarsaweekandtostayonatahundreddollarsaweekforfortyweeksortherunof``TheFullMoon，’’ifCrossleysodesired。
ifhedidnot，shewasfreeattheendoftherehearsals。
Ashrewdlyone-sidedcontract。ButCrossleytoldhimselfhewouldcorrectit，ifsheshouldbysomeremotechancebegoodenoughforthepartandshouldmakeahitinit。Thiswasnomeresalvetoconscience，bytheway。Crossleywouldnotbefoolishenoughtogiveasuccessfulstarjustcausefordislikinganddistrustinghimandattheearliestopportunityleavinghimtomakemoneyforsomerivalmanager。
Mrs。Bellochadnotgoneout，hadbeenwaitinginafeverofanxiety。WhenMildredcameintohersitting-
roomwithagloomyfaceanddroppedtoachairasifherlasthopehadabandonedher，itwasallAgnesBelloccoulddotorestrainhertears。Saidshe：
``Don’tbefoolish，mydear。Youcouldn’texpectanythingtocomeofyourfirstattempt。’’
``Thatisn’tit，’’saidMildred。``IthinkI’llgiveitup——dosomethingelse。Grandopera’sbadenough。
TherewerealotofthingsaboutitthatIwasfightingmydistastefor。’’
``Iknow，’’saidAgnes。``Andyou’dbetterfightthemhard。They’reunworthyofyou。’’
``But——musicalcomedy！It’s——frightful！’’
``It’sanhonestwayofmakingaliving，andthat’smorethancanbesaidof——ofsomethings。Isupposeyou’reafraidyou’llhavetoweartights——orsomenonsenselikethat。’’
``No，no。It’sdoingitatall。Suchrottenmusic——andwhataloathsomemess！’’
Mrs。Belloc’seyesflashed。``I’mlosingallpatience！’’shecried。``Iknowyou’vebeenbroughtuplikeafoolandalwayssurroundedbyfools。Isupposeyou’drathersellyourselftosomeman。Doyouknowwhat’sthematterwithyou，atbottom？Why，you’relazyandyou’reacoward。Toolazytowork。Andafraidofwhatalotofcheapwomen’llsay——womenearningtheirboardandclothesinaboutthelowestwaysuchathingcanbedone。Haven’tyougotanyself-
respect？’’
Mildredrose。``Mrs。Belloc，’’shesaidangrily，``I
can’tpermitevenyoutosaysuchthingstome。’’
``Theshoeseemstofit，’’retortedMrs。Belloc。``I
neveryetsawalady，areal，silk-and-diamonds，sit-in-
the-parlorlady，whohadanyself-respect。IfIhadmywaytheywouldn’tgetamouthfultoeattilltheyhadearnedit。That’dbeasurecurefortheladydisease。I’mashamedofyou，MissStevens！Andyou’reashamedofyourself。’’
``Yes，Iam，’’saidMildred，withasuddenchangeofmood。
``Thebestthingyoucandoistoresttilllunch-time。
Thenstartoutafterlunchandhuntajob。I’llgowithyou。’’
``ButI’vegotajob，’’saidMildred。``That’swhat’sthematter。’’
AgnesBelloc’sjawdroppedandherratherheavyeyebrowsshotuptowardthelowsweepinglineofherauburnhair。ShemadesuchaludicrousfacethatMildredlaughedoutright。Saidshe：
``It’squitetime。Fiftyaweek，forthreeweeksofrehearsal。Nodoubt_I_cangoonifIlike。Nothingcouldbeeasier。’’
``Crossley？’’
``Yes。Hewasverynice——heardmesingthreepieces——anditwasallsettled。I’mtobeginto-morrow。’’
ThecolorroseinAgnesBelloc’sfaceuntilshelookedapoplectic。Sheabruptlyretreatedtoherbedroom。
Afterafewminutesshecameback，hernormalcomplexionrestored。``Icouldn’ttrustmyselftospeak，’’
saidshe。``ThatwastheworstcaseofingratitudeIevermetupwith。You，gettingaplaceatfiftydollarsaweek——andonyourfirsttrial——andyoucomeinlookingasifyou’dlostyourmoneyandyourreputation。Whatkindofagirlareyou，anyway？’’
``Idon’tknow，’’saidMildred。``IwishIdid。’’
``Well，I’msorryyougotitsoeasy。Nowyou’llhaveafalsenotionfromthestart。It’salwaysbettertohaveahardtimegettingthings。Thenyouappreciatethem，andhavelearnedhowtoholdon。’’
``Notroubleaboutholdingontothis，’’saidMildredcarelessly。
``Pleasedon’ttalkthatway，child，’’pleadedAgnes，almosttearful。``It’sfrightfultome，who’vehadexperience，tohearyouinviteafall-down。’’
Mildreddisdainfullyflutteredthetypewrittencopyofthemusicalcomedy。``Thisischild’splay，’’saidshe。
``Thelinesarebeneathcontempt。Asforthesongs，youneverheardsuchslop。’’
``Thestarsinthosepiecesgetfourandfivehundred，andmore，aweek，’’saidMrs。Belloc。``Believeme，thosemanagersdon’tpayoutanysuchsumsforchild’splay。Youlookout。You’regoingatthiswrong。’’
``Ishan’tcareifIdofail，’’saidMildred。
``Doyoumeanthat？’’demandedMrs。Belloc。
``No，Idon’t，’’saidMildred。``Oh，Idon’tknowwhatImean。’’
``Iguessyou’rejusttalking，’’saidMrs。Bellocafterareflectivesilence。``Iguessagirlwhogoesandgetsagoodjob，firstcrackoutofthebox，musthaveastreakofshrewdness。’’
``Ihopeso，’’saidMildreddoubtfully。
``Iguessyou’llworkhard，allright。Afteryouwentoutthismorning，ItookthatpaperdowntoMissBlond。She’scrazyaboutit。Shewantstomakeacopyofit。ItoldherI’daskyou。’’
``Certainly，’’saidMildred。
``Shesaysshe’llreturnitthesameday。’’
``Tellhershecankeepitaslongasshelikes。’’
Mrs。Belloceyedhergravely，startedtospeak，checkedherself。Instead，shesaid，``No，Ishan’tdothat。I’llhaveitbackinyourroombythisevening。
Youmightchangeyourmind，andwanttouseit。’’
``Verywell，’’saidMildred，pointedlyuninterestedandignoringMrs。Belloc’sdelicatebutdistinctemphasisupon``might。’’
Mrs。Bellockeptasuspiciouseyeuponher——aneyethatwasnoteasilydeceived。ThemoreshethoughtaboutMildred’sstateofdepressionanddisdainthemoretolerantshebecame。Thatmoodwasthenaturalandnecessaryresultofthegirl’sbringingupandmodeoflife。Theimportantthing——andthewonderfulthing——washerbeingabletoovercomeit。Afteraweekofrehearsalshesaid：``I’mmakingthebestofit。ButIdon’tlikeit，andnevershall。’’
``Ishouldhopenot，’’repliedMrs。Belloc。``You’regoingtothetop。I’dhatetoseeyoucontentedatthebottom。Aren’tyoulearningagooddealthat’llbeusefullateron？’’
``That’swhyI’mreconciledtoit，’’saidshe。``Thestagedirector，Mr。Ransdell，isteachingmeeverything——evenhowtosing。Heknowshisbusiness。’’
Ransdellnotonlyknew，butalsotookendlesspainswithher。Hewasatall，thin，darkman，strikinglyhandsomeinthedistinguishedway。Sodistinguishedlookingwashethattomeethimwastowonderwhyhehadnotmadeagreatnameforhimself。Anextraordinarymindhecertainlyhad，andaninsightintothereasonsforthingsthatisgivenonlytogenius。Hehadfailedasacomposer，failedasaplaywright，failedasasinger，failedasanactor。Hehadbeenforcedtotakeuptheprofessionofputtingondramaticandmusicalplays，aprofessionthatrequiredvastknowledgeandhightalentsandpaidfortheminniggardlyfashionbothinmoneyandinfame。Crossleyowedtohimmorethantoanyothersingleelementtheseriesofsuccessesthathadmadehimrich。yetthetenthousandayearCrossleypaidhimwasregardedasevidenceofCrossley’slavishgenerosityandwasso。Itwouldhavebeendifficulttosaywhyamansosplendidlyendowedbynatureandsotirelessinimprovinghimselfwasthusunsuccessful。Probablyhelackedjudgment。
indeed，thatlackmusthavebeenthecause。HecouldjudgeforCrossley。butnotforhimself，notwhenhehadthefeelingofultimateresponsibility。
Mildredhadanticipatedthemostrepulsiveassociations——
menandwomenofloworiginandofvulgartastesandofvulgarlylooselives。Shefoundherselfsurroundedbysimple，pleasantpeople，undoubtedlyerraticforthemostpartinalltheirhabits，butwithoutviciousness。Andtheywerehardworkers，all。Ransdell——forCrossley——toleratednononsense。Hispeoplecouldliveastheypleased，awayfromthetheater，buttheretheymustbepromptandfit。Thedisciplinewasassevereasthatofamonastery。Shesawmanysignsthatallsortsofthingsofthesortwithwhichshewishedtohavenocontactweregoingonabouther。butassheheldslightly——butnotatallhaughtily——aloof，shewouldhavehadtogooutofherwaytoseeenoughtoscandalizeher。Shesoonsuspectedthatshewasbeingtreatedwithextraordinaryconsideration。ThiswasbyCrossley’sorders。ButthecarryingoutoftheirspiritaswellastheirletterwasduetoRansdell。Beforetheendofthatfirstweeksheknewthattherewasthepersonalelementbehindhisadmirationforhervoiceandhertalentforacting，behindhisconcentratingmostofhisattentionuponherpart。Helookedhisloveboldlywhenevertheywerealone。hewasalwaystryingtotouchher——neverinawaythatshecouldhaveresented，orfeltlikeresenting。Hewasnotunattractivetoher，andshewaseagertolearnallhehadtoteach，andsawnoharminhelpingherselfbylettinghimlove。
Towardthemiddleofthesecondweek，whentheywerealoneinherdressing-room，he——withtheingeniouslackofabruptnessoftheexperiencedmanatthegame——tookherhand，andbeforeshewasready，kissedher。
Hedidnotaccompanytheseadvanceswithanoutburstofpassionatewordsorwithanyfierylightingupoftheeyes，butcalmly，smilingly，asifitwerewhatshewasexpectinghimtodo，whathehadarighttodo。
Shedidnotknowquitehowtomeetthisnovelattack。
Shedrewherhandaway，wentontalkingaboutthepart——thechangeshehadsuggestedinherentrance，asshesangherbestsolo。Hediscussedthiswithheruntiltheyrosetoleavethetheater。Helookedsmilinglydownonher，andsaidwiththeflatteringairofthesatisfiedconnoisseur：
``Yes，youarecharming，Mildred。Icanmakeagreatartistandagreatsuccessoutofyou。Weneedeachother。’’
``Icertainlyneedyou，’’saidshegratefully。``Howmuchyou’vedoneforme。’’
``Onlythebeginning，’’repliedhe。``Ah，Ihavesuchplansforyou——suchplans。Crossleydoesn’trealizehowfaryoucanbemadetogo——withtherighttraining。Withoutit——’’Heshookhisheadlaughingly。
``Butyoushallhaveit，mydear。’’Andhelaidhishandslightlyandcaressinglyuponhershoulders。
Thegesturewasapparentlyafriendlyfamiliarity。
Toresentit，eventodrawaway，wouldputherintheattitudeofthewomanabsurdlyexercisedaboutthedesirabilityandsacrednessofherowncharms。
Stillsmiling，inthatfriendly，assuredway，hewenton：``You’vebeenverycoldandreservedwithme，mydear。Veryunappreciative。’’
Mildred，redandtrembling，hungherheadinconfusion。
``I’vebeenatthebusinesstenyears，’’hewenton，``andyou’rethefirstwomanI’vebeenmorethancasuallyinterestedin。Theprettyoneswerebores。Thehomelyones——Ican’tinterestmyselfinahomelywoman，nomatterhowmuchtalentshehas。Awomanmustfirstofallsatisfytheeye。Andyou——’’Heseatedhimselfanddrewhertowardhim。She，coldalloverandconfusedinmindandalmoststupefied，resistedwithallherstrength。butherstrengthseemedtobeoozingaway。Shesaid：
``Youmustnotdothis。Youmustnotdothis。I’mhorriblydisappointedinyou。’’
Hedrewhertohislapandheldhertherewithoutanyapparenttaxuponhisstrength。Hekissedher，laughinglypushingawaythearmswithwhichshetriedtoshieldherface。Suddenlyshefoundstrengthtowrenchherselffreeandstoodatadistancefromhim。
Shewaspantingalittle，waspale，waslookingathimwithcoldanger。
``Youwillpleaseleavethisroom，’’saidshe。
Helitacigarette，crossedhislegscomfortably，andlookedatherwithlaughingeyes。``Don’tdothat，’’hesaidgenially。``Surelymylessonsinactinghaven’tbeeninvain。That’stooobviouslyapose。’’
Shewenttothemirror，arrangedherhat，andmovedtowardthedoor。Heroseandbarredtheway。
``Youareassensibleasyouaresweetandlovely，’’
saidhe。``Whyshouldyouinsistonourbeingbadfriends？’’
``Ifyoudon’tstandaside，I’llcallouttothewatchman。’’
``I’dneverhavethoughtyouweredishonest。Infact，Idon’tbelieveityet。Youdon’tlooklikeoneofthoseladieswhowishtotakeeverythingandgivenothing。’’Histoneandmannerweremostattractive。
Besides，shecouldnotforgetallhehaddoneforher——andallhecoulddoforher。Saidshe：
``Mr。Ransdell，ifI’vedoneanythingtocauseyoutomisunderstand，itwasunconscious。AndI’msorry。
