Shehadtakenthewholeofacabinonthequieterdeckbelowthepromenade，payingforitnearlyhalfofwhatwasleftofthefourthousandfrancs。Thefirstthreedaysshekepttohercabinexceptatthedinner-hour，whensheventuredtothedeckjustoutsideandwalkedupanddownforexercise。Thenfollowedfourdaysofnastyweatherduringwhichshedidnotleaveherbed。Astheseacalmed，she，wretchedandreckless，hadachairputforherselfunderherwindowandsatthere，veiledandswathedandturningherfaceawaywheneverararewanderingpassengerhappenedtopassalong。Towardnoonamanpausedbeforehertolightacigarette。She，forgettingforthemomentherprecautions，lookedathim。Itchancedthathelookedatheratexactlythesameinstant。Theirglancesmet。Hestartednervously，movedonafewsteps，returned。Saidshemockingly：
``Youknowyouneedn’tspeakifyoudon’twantto，Stanley。’’
``Thereisn’tasoulonboardthatanybodyeverkneworthateverknewanybody，’’saidhe。``Sowhynot？’’
``Andyoulookhorriblybored。’’
``Unspeakably，’’repliedBaird。``I’vespokentonoonesinceIleftParis。’’
``Whatareyoudoingonthisship？’’inquiredshe。
``Tobeperfectlyhonest，’’saidhe，``Icamethiswaytoavoidyou。Iwasafraidyou’dtakepassageonmysteamerjusttoamuseyourselfwithmynervousness。
And——hereyouare！’’
``Amusingmyselfwithyournervousness。’’
``ButI’mnotnervous。There’snodanger。Willyouletmehaveachairputbesideyours？’’
``Itwillbeacharityonyourpart，’’saidshe。
Whenhewascomfortablysettled，heexplainedhisuneasiness。``IseeI’vegottotellyou，’’saidhe，``forIdon’twantyoutothinkmeashoutingass。Thefactismywifewantstogetadivorcefrommeandtosoakmeforbigalimony。She’sawomanwho’lldoanythingtogainherend，and——well，forsomereasonshe’salwaysbeenjealousofyou。Ididn’tcaretogetintotrouble，ortogetyouintotrouble。’’
``I’mtravelingasMaryStevens，’’saidMildred。
``NooneknowsI’maboard。’’
``Oh，I’msurewe’requitesafe。Wecanenjoytherestofthisvoyage。’’
Aseavoyagenotmerelyinducesbutcompelsafeelingofabsolutedetachmentfromtheworld。TobothStanleyandMildredtheiraffairs——thedifficultiesinwhichtheywereinvolvedonterrafirma——ceasedforthetimetohaveanyreality。Theuniversewasnothingbutavaststretchofwaterunderavaststretchofsky。theearthandthethingsthereofwerearetrospectandaforeboding。Withoutanalyzingit，bothheandshefeltthattheywerefree——freefromcares，fromresponsibilities——freetoamusethemselves。Andtheyproceededtoenjoythemselvesinthenecessarilyquietandlimitedwayimposedbythelittlenessoftheirpresentworldandthemeagernessoftheresources。
Asneitherhadthekindofmindthatexpandsinabstractions，theyweresoontalkinginthemostintimateandpersonalwayaboutthemselves——wereconfessingthingswhichneitherwouldhavebreathedtoanyoneonland。Itwasthemanwhosettheexampleofbreakingthroughthebarriersofconventionalrestraint——
perhapsofdelicacy，thoughitmustbesaidthathumanbeingsarerarelysofineintheirreticencesasthetheoryofrefinementwouldhaveusbelieve。SaidStanley，afterthepreliminariesofpartialconfidenceandhaltingavowalthatcouldnotbeomitted，evenatsea，byamanof``gentlemanlyinstinct’’：
``Idon’tknowwhyIshouldn’townup。Iknowyou’llnevertellanybody。Factis，Iandmywifewereneverinlovewitheachotherforasecond。Wemarriedbecausewewereinthesamesetandbecauseourincomestogethergaveusenoughtodothethingratherwell。’’
Afterasolemnpause。``Iwasinlovewithanotherwoman——oneIcouldn’tmarry。ButI’llnotgointothat。Asformywife，Idon’tthinkshewasinlovewithanyone。She’sascoldasastone。’’
Mildredsmiledironically。
Bairdsawandflushed。``Atleast，shewastome。
Iwasreadytomakeasortofbluff。Yousee，amanfeelsguiltyinthosecircumstancesanddoesn’twanttohumiliateawoman。Butshe——’’helaughedunpleasantly——``shewasn’tbotheringaboutMYfeelings。
That’sanice，selfishlittlewayyouladieshave。’’
``Sheprobablysawthroughyouandhatedyouforplayingthehypocritetoher，’’saidMildred。
``Youmayberight，Ineverthoughtofthat，’’
confessedhe。``Shecertainlyhadaviciouswayofhammeringtheotherwomanindirectly。Notthatsheeveradmittedbeingjealous。Iguesssheknew。Everybodyusuallyknowseverything。’’
``Andtherewasagreatdealoftalkaboutyouandme，’’saidMildredplacidly。
``Ididn’tsayitwasyou，’’protestedStanley，reddening。
``Nomatter，’’saidMildred。``Don’tbotheraboutthat。It’sallpastandgone。’’
``Well，atanyrate，mymarriagewasthemistakeofmylife。I’mdeterminedthatsheshan’ttripmeupandtrimmeforanyalimony。Andasmattersstand，shecan’t。Sheleftmeofherownaccord。’’
``Then，’’saidMildredthoughtfully，``ifthewifeleavesofherownaccord，shecan’tgetalimony？’’
``Certainlynot——notacent。’’
``Isupposedso，’’saidshe。``I’mnotsureI’dtakeitifIcouldgetit。Still，IsupposeIwould。’’Shelaughed。``What’stheuseofbeingahypocritewithoneself？IknowIwould。AllIcouldget。’’
``ThenyouhadnoLEGALexcuseforleaving？’’
``No，’’saidshe。``I——justbolted。Idon’tknowwhat’stobecomeofme。Iseemnottocare，atpresent，butnodoubtIshallassoonasweseelandagain。’’
``You’llgobacktohim，’’saidStanley。
``No，’’repliedshe，withoutemphasisoranyaccentwhatever。
``Sureyouwill，’’rejoinedhe。``It’syourliving。
Whatelsecanyoudo？’’
``That’swhatImustfindout。Surelythere’ssomethingelseforawomanbesidessuchamarriedlifeasmine。Ican’tandwon’tgobacktomyhusband。AndIcan’tandwon’tgotothehouseatHangingRock。
Thosetwothingsaresettled。’’
``Youmeanthat？’’
``Absolutely。AndI’vegot——lessthanthreehundredandfiftydollarsinthewholeworld。’’
Bairdwassilent。Hewasrousedfromhisabstractionbygradualconsciousnessofanironicalsmileonthefaceofthegirl，forshedidnotlooklikeamarriedwoman。``Youarelaughingatme。Why？’’inquiredhe。
``Iwasreadingyourthoughts。’’
``Youthinkyou’vefrightenedme？’’
``Naturally。Isn’taconfessionsuchasImadeenoughtofrightenaman？ItsoundedasthoughI
weregettingreadytoaskalms。’’
``Soitdid，’’saidhe。``ButIwasn’tthinkingofitinthatway。YouWILLbeinafrightfulfixprettysoon，won’tyou？’’
``Itlooksthatway。Butyouneednotbeuneasy。’’
``Oh，Iwanttohelpyou。I’lldoeverythingIcan。
Iwastryingtothinkofsomethingyoucouldmakemoneyat。Iwasthinkingofthestage，butIsupposeyou’dbalkatthat。I’lladmititisn’tthelifeforalady。Butthesamething’strueofwhatevermoneycanbemadeat。IfIwereyou，I’dgoback。’’
``IfIweremyself，I’dgoback，’’saidMildred。
``ButI’mnotmyself。’’
``Youwillbeagain，assoonasyoufacethesituation。’’
``No，’’saidsheslowly，``no，Ishallneverbemyselfagain。’’
``Butyoucouldhaveeverythingawomanwants。
Except，ofcourse——perhaps——Butyouneverstruckmeasbeingespeciallysentimental。’’
``Sentimenthasnothingtodowithit，’’rejoinedshe。
``DoyouthinkIcouldgetaplaceonthestage？’’
``Oh，you’dhavetostudyawhile，Isuppose。’’
``ButIcan’taffordthat。IfIcouldaffordtostudy，I’dhavemyvoicetrained。’’
Baird’sfacelightedupwithenthusiasm。``Theverything！’’hecried。``You’vegotavoice，agrand-operavoice。I’veheardlotsofpeoplesayso，anditsoundedthatwaytome。Youmustcultivateyourvoice。’’
Mildredlaughed。``Don’ttalknonsense。EvenI
knowthat’snonsense。Thelessonsalonewouldcostthousandsofdollars。AndhowcouldIliveforthefourorfiveyears？’’
``Youdidn’tletmefinish，’’saidBaird。``IwasgoingtosaythatwhenyougettoNewYorkyoumustgoandhaveyourvoicepassedon——bysomeimpartialperson。Ifthatpersonsaysit’sworthcultivating，why，I’mwillingtobackyou——asabusinessproposition。
Icanaffordtotaketherisk。So，yousee，it’sallperfectlysimple。’’
Hehadspokenrapidly，withacovertsuggestionoffearlestshewouldrebukehimsharplyforwhatshemightregardasanimpertinentoffer。Shesurprisedhimbylookingathimcalmly，reflectively，andsaying：
``Yes，youcouldaffordit，couldn’tyou？’’
``I’msureIcould。Andit’sthesortofthingthat’sdoneeveryday。Ofcourse，noone’dknowthatwehadmadethislittlebusinessarrangement。Butthat’seasilymanaged。I’dbegladifyou’dletmedoit，Mildred。
I’dliketofeelthatIwasofsomeuseintheworld。
AndI’dliketodosomethingforYOU。’’
Bywayofexceedinglycautiousexperimentheventuredtoputeversoslightanaccentoftendernessuponthe``you。’’Heobservedherfurtivelybutnervously。
Hecouldnotgetahintofwhatwasinhermind。Shegazedouttowardtherisingandfallinghorizonline。
Presentlyshesaid：
``I’llthinkaboutit。’’
``Youmustletmedoit，Mildred。It’sthesensiblething——andyouknowmewellenoughtoknowthatmyfriendshipcanbecountedon。’’
``I’llthinkaboutit，’’wasallshewouldconcede。
Theydiscussedthesingingcareerallthatandthesucceedingdays——thepossibilities，thehopes，thedangers——
butthehopesagreatdealmorethanthedangers。
Hebecamemoreandmoreinterestedinherandintheproject，asherbeautyshoneoutwiththetranquillizingseaandasheroldcharmofclevernessatsayingthingsthatamusedhimreasserteditself。She，dubiousandlukewarmatfirst，soonwastryingtocurbherownexcitedoptimism。butlongbeforetheysightedSandyHookshewasmerelypretendingtohangback。
Hefeltdiscouragedbyherparting！``IfIdecidetogoon，I’llwriteyouinafewdays。’’Butheneednothavefeltso。Shehadmadeuphermindtoaccepthisoffer。Asforthecomplicationsinvolvedinsuchcuriouslyintimaterelationswithamanofhistemperament，habits，andinclinations，shesawthemveryvaguelyin-
deed——refusedtopermitherselftoseethemanylessvaguely。Timeenoughtodealwithcomplicationswhenandastheyarose。whyneedlesslyandfoolishlyannoyherselfandhamperherself？Saidshetoherself，``Imustbegintobepractical。’’
IV
ATthepierMildredsenthermotheratelegram，givingthetrainbywhichshewouldarrive——thatandnothingmore。Asshedescendedfromtheparlor-cartherestoodMrs。Presburyupontheplatform，facewreathedinthemostjoyousofwelcomingsmiles，notasurfacetraceofthecuriosityandalarmstormingwithin。Aftertheyhadkissedandembracedwithagenuineemotionwhichtheydidnottrytohide，becausebothsuddenlybecameunconsciousofthatworldwhereofordinarilytheywereconstantlymindful——aftercaressesandtearsMrs。Presburysaid：
``It’sallverywelltodressplain，wheneveryoneknowsyoucanaffordthebest。Butdon’tyouthinkyou’reoverdoingitalittle？’’
Mildredlaughedsomewhatnervously。``Waittillwe’resafeathome，’’saidshe。
Onthewayupfromthestationinthecarriagetheychatteredawayintheliveliestfashion，tomaketheproperimpressionuponanyobservingHanging-
Rockers。``Luckily，Presbury’sgonetotownto-day，’’
saidhiswife。``Butreallyhe’squitelivable——hasn’tgonebacktohisoldways。Hedoesn’tknowit，buthe’srapidlygrowingdeaf。Heimaginesthateveryoneisspeakingmoreandmoreindistinctly，andhehaslostinterestinconversation。Then，too，hehasdonewellinWallStreet，andthathasputhiminagoodhumor。’’
``He’llnotbesurprisedtoseeme——alone，’’saidMildred。
``Waittillwe’rehome，’’saidhermothernervously。
AtthehouseMrs。Presburycarriedonafoolish，false-soundingconversationforthebenefitoftheservants，andfinallyconductedMildredtoherbedroomandshutdoorsanddrewportieresandglancedintoclosetsbeforesaying：``Now，whatISthematter，Millie？
WHEREisyourhusband？’’
``InParis，Isuppose，’’repliedMildred。``Ihavelefthim，andIshallnevergoback。’’
``Presburysaidyouwould！’’criedhermother。
``ButIdidn’tbelieveit。Idon’tbelieveit。Ibroughtyouuptodoyourduty，andIknowyouwill。’’
ThiswasMildred’sfirstopportunityforfrankandplainspeaking。andthatishighlyconducivetofrankandplainthinking。Shenowbegantoseeclearlywhyshehadquitthegeneral。Saidshe：``Mamma，tobehonestandnotmincewords，I’velefthimbecausethere’snothinginit。’’
``Isn’therich？’’inquiredhermother。``I’vealwayshadakindofpresent——’’
``Oh，he’srich，allright，’’interruptedthegirl。
``ButhesawtoitthatIgotnobenefitfromthat。’’
``Butyouwrotemehowhewasbuyingyoueverything！’’
``SoIthought。InfacthewasbuyingMEnothing。’’
Andshewentontoexplainthegeneral’ssystem。
Hermotherlistenedimpatiently。Shewouldhavein-
terruptedthelongandangryrecitalmanytimeshadnotMildredinsistedonafullhearingofhergrievances，oftheoutragesthathadbeenheapeduponher。
``And，’’sheended，``Isupposehe’sgotitsoarrangedthathecouldhavemearrestedasathieffortakingthegoldbag。’’
``Yes，it’sterribleandallthat，’’saidhermother。
``ButIshouldhavethoughtlivingwithmeherewhenPresburywascarryingonsodreadfullywouldhavetaughtyousomething。Yourcaseisn’tanexception，anymorethanmineis。That’sthesortofthingwewomenhavetoputupwithfrommen，whenwe’reintheirpower。’’
``NotI，’’saidMildredloftily。
``Yes，you，’’retortedhermother。``ANYwoman。
EVERYwoman。Unlesswehavemoneyofourown，weallhavetroublewiththemenaboutmoney，soonerorlater，inonewayoranother。Andrichmen！——why，it’snotoriousthatthey’realwaysmoreorlessmeanaboutmoney。
Awifehasgottousetact。Why，Ievenhadtousesometactwithyourfather，andhewasasgenerousamanaseverlived。Tact——that’sawoman’swholelife。
Yououghttohaveusedtact。You’llgobacktohimandusetact。’’
``Youdon’tknowhim，mamma！’’criedMildred。
``He’samonster。Heisn’thuman。’’
Mrs。Presburydrewalongfaceandsaidinasad，soothingvoice：``Yes，Iknow，dear。Menarevery，veryawful，insomeways，toanicewoman——withrefined，ladylikeinstincts。It’sagreatshocktoapure——’’
``Oh，gammon！’’interruptedMildred。``Don’tbesilly，mother。Itisn’tworthwhileforonewomantotalkthatkindofthingtoanother。Ididn’tfullyknowwhatIwasdoingwhenImarriedamanIdidn’tlove——amanwhowasalmostrepulsivetome。ButIknewenough。AndIwasgettingalongwellenough，asanywomandoes，nomatterwhatshemaysay——yes，youneedn’tlookshocked，forthat’shypocrisy，andIknowitnow——But，asIwassaying，Ididn’tbegintoHATE
himuntilhetriedtomakeaslaveofme。Aslave！’’
sheshuddered。``He’samonster！’’
``Alittletact，andyoucangeteverythingyouwant，’’
insistedhermother。
``Itellyou，youdon’tknowtheman，’’criedMildred。
``BytactIsupposeyoumeanIcouldhavesoldthingsbehindhisback——andallthat。’’Shelaughed。``Hehasn’tgotanyback。Hehaditsoarrangedthatthosecold，wickedeyesofhiswerealwayswatchingme。Hissecondwifetried`tact。’Hecaughtheranddroveherintothestreets。I’dhavehadnochancetogetacent，andifIhadgottenitI’dnothavedaredspendit。DoyouimagineIranawayfromhimwithouthavingTHOUGHT？Ifthere’dbeenanywayofstayingon，anywayofmakingthingsevenendurable，I’dhavestayed。’’
``Butyou’vegottogoback，Milly，’’criedhermother，intears。
``Youmeanthatyoucan’tsupportme？’’
``AndyourbrotherFrank——’’Mrs。Presbury’seyesflashedandherratherstoutcheeksquivered。``I
neverthoughtI’dtellanybody，butI’lltellyou。I
neverlikedyourbrotherFrank，andheneverlikedme。
Thatsoundsdreadful，doesn’tit？’’
``No，motherdear，’’saidMildredgently。``I’velearnedthatlifeisn’tatallas——aseverybodypretends。’’
``Indeeditisn’t，’’saidhermother。``Mothersalwayshavefavoritesamongtheirchildren，andveryoftenamotherdislikesoneofherchildren。Ofcourseshehidesherfeelinganddoesherduty。Butallthesameshecan’thelpthefeelingthatisdowninherheart。I
hadapresentimentbeforehewasbornthatIwouldn’tlikehim，andsureenough，Ididn’t。Andhedidn’tlikeme，orhisfather，oranyofus。’’
``Itwouldneveroccurtometoturntohim，’’saidMildred。
``Thenyouseethatyou’vegottogobacktothegeneral。Youcan’tgetadivorceandalimony，foritwasyouthatlefthim——andfornocause。Hewaswithinhisrights。’’
Mildredhesitated，confessed：``Ihadthoughtofgoingbacktohimandactinginsuchawaythathe’dbegladtogivemeadivorceandanallowance。’’
``Yes，youmightdothat，’’saidhermother。``A
greatmanywomendo。And，afterall，haven’ttheyarightto？Aladyhasgottohavepropersupport，andisitjusttoaskhertolivewithamansheloathes？’’
``Ihaven’tthoughtoftherightorwrongofit，’’saidMildred。``Itlookstomeasthoughrightandwronghaveverylittletodowithlifeasit’slived。They’reforhypocrites——andfools。’’
``Mildred！’’exclaimedhermother，deeplyshocked。
Mildredwasnotalittleshockedatherownthoughtsassheinspectedtheminthefulllightintowhichspeechhaddraggedthem。``Anyhow，’’shewenton，``Isoonsawthatsuchaplanwashopeless。He’snotthemantobetrifledwith。LongbeforeIcoulddrivehimtogivemealivingandletmegohewouldhavedrivenmetoflightorsuicide。’’
HermotherhadnowhadtimetoreflectuponMildred’srevelations。Aidedbytheimpressionssheherselfhadgottenofthelittlegeneral，shebegantounderstandwhyherdaughterhadfledandwhyshewouldnotreturn。
Shefeltthatthesituationwasonewhichtimealonecouldsolve。Saidshe：``Well，thebestthingisforyoutostayonhereandwaituntilhemakessomemove。’’
``He’llhavemewatched——that’sallhe’lldo，’’saidMildred。``Whenhegetsreadyhe’lldivorcemefordesertinghim。’’
Mrs。Presburyfeltthatshewasright。But，concealingherdespondency，shesaid：``Allwecandoistowaitandsee。Youmustsendforyourluggage。’’
``I’venothingbutalargebag，’’saidMildred。``I
checkeditintheparcel-roomoftheNewYorkstation。’’
Mrs。Presburywasoverwhelmed。HowaccounttoHangingRockforthereappearanceofabaggagelessandhusbandlessbride？Butsheheldupbravely。
Withacheerfulnessthatdidcredittoherheartandshowedhowwellshelovedherdaughtershesaid：``Wemustdothebestwecan。We’llgetupsomestory。’’
``No，’’saidMildred。``I’mgoingbacktoNewYork。Youcantellpeopleherewhatyouplease——
thatI’vegonetorejoinhimortowaitforhim——anyoldthing。’’
``Atleastyou’llwaitandtalkwithPresbury，’’
pleadedhermother。``HeisVERYsensible。’’
``Ifhehasanythingtosuggest，’’saidMildred，``hecanwriteit。I’llsendyoumyaddress。’’
``Milly，’’criedhermother，agitatedtothedepths，``whereAREyougoing？WHATareyougoingtodo？
Youlooksostrange——notatalllikeyourself。’’
``I’mgoingtoahotelto-night——probablytoaboarding-houseto-morrow，’’saidMildred。``InafewdaysIshallbeginto——’’shehesitated，decidedagainstconfidence——’’begintosupportmyselfatsomethingorother。’’
``Youmustbecrazy！’’criedhermother。``Youwouldn’tdoanything——andyoucouldn’t。’’
``Let’snotdiscussit，mamma，’’saidthegirltranquilly。
Themotherlookedatherwitheyesfullofthesuspiciononeladycannotbuthaveastotheprojectsofanotherladyinsuchcircumstances。
``Mildred，’’shesaidpleadingly，``youmustbecareful。You’llfindyourselfinvolvedinadreadfulscandal。
Iknowyouwouldn’tDOanythingWRONGnomatterhowyouweredriven。But——’’
``I’llnotdoanythingFOOLISH，mamma，’’interruptedthegirl。``Youarethinkingaboutmen，aren’tyou？’’
``Menarealwaysreadytodestroyawoman，’’saidhermother。``Youmustbecareful——’’
Mildredwaslaughing。``Oh，mamma，’’shecried，``dobesensibleanddogivemecreditforalittlesense。I’vegotaveryclearideaofwhatawomanoughttodoaboutmen，andIassureyouI’mnotgoingtobeFOOLISH。
Andyouknowawomanwhoisn’tfoolishcanbetrustedwhereawomanwho’sonlyprotectedbyherprincipleswouldyieldtothefirsttemptation——orhuntroundforatemptation。’’
``Butyousimplycan’tgotoNewYorkandlivethereallalone——andwithnothing！’’
``CanIstayhere——formorethanafewdays？’’
``Butmaybe，afterafewdays——’’stammeredhermother。
``Yousee，I’vegottobegin，’’saidMildred。``Sowhydelay？I’dgainnothing。I’dsimplystartHangingRocktogossiping——andstartMr。Presburytoactinglikeafiendagain。’’
Hermotherrefusedtobeconvinced——wasthefirmer，perhaps，becauseshesawthatMildredwasunshakableinherresolvetoleaveforthwith——theobviouslysensibleandlesstroublesomecourse。TheyemployedtherestofMildred’sthreehours’stopinarguing——whenMildredwasnotragingagainstthelittlegeneral。Hermotherwasmorethanwillingtoassistherinthisdenunciation，butMildredpreferredtodoitallherself。
Shehad——perhapsbyunconsciouslyabsorbedtrainingfromherlawyerfather——anunusualdegreeofabilitytoseebothsidesofaquestion。Whensheassailedherhusband，shesawonlyherownside。butsomehowwhenhermotherrailedandraved，shebegantoseeanotherside——andthesightwasnotagreeable。Shewishedtofeelthatherhusbandwasaltogetherinthewrong。
shedidnotwishtohaveintrudeduponhersuchfactsasthatshehadsoldherselftohim——quiteinthecustomarywayofladies，butneverthelessquiteshamelessly——orthatinstrictjusticeshehaddonenothingforhimtoentitlehertoaliberalmoneyallowanceoranyallowanceatall。
Onthetrain，goingbacktoNewYork，sheadmittedtoherselfthattherepulsivelittlegeneralhadheldstrictlytothetermsofthebargain——’’butonlyadevilandonewithnotasinglegentlemanlyinstinctwouldinsistonsuchabargain。’’Ittookawaymuchoftheshame，andallofthesting，ofdespisingherselftofeelthatshewaslookingstilllowerwhensheturnedtodespisinghim。
Toedgeoutthelittlegeneralshebegantothinkofhermother，butasshepassedinreviewwhathermotherhadsaidandhowshehadsaiditshesawthatforalltheprotestsandarguingshermotherwasmorethanresignedtoherdeparture。Mildredfeltnobitterness。
eversinceshecouldrememberhermotherhadbeenashifterofresponsibility。Still，tostareintothefaceofsodisagreeableafactasthatonehadnoplaceonearthtogoto，nooneonearthtoturnto，notevenone’sownmother——tostareonatthatgrimacinguglinessdidnottendtocheerfulness。Mildredtriedtothinkofthefuture——buthowcouldshethinkofsomethingthatwasnothing？Sheknewthatshewouldgoon，somehow，insomedirection，butbynoeffortofherimaginationcouldshepictureit。Shewassoimpressedbythenecessityofconsideringthefuturethat，torouseherself，shetriedtofrightenherselfwithpicturesofpovertyandmisery，ofherselfaderelictinthevastandcolddesertofNewYork——perhapsinrags，hungry，ill，butallinvain。Shedidnotbelieveit。
Alwaysshehadhadplentytowearandtoeat，andcomfortablesurroundings。Shecouldnomorethinkofherselfaswithoutthosethingsthanalivingpersoncanimaginehimselfdead。
``I’mafool，’’shesaidtoherself。``I’mcertaintogetintoallsortsoftrouble。Howcanitbeotherwise，whenI’venomoney，nofriends，noexperience，nowayofmakingaliving——nohonestway——perhapsnowayoftheotherkind，either？’’Therearemanywomenwhoecstasizetheireasilytickledvanitiesbyfancyingthatiftheyweresodisposedtheyneedonlyflutteraneyelidtohavemenbythelegionstrivingfortheirfavors，eachmanwithabagofgold。Mildred，inexperiencedasshewas，hadnosuchdelusions。Hermindhappenednottobeofthatchastelylicentiouscastewhichcontinuallyrevolvesandfantasticallyexaggeratesthethingsofthebody。
Shecouldnotunderstandherownindifferenceaboutthefuture。ShedidnotrealizethatitwaswhollyduetoStanleyBaird’soffer。Shewasimaginingshewasregardingthatofferassomethingshemightpossiblyconsider，butprobablywouldnot。Shedidnotknowthathersoulhadseizeduponit，hadenfoldeditandwouldonnoaccountletitgo。Itisthehabitofoursecretselvesthustomakedecisionsandawaittheirowngoodtimeformakingusacquaintedwiththem。
Withherbagontheseatbesidehershesetouttofindatemporarylodging。Notuntilseveralhotelshadrefusedheradmittanceonthepretextthattheywere``fullup’’didsherealizethatayoungwomanaloneisanobjectofsuspicioninNewYork。Whenafourthroom-clerkexpressedhispoliteregretsshelookedhimstraightintheeyeandsaid：
``Iunderstand。ButIcan’tsleepinthestreet。YoumusttellmewhereIcango。’’
``Well，there’stheRiponoverinSeventhAvenue，’’
saidhe。
``Isitrespectable？’’saidshe。
``Oh，it’sverycleanandcomfortablethere，’’saidhe。
``They’lltreatyouright。’’
``Isitrespectable？’’saidshe。
``Well，now，itdoesn’tLOOKqueer，ifthat’swhatyoumean，’’repliedhe。``You’lldoverynicelythere。Youcanbejustasquietasyouwant。’’
ShesawthathotelNewYorkwouldnotbelieveherrespectable。SototheRiponshewent，andwasadmittedwithoutdiscussion。Asthelastrespectableclerkhadsaid，itdidnotLOOKqueer。ButitFELTqueer。sheresolvedthatshewouldgointoaboarding-housetheverynextday。
Hereagainwhatseemedsimpleproveddifficult。Norespectableboarding-housewouldhaveMissMaryStevens。Shewasconfidentthatnothinginherdressormannerhintedmystery。Yetthosesharp-eyedland-
ladiesseemedtoknowatoncethattherewassomethingpeculiarabouther。Mostofthembecamerudetheinstanttheyseteyesuponher。Afew——oftheobviouslylessprosperousclass——talkedwithher，seemedtobelisteningforsomethingwhichherfailingtosaydecidedthemuponallbutorderingheroutofthehouse。She，hinderedbyherinnocence，wasslowinrealizingthatshecouldnothopeforadmissiontoanyselectrespectablecircle，evenofhigh-classsalesladiesandclerks，unlessshegaveafreeandclearaccountofherself——
whenceshehadcome，whatshewasdoing，howshegothermoney。
Towardtheendofthesecondday’swearisomeandhumiliatingsearchshefoundahousethatwouldadmither。Itwasapretentious，well-furnishedbighouseinMadisonAvenue。Theprice——thirty-fivedollarsaweekforboard，abedroomwithafoldingbedinanalcove，andabath，wasmorethandoublewhatshehadcountedonpaying，butshediscoveredthatdecentandcleanlodgingsandfoodfittoeatwerenottobehadforless。``AndIsimplycan’tlivepig-fashion，’’saidshe。``I’dbesodepressedthatIcoulddonothing。I
can’tlivelikeawildanimal，andIwon’t。’’Shehadsomevaguenotion——foreboding——thatthiswasnottheproperspiritwithwhichtofacelife。``IsupposeI’mhorriblyfoolish，’’reflectedshe，``butifImustgodown，I’llgodownwithmycolorsflying。’’Shedidnotknowpreciselywhatthatphrasemeant，butitsoundedfineandbraveandheartenedhertotaketheexpensivelodgings。
ThelandladywasaMrs。Belloc。Mildredhadnottalkedwithhertwentyminutesbeforeshehadafeelingthatthisnamewasassumed。Theeveningofherfirstdayinthehouseshelearnedthatherguesswascorrect——learneditfromthelandladyherself。AfterdinnerMrs。Belloccameintoherroomtocheerherup，tofindoutaboutherandtotellheraboutherself。
``Nowthatyou’vecome，’’saidshe，``thehouseisfullup——exceptsomelittleroomsatthetopthatI’dasliefnotfill。Theprobabilitiesarethatanyladieswhowouldtakethemwouldn’tberefinedenoughtosuitthoseIhave。Therearesix，notcountingme，everyonewithabathandtwowithprivateparlors。Andasthey’reallhandsome，sensiblewomen，ladylikeandsteady，Ithinktheprospectsarethatthey’llpaypromptlyandthatIwon’thaveanytrouble。’’
Mildredreflecteduponthiscuriousstatement。Itsoundedinnocentenough，yetwhatapeculiarwaytoputasimplefact。
``Ofcourseit’snoneofmybusinesshowpeopleliveaslongastheykeepuptherespectabilities，’’pursuedMrs。Belloc。``Itdon’tdotoinquireintopeopleinNewYork。Mostof’emcomeherebecausetheywanttoliveastheyplease。’’
``Nodoubt，’’saidMildredalittlenervously，forshesuspectedherlandladyofhittingather，andwonderedifshehadcometocross-examineherand，iftheresultswerenotsatisfactory，toputherintothestreet。
``Iknow_I_cameforthatreason，’’pursuedMrs。
Belloc。``Iwasaschool-teacherupinNewEnglanduntilabouttwoyearsago。Didyoueverteachschool？’’
``Notyet，’’saidMildred。``AndIdon’tthinkIevershall。Idon’tknowenough。’’
``Oh，yes，youdo。Ateacherdoesn’tneedtoknowmuch。Thewagesaresopoor——atleastupinNewEngland——thattheydon’texpectyoutoknowanything。
It’sallinthebooks。IleftbecauseIcouldn’tendurethelife。Lord！howdullthoselittletownsare！
Everliveinalittletown？’’
``Allmylife，’’saidMildred。
``Well，you’llnevergoback。’’
``Ihopenot。’’
``Youwon’t。Whyshouldyou？Asensiblewomanwithlooks——especiallyifsheknowshowtocarryherclothes——canstayinNewYorkaslongasshepleases，andliveoffthefatoftheland。’’
``That’sgoodnews，’’saidMildred。Shebegantolikethelandlady——notforwhatshesaid，butforthefreeandfrankandfriendlywayofthesaying——ahumanway，acomradelyway，alive-and-let-liveway。
``Ididn’tescapefromNewEnglandwithoutastruggle，’’continuedMrs。Belloc，whowasplainlyshowingthatshehadtakenagreatfancyto``MaryStevens。’’
``Isupposeitwashardtosavethemoneyoutofyoursalary，’’saidMildred。
Mrs。Belloclaughed。Shewasaboutthirty-fiveyearsold，thoughhereyesandherfigurewereyoungerthanthat。Hermouthwaspleasantenough，buthadlostsomeofitsfreshness。``Savemoney！’’criedshe。
``I’dneverhavesucceededthatway。I’dbethereyet。
Ihadnevermarried——hadtwoorthreechances，butallfrompoorstickslookingforsomeonetosupportthem。Isawmyselfgettingold。IwaslookingyearsolderthanIdonow。Talkaboutseaairforfresheningawomanup——itisn’tinitwiththeairofNewYork。
Here’sthetownwherewomenstayyoung。IfIhadcomeherefiveyearsagoIcouldalmosttryforthesquabclass。’’
``Squabclass？’’queriedMildred。
``Yes，squabs。Don’tyouseethemaroundeverywhere？——
thewomendressedlikegirlsofsixteentoeighteen——andsomeofthemarethat，andyounger。
Theygohoppingandlaughingabout——andtheyseemtopleasethemenandtohavenoendofagoodtime。
Especiallytheoldishmen。Oh，yes，youknowasquabonsight——tightskirt，lowshoesandsilkstockings，cuteprettyface，alwayslaughing，hatsetonrakishlyandhairdonetomatch，andalwaysabigpurseorbag——withayellow-backorsoinit——asakindofahint，Iguess。’’
Mildredhadseensquabs。``I’veenviedthem——inaway，’’saidshe。``Theirparentsseemtoletthemdoaboutastheyplease。’’
``Theirparentsdon’tknow——ordon’tcare。Sometimesit’sone，sometimestheother。Theytravelintwosets。Oneiswheretheymeetyoungfellowsoftheirownclass——thekindthey’llprobablymarry，unlesstheyhappentodrawthecapitalprize。Theothersettheytravelin——well，it’stheoldermentheymeetroundtheswellhotelsandsoon——theyellow-backmen。’’
``Howqueer！’’exclaimedMildred，beforewhoseeyesanewworldwasopening。``Buthowdothey——these——squabs——accountforthemoney？’’
``Howdoathousandandonewomeninthisfunnytownaccountathomeformoneyandthings？’’retortedMrs。Belloc。``Nothing’seasier。Forinstance，oftenthesesquabsdo——orpretendtodo——alittlesomethinginthewayofwork——alittlecanvassingorartists’
modeloranythingyouplease。Thathelpsthemtoexplainathome——andalsotomakeeachoftheyellow-
backmenthinkhe’stheonlyoneandthathe’sbeingalmostlovedforhimselfalone。’’
Mrs。Belloclaughed。Mildredwastooastonishedtolaugh，andtoointerested——andtoostartledorshocked。
``ButIwastellingyouhow_I_gotdownhere，’’
continuedthelandlady。``Upinmytowntherewasanoldman——aboutseventy-five——closeasthebarkonatree，anduglyandmean。’’Shepausedtodrawalongbreathandtoshakeherheadangrilyyettriumphantlyatsomefigureherfancyconjuredup。
``Oh，heWASapup！——andis！Well，anyhow，I
decidedthatI’dmarryhim。SoIwrotehomeforfiftydollars。Iborrowedanotherfiftyhereandthere。I
hadseventy-fivesavedupagainstsickness。IwentuptoBostonandlaiditalloutinunderclothesandhousethings——notshowybutfineandgoodtolookat。Thenoneday，whentheweatherwasfineandIknewtheoldmanwouldbeoutinhisbuggydrivinground——I
dressedmyselfuptobeattheband。Itookhourstoit——scrubbing，powdering，sacheting，perfuming，fixingthehair，fixingmyfinger-nails，fixingupmyfeet，polishingeverynailandmakingthemlookbetterthanmosthands。’’
Mildredwassointerestedthatshewasexcited。Whatstrangefreakwascoming？
``Younevercouldguess，’’pursuedMrs。Belloc，complacently。``Itookmysunshadeandwentout，allgotuptokill。AndIwalkedalongtheroaduntilIsawtheoldman’sbuggycomingwithhiminit。ThenI
gavemyankleafrightfulwrench。My！Howithurt！’’
``Whatapity！’’saidMildredsympathetically。
``Whatashame！’’
``Apity？Ashame？’’criedMrs。Belloc，laughing。
``Why，mydear，Ididita-purpose。’’
``Onpurpose！’’exclaimedMildred。
``Certainly。Thatwasmygame。Iscreamedoutwithpain——andthescreamwasnofake，Icantellyou。AndIfelldownbytheroadsideonanicegrassyspotwherenodustwouldgetonme。Well，upcomestheoldskinflintinhisbuggy。Heclimbeddownandhelpedmegetoffmyslipperandstocking。IknewIhadhimtheminuteIsawhisoldfacelookingatthatfootIhadfixedupsobeautifully。’’
``HowDIDyoueverthinkofit？’’exclaimedMildred。
``Goandteachschoolfortenyearsinadulllittletown，mydear——andlookintheglasseverydayandseeyouryouthfadingaway——andyou’llthinkofmostanything。Well，tomakealongstoryshort，theoldmantookmeinthebuggytohishousewherehelivedwithhisdeaf，half-blindoldwidoweddaughter。Ihadtostaytherethreeweeks。Imarriedhimthefourthweek。AndjusttwomonthstoadayfromtheafternoonIsprainedmyankle，hegavemefiftydollarsaweek——allsignedandsealedbyalawyer——togoawayandleavehimalone。Imighthavestoodoutformore，butIwastooanxioustogettoNewYork。AndhereIam！’’Shegazedaboutthewell-furnishedroom，typicalofthatalmostluxurioushouse，withanairoftriumphantsatisfaction。Saidshe：``I’venopatiencewithawomanwhosaysshecan’tgeton。Where’sherbrains？’’
Mildredwassilent。Perhapsitwasafeelingofwhatwashazilyintheyoungerwoman’smindandadesiretoansweritthatledMrs。Belloctosayfurther：``I
supposethere’ssomethatwouldcriticizemywayofgettingthere。ButIwanttoknow，don’tallwomengettherebyworkingmen？Onlymostofthemaresostupidthattheyhavetogoonlivingwiththeman。
Ithinkit’slowtolivewithamanyouhate。’’
``Oh，I’mnotcriticizinganybody，’’saidMildred。
``Ididn’tthinkyouwere，’’saidMrs。Belloc。``IfIhadn’tseenyouweren’tthatkind，I’dnothavebeensoconfidential。NotthatI’msecretivewithanybody。
IsayanddowhatIplease。Anyonewhodoesn’tlikemywayormecantaketheothersideofthestreet。
Ididn’tcometoNewYorktogoinsociety。IcameheretoLIVE。’’
Mildredlookedatheradmiringly。TherewerethingsaboutMrs。Bellocthatshedidnotadmire。otherthings——suspectedratherthanknownthings——thatsheknewshewouldshrinkfrom，butsheheartilyadmiredandprofoundlyenviedherutterindifferencetotheopinionofothers，herfineindependentwayofwalkingherownpathatherowngait。
``Itookthisboarding-house，’’Mrs。Bellocwenton，``becauseIdidn’twanttobelonesome。Idon’tlikeall——orevenmostof——theladiesthatlivehere。Butthey’reallamusingtotalkwith——anddon’tputonairsexceptwiththeirmenfriends。Andoneortwoaretherealthing——good-hearted，fondofajoke，with-
outanymeanness。Itellyou，NewYorkisamightyfineplaceifyouget`inright。’Ofcourse，ifyoudon’t，it’sh-e-l-l。’’Mrs。Belloctookoffitsunrefinededgebyspellingit。``Butwhatplaceisn’t？’’sheadded。
``Andyourhusbandneverbothersyou？’’inquiredMildred。
``Andneverwill，’’repliedMrs。Belloc。``WhenhediesI’llcomeintoalittlemore——aboutahundredandfiftyaweekinall。Notafortune，butenoughwithwhattheboarding-housebringsin。I’maprettyfairbusinesswoman。’’
``Ishouldsayso！’’exclaimedMildred。
``YousaidyouwereMissStevens，didn’tyou？’’saidMrs。Belloc——andMildredknewthatherturnhadcome。
``Yes，’’repliedshe。``ButIamalsoamarriedwoman。’’Shehesitated，reddened。``Ididn’tgiveyoumymarriedname。’’
``That’syourownbusiness，’’saidMrs。Bellocinhereasiestmanner。``Myrightnameisn’tBelloc，either。
ButI’vedroppedthatotherlife。Youneedn’tfeelabitembarrassedinthishouse。SomeofmyboardersSEEMtobemarried。Allthathaveregular-appearinghusbandsSAYtheyare。WhatdoIcare，solongaseverythinggoesalongsmoothly？Idon’tgetexcitedabouttrifles。’’
``SomedayperhapsI’lltellyouaboutmyself，’’saidMildred。``JustatpresentI——well，Iseemnottobeabletotalkaboutthings。’’
``It’snotabadideatokeepyourmouthshut，aslongasyouraffairsareunsettled，’’advisedMrs。Belloc。
``Icanseeyou’vehadlittleexperience。Butyou’llcomeoutallright。Justkeepcool，anddon’tfretabouttrifles。Anddon’tletanymanmakeafoolofyou。That’swherewewomengetleft。We’reafraidofmen。Weneedn’tbe。Wecanmightyeasilymakethemafraidofus。Usethesofthandtillyougethimwellinyourgrip。Thenthefirmhand。Nothingcoarseorcruelormean。Butfirmandself-respecting。’’
MildredwastemptedtotakeMrs。Bellocfullyintoherconfidenceandgetthebenefitoftheadviceofshrewdnessandexperience。Sostrongwasthetemptation，shewouldhaveyieldedtoithadMrs。Bellocaskedafewtactful，penetratingquestions。ButMrs。
Bellocrefrained，andMildred’stimidityordelicacyinducedhertopostpone。ThenextdayshewroteStanleyBaird，givingheraddressandhernameandaskinghimtocall``anyafternoonatfourorfive。’’Sheassumedthathewouldcomeonthefollowingday，buttheletterhappenedtoreachhimwithinanhourofhermailingit，andhecamethatveryafternoon。
Whenshewentdowntothedrawing-roomtoreceivehim，shefoundhimstandinginthemiddleoftheroomgazingaboutwithaquizzicalexpression。Assoonasthegreetingswereoverhesaid：
``Youmustgetoutofhere，Mildred。Thiswon’tdo。’’
``IndeedIshan’t，’’saidshe。``I’velookedeverywhere，andthisistheonlycomfortableplaceIcouldfind——wheretherateswerereasonableandwherethelandladydidn’thavehernoseineverybody’sbusiness。’’
``Youdon’tunderstand，’’saidhe。``Thisisabird-
cage。Highlygilded，butabird-cage。’’
Shehadneverheardthephrase，butsheunderstood——
andinstantlysheknewthathewasright。Shecoloredviolently，satdownabruptly。Butinamomentsherecoveredherself，andwithfinedefiancesaid：
``Idon’tcare。Mrs。Bellocisakind-heartedwoman，andit’saseasytoberespectablehereasanywhere。’’
``Sure，’’assentedhe。``Butyou’vegottoconsiderappearancestoacertainextent。Youwon’tbeabletofindtherightsortofaboarding-house——oneyou’dbecomfortablein。You’vegottohaveaflatofyourown。’’
``Ican’taffordit，’’saidMildred。``Ican’taffordthis，even。ButIsimplywillnotliveinashabby，mussyway。’’
``That’sright！’’criedStanley。``Youcan’tdoproperworkinpoorsurroundings。Somewomencould，butnotyoursort。Butdon’tworry。I’mgoingtoseeyouthrough。I’llfindaplace——rightaway。
Youwanttostartinatonce，don’tyou？’’
``I’vegotto，’’saidMildred。
``Thenleaveitalltome。’’
``ButWHATamItodo？’’
``Sing，ifyoucan。Ifnot，thenact。We’llhaveyouonthestagewithinayearorso。I’msureofit。
AndI’llgetmymoneyback，withinterest。’’
``Idon’tseehowIcanacceptit，’’saidMildredveryfeebly。
``You’vegotto，’’saidStanley。``Whatalternativeisthere？None。Solet’sbothernomoreaboutit。
I’llconsultwiththosewhoknow，findoutwhatthethingcosts，andarrangeeverything。You’reashelplessasababy，andyouknowit。’’
Yes，Mildredknewit。
Helookedatherwithanamusedsmile。``Come，outwithit！’’hecried。``You’vegotsomethingonyourmind。Let’sgeteverythingstraight——andkeepitthatway。’’
Mildredhungherhead。
``You’reuneasybecauseI，aman，amdoingthisforyou，ayoungwoman？Isthatit？’’
``Yes，’’sheconfessed。
Heleanedbackinhischair，crossedhislegs，andspokeinabrisk，businesslikeway。``Inthefirstplace，it’sgottobedone，hasn’tit？Andsomeonehasgottodoit？Andthereisnooneofferingbutme？AmIright？’’
Shenodded。
``Then_I_’vegottodoit，andyou’veGOTtoletme。
There’slogic，ifevertherewaslogic。APhiladelphialawyercouldn’tknockaholeinit。Youtrustme，don’tyou？’’
Shewassilent。
``Youdon’ttrustme，then，’’saidhecheerfully。
``Well，perhapsyou’reright。Butyoutrustyourself，don’tyou？’’
Shemovedrestlessly，butremainedsilent。
``YouareafraidImightputyouinadifficultposition？’’
``Somethinglikethat，’’sheadmitted，inalow，embarrassedvoice。
``YoufearthatIexpectsomereturnwhichyoudonotintendtogive？’’
Shewassilent。
``Well，Idon’t，’’saidhebluntly。``Soputyourmindatrest。SomedayI’lltellyouwhyIamdoingthis，butIwantyoutofeelthatIasknothingofyoubutmymoneybackwithinterest，whenyoucanaffordtopay。’’
``Ican’tfeelthat，’’saidshe。``You’reputtingmeinyourdebt——soheavilythatI’dfeelIoughttopayanythingyouasked。ButIcouldn’tandwouldn’tpay。’’
``Unlessyoufeltlikeit？’’suggestedhe。
``It’shonestformetowarnyouthatI’mnotlikelytofeelthatway。’’
``Thereissuchathingaswinningawoman’slove，isn’tthere？’’saidhejestingly。ItwasdifficulttotellwhenStanleyBairdwasjestingandwhenhewasinearnest。
``Isthatwhatyouexpect？’’saidshegravely。
``IfIsayyes？’’
Sheloweredhereyesandlaughedinanembarrassedway。
Hewasfranklyamused。``Yousee，youfeelthatyou’reinmypower。Andyouare。Sowhynotmakethebestofit？’’Apause，thenhesaidabruptlyandwithaconvincingmanliness，``Ithink，Mildred，youcantrustmenottobeabeast。’’
Shecoloredandlookedathimwithquickcontrition。
``I’mashamedofmyself，’’saidshe。``PleaseforgetthatIsaidanything。I’lltakewhatImust，andI’llpayitbackassoonasIcan。And——thankyou，Stanley。’’
Thetearswereinhereyes。``IfIhadanythingworthyourtakingI’dbegladtogiveittoyou。Whatvainfoolswewomenare！’’
``Aren’tyou，though！’’laughedhe。``Andnowit’sallsettled——untilyou’reonthestage，andfree，andthemoney’spaidback——WITHinterest。Ishallchargeyousixpercent。’’
Whenshefirstknewhimshehadnotbeenintheleastimpressedbywhatnowseemedtoherhisfinestandraresttrait，for，inthosedaysshehadbeenasignorantoftherealitiesofhumannatureasonewhohasneveradventuredhisboatbeyondthemouthofthepeacefulland-lockedharborisignorantoftheopensea。Butinthehardyearsshehadbeenlearning——notonlyfromPresburyandGeneralSiddall，butfromthecookandthehousemaid，fromeverycreditor，everytradesman，everyonewhoseattitudesociallytowardherhadbeenmodifiedbyherchangedfortunes——andwhoseattitudehadnotbeenchanged？Thus，shewasnowabletoappreciate——atleastinsomemeasure——StanleyBaird’sdelicacyandtact。No，notdelicacyandtact，forthatimpliedeffort。Hisabilitytoputthisofferinsuchawaythatshecouldacceptwithoutseriousembarrassmentarosefromagenuineindifferencetomoneyasmoney，ahabitoflookinguponitsimplyasameanstoanend。Heofferedherthemoneypreciselyashewouldhaveofferedherhissuperiorstrengthifithadbeennecessarytocrossatoodeepandswiftcreek。Shehadthesensethathefelthewasdoingsomethingevenlessnotablethanheadmitted，andthathetalkedofitasavaluableandratherunusualservicesimplybecauseitwasthehabitthustoregardsuchmatters。
Astheytalkedonof``thegreatcareer’’herspiritswentupandup。Itwasevidentthathenowhadanewandkeeninterestinlife，thatshewasdoinghimagreaterfavorthanhewasdoingher。Hehadalwayshadmoney，plentyofit，morethanhecoulduse。Henowhadmorethanever——for，severalrichrelativeshaddiedand，afterthehabitoftherich，hadlefteverythingtohim，theoneofalltheconnectionswhoneededitleast。Hehadaveryhumanaversiontospendingmoneyuponpeopleorthingshedidnotlike。Hewouldhavefoughttothelastcourtanattemptbyhiswifetogetalimony。Hehadareputationwiththe``charitygang’’ofbeingstingybecausehewouldnotgivethemsomuchasthepriceofabazaarticket。
Also，theimpecuniousspongersathisclubsspreadhisfameasa``tight-wad’’becauseherefusedtoletthem``stickhimup’’forevenaroundofdrinks。Wheremanyareallystingymanyieldedthroughweaknessorfearofpublicopinion，hestoodfirm。Hisonenotablesurrenderofanykindhadbeenhismarriage。
thatbitterexperiencehadcuredhimofthesurrenderinghabitforalltime。Thenceforthhedidabsolutelyandineverythingashepleased。
Mildredhadheardthathewascloseaboutmoney。
Shehadallbutforgottenit，becauseherownexperiencewithhimhadmadesuchachargeseemridiculous。
Shenowassumed——sofarasshethoughtaboutitatall——thathewasextremelygenerous。Shedidnotrealizewhatafinediscriminatinggenerosityhiswas，orhowstrikinganevidenceofhisbeliefinheraswellasofhislikingforher。
Asherosetogohesaid：``Youmustn’tforgetthatourarrangementisasecretbetweenus。Neitherofuscanaffordtohaveanyoneknowit。’’
``Thereisn’tanyoneintheworldwhowouldn’tmisunderstandit，’’saidshe，withouttheleastfeelingofembarrassment。
``Justso，’’saidhe。``AndIwantyoutoliveinsuchawaythatIcancometocall。Wemustarrangethingssothatyouwilltakeyourownname——’’
``IintendtousethenameMaryStevensinmywork，’’sheinterrupted。
``Buttheremustn’tbeanyconcealment，anymysterytoexcitecuriosityandscandal——’’
Thistimetheinterruptionwasherexpression。Heturnedtoseewhathadstartledher，andsawinthedoorwayofthedrawing-roomthegrotesquelyneatandstylishfigureofthelittlegeneral。Beforeeithercouldspeakhesaid：
``Howd’youdo，Mr。Baird？You’llpardonmeifIaskyoutoleavemealonewithmyWIFE。’’
Stanleymetthesituationwithperfectcoolness。
``Howareyou，General？’’saidhe。``Certainly，I
wasjustgoing。’’HeextendedhishandtoMildred，saidinacorrecttoneofconventionalfriendliness，``Thenyou’llletmeknowwhenyou’resettled？’’Hebowed，movedtowardthedoor，shookhandswiththegeneral，andpassedout，givingfromstarttofinishamodelexampleofamanoftheworldextricatinghim-
selffromanimpossiblesituationandleavingitthebetterforhishavingbeenentangled。ToamanofSiddall’sincessantandclumsyself-consciousnesssuchunaffectedeasecouldnotbutbeproofpositiveofMildred’sinnocence——unlesshehadoverheard。Andhisfirstwordsconvincedherthathehadnot。Saidhe：
``Soyousentforyouroldadmirer？’’
``Iranacrosshimaccidentally，’’repliedMildred。
``Iknow，’’saidthelittlegeneral。``Mymenpickedyouupatthepierandhaven’tlostsightofyousince。
It’sfortunatethatI’vekeptmyselfinformed，orI
mighthavemisunderstoodthatchap’sbeinghere。’’A
queer，cloudylookcameintohiseyes。``Imustgivehimawarningforsafety’ssake。’’HewavedhishandindismissalofsuchanunimportanttrifleastheaccidentalBaird。Hewenton，hiswickedeyesbentcoldlyanddullyuponher：``Doyouknowwhatkindofahousethisis？’’
``StanleyBairdurgedmetoleave，’’repliedshe。
``ButIshallstayuntilIfindabetter——andthat’snoteasy。’’
``Yes，mymenhavereportedtomeonthedifficultiesyou’vehad。ItwascertainlyfortunateforyouthatIhadthemlookafteryou。OtherwiseI’dneverhaveunderstoodyourlandinginthissortofahouse。
Youarereadytocomewithme？’’
``YoursecretaryexplainedthatifIleftthehotelitwastheend。’’
``Hetoldyouthatbymyorders。’’
``Soheexplained，’’saidMildred。Sheseatedherself，overcomebyasuddenlassitudethatwasaccompaniednotbyfear，butbyindifference。``Won’tyousitdown？
Iamwillingtohearwhatyouhavetosay。’’
Thelittlegeneral，abouttosit，wassoastonishedthathestraightenedandstiffenedhimself。``InconsentingtooverlookyourconductandtakeyoubackIhavegonefartherthanIeverintended。Ihavetakenintoconsiderationyouryouthandinexperience。’’
``ButIamnotgoingback，’’saidMildred。
Thelittlegeneralslowlyseatedhimself。``Youhavelessthantwohundredandfiftydollarsleft，’’saidhe。
``Really？YourspiesknowbetterthanI。’’
``IhaveseenPresbury。Heassuresmethatinnocircumstanceswillheandyourmothertakeyouback。’’
``Theywillnothavethechancetorefuse，’’saidMildred。
``Asforyourbrother——’’
``Ihavenobrother，’’saidshecoldly。
``Thenyouarecomingbackwithme。’’
``No，’’saidMildred。``Ishould’’——shecastaboutforanimpressivealternative——``Ishouldstayonhere，rather。’’
Thelittlegeneral——hisneatvarnishedleatherandbe-spattedshoesjusttouchedthefloor——examinedhishighlypolishedtop-hatatseveralangles。Finallyhesaid：``Youneednotfearthatyourmisconductwillberememberedagainstyou。Ishalltreatyouineverywayasmywife。Ishallassumethatyour——yourflightwasanimpulsethatyouregret。’’
``Ishan’tgoback，’’saidMildred。``Nothingyoucouldofferwouldchangeme。’’
``Icannotmakeanyimmediateconcessiononthe——
thematterthatcausedyoutogo，’’pursuedhe，asifshehadnotspoken，``butifIseethatyouhavereliabilityandgoodsense，I’llagreetogiveyouanallowancelater。’’
Mildredeyedhimcuriously。``Whyareyoumakingtheseoffers，theseconcessions？’’shesaid。``Youthinkeveryoneintheworldisafoolexceptyourself。You’regreatlydeceived。Iknowthatyoudon’tmeanwhatyou’vebeensaying。Iknowthatifyougotmeinyourpoweragain，youwoulddosomethingfrightful。
I’veseenthroughthatmaskyouwear。Iknowthekindofmanyouare。’’