VII
Theywhohaveknownthedoldrums——howthesailsofthelistlessshipdroop，andthehopeofescapediesdaybyday——mayunderstandsomethingofthelifeGypbeganlivingnow。Onaship，evendoldrumscometoanend。Butayoungwomanoftwenty-three，whohasmadeamistakeinhermarriage，andhasonlyherselftoblame，looksforwardtonoend，unlessshebethenewwoman，whichGypwasnot。Havingsettledthatshewouldnotadmitfailure，andclenchedherteethontheknowledgethatshewasgoingtohaveachild，shewentonkeepingthingssealedupevenfromWinton。ToFiorsen，shemanagedtobehaveasusual，makingmateriallifeeasyandpleasantforhim——playingforhim，feedinghimwell，indulginghisamorousness。Itdidnotmatter；shelovednooneelse。Tocountherselfamartyrwouldbesilly！Hermalaise，successfullyconcealed，wasdeeper——ofthespirit；thesubtleutterdiscouragementofonewhohasdoneforherself，clippedherownwings。
AsforRosek，shetreatedhimasifthatlittlescenehadnevertakenplace。Theideaofappealingtoherhusbandinadifficultywasgoneforeversincethenighthecamehomedrunk。Andshedidnotdaretotellherfather。Hewould——whatwouldhenotdo？Butshewasalwaysonherguard，knowingthatRosekwouldnotforgiveherforthatdartofridicule。HisinsinuationsaboutDaphneWingsheputoutofmind，asshenevercouldhaveifshehadlovedFiorsen。Shesetupforherselftheidolofpride，andbecameitsfaithfulworshipper。OnlyWinton，andperhapsBetty，couldtellshewasnothappy。Fiorsen’sdebtsandirresponsibilityaboutmoneydidnotworryhermuch，forshepaideverythinginthehouse——
rent，wages，food，andherowndress——andhadsofarmadeendsmeet；andwhathedidoutsidethehouseshecouldnothelp。
Sothesummerworeontillconcertswereover，anditwassupposedtobeimpossibletostayinLondon。Butshedreadedgoingaway。