Thesewerefashionablewomen——mostdelicate，sensitiveladies——atwhomheswore。Theywept，stayedon，advertisedhimasa``wonderfulseriousteacherwhowon’tstandanynonsenseanddoesn’tcareahangwhetheryoustayorgo——andhecanteachabsolutelyanybodytosing！’’Heknewhowtobegentlewithoutseemingtobeso。heknewhowtoflatterwithoututteringasinglewordthatdidnotseemtobereluctantpraiseorsavagecriticism。heknewhowtomakealadywithalittlevoiceworkenoughtomakeashowingthatwouldspurhertokeeponandonwithhim。heknewhowtoencouragearichwomanwithnomoresongthanapeacockuntilshewouldcometohimthreetimesaweekformanyyears——andhowhedidmakeherpayforwhathesufferedinlisteningtothehideoussquawkingsandyelpingssheinflicteduponhim！
DidJenningsthinkhimselfafraud？Nomorethanthenexthumanbeingwholivesbyfraud。Isthereanytradeorprofessionwhosepractitioners，inthebottomoftheirhearts，donotthinktheyarelivingexcusablyandperhapscreditably？TheJenningstheorywasthathewasagreatteacher。thattherewereonlyaveryfewseriousandworth-whileseekersofthesingingart。
thatinordertoliveandtoteachthesefew，hehadtoreceivetheothers。that，anyhow，singingwasafineartforanyonetohaveandtakingsinginglessonsmadetheworstvoicealittlelessbad——or，attheleast，singingwassplendidforthehealth。Oneofhisfavoritedictawas，``Everychildshouldbetaughtsinging——
foritshealth，iffornothingelse。’’Andperhapshewasright！Atanyrate，hemadehisfortytofiftythousandayear——andondayswhenhehadasuccessionofthenoisy，tunelesssquawkers，hefeltthathemorethanearnedeverycentofit。
Mildreddidnotpenetratefarintothesecretofthemoney-makingbranchoftheJenningsmethod。Itwascrudeenough，too。Butarenotallthefraudsthatfoolthehumanracecrude？Humanbeingsbothcannotandwillnotlookbeneathsurfaces。AllMildredlearnedwasthatJenningsdidnotgiveuppayingpupils。
Shehadnotconfidenceenoughinthisdiscoverytoputittothetest。Shedidnotdaredisobeyhimorshirk——
evenwhenshewasmostdisposedtodoso。Butgraduallysheceasedfromthatintenseapplicationshehadatfirstbroughttoherwork。Shekeptuptheforms。
Shelearnedherlessons。Shedidallthatwasasked。
Sheseemedtobetoilingasinthebeginning。Inreality，shebecamebythemiddleofspringamerelesson-taker。
Herinterestinclothesandingoingaboutrevived。ShesawinthenewspapersthatGeneralSiddallhadtakenapartyoffriendsonayachtingtriparoundtheworld，soshefeltthatshewasnolongerbeingsearchedfor，atleastnotvigorously。Shebecameacquaintedwithsmart，richWestSidewomen，takinglessonsatJennings’s。Sheamusedherselfgoingaboutwiththemandwiththe``musical’’mentheyattracted——amateurandsemi-professionalsingersandplayersuponinstruments。
ShedrewMrs。Brindleyintotheirsociety。TheyhadlittlepartiesattheflatinFifty-ninthStreet——themostdelightfullittlepartiesimaginable——dinnersandsuppers，music，cleverconversations，flirtationsofaharmlessbutfascinatingkind。IfanyonehadaccusedMildredofneglectingherwork，offorgettinghercareer，shewouldhavegrownindignant，andifMrs。Brindleyhadoverheard，shewouldhavebeenindignantforher。
Mildredworkedasmuchasever。Shewasmakingexcellentprogress。Shewasdoingallthatcouldbedone。
Ittakestimetodevelopavoice，tomakeanopera-singer。
Forcingisdangerous，whenitisnotdownrightuseless。
InMay——towardtheendofthemonth——StanleyBairdreturned。Mildred，whohappenedtobeinunusuallygoodvoicethatday，sangforhimattheJenningsstudio，andhewasenchanted。AsthelastnotediedawayhecriedouttoJennings：
``She’sawonder，isn’tshe？’’
Jenningsnodded。``She’sgotavoice，’’saidhe。
``Sheoughttogoonnextyear。’’
``Notquitethat，’’saidJennings。``Wewanttogetthatupperregisterrightfirst。Andit’sayoungvoice——she’sveryyoungforherage。Wemustbecarefulnottostrainit。’’
``Why，what’savoiceforifnottosingwith？’’saidStanley。
``Afinevoiceisaverydelicateinstrument，’’repliedtheteacher。Headdedcoldly，``Youmustletmejudgeastowhatshallbedone。’’
``Certainly，certainly，’’saidStanleyinhaste。
``She’shadseveralcoldsthiswinterandspring，’’
pursuedJennings。``Thosethingsaredangerousuntilthevoicehasitsfullgrowth。Sheshouldhavetwomonths’completerest。’’
Jenningswasgoingawayforatwomonths’vacation。
Hewasgivingthisadvicetoallhispupils。
``You’reright，’’saidBaird。``Didyouhear，Mildred？’’
``ButIhatetostopwork，’’objectedMildred。``I
wanttobedoingsomething。I’mveryimpatientofthislongwait。’’
Andhonestshewasinthisprotest。Shehadnoideaofthestateofherownmind。Shefanciedshewasstillaseageraseverforthecareer，asintenselyinterestedaseverinherwork。Shedidnotdreamoftherealmeaningofhercontentwithhervoiceasitwas，ofherlackofuneasinessovertheappallingfactthatsuchvoiceasshehadwasunreliable，cameandwentfornoapparentreason。
``Absoluterestfortwomonths，’’declaredJenningsgrimly。``NotanoteuntilIreturninAugust。’’
Mildredgavearesignedsigh。
Thereismuchinveighingagainsthypocrisy，aviceunsightlyratherthandesperatelywicked。Andintheexcitementaboutititsdangerous，evendeadlynearkinsman，self-deception，escapesunassailed。Sevencardinalsins。butwhatoftheeighth？——theparentofalltheothers，theonebesidewhichthechildrenseemalmostwhite？
DuringthefirstfewweeksMildredhadbeencarefulaboutspendingmoney。Economyshedidnotunderstand。
howcouldshe，whenshehadneverhadalessoninitoravaluablehintaboutit？Soeconomywasimpossible。Theonlywayinwhichsuchpeoplecankeeporderintheirfinancesisbynotspendinganymoneyatall。Mildreddrewnothing，spentnothing。
This，solongasshegaveherwholemindtoherwork。
Butafterthefirstgreatcold，sodepressing，sosubtlyundermining，shebegantogoabout，tothinkof，toneedandtobuyclothes，tospendmoneyinadozennecessaryways。Afterall，shewassimplyborrowingthemoney。Presently，shewouldbemakingacareer，wouldbeearninglargesums。Shewouldpaybackeverything，withinterest。Stanleymeantforhertousethemoney。Really，sheoughttouseit。Howwouldhercareerbehelpedbyhergoingaboutlookingadowdandafrump？Shehadalwaysbeenusedtothecomfortsoflife。Ifshedeprivedherselfofthem，shewouldsurelygetintoaframeofmindwhereherworkwouldsuffer。No，shemustleadthenormallifeofawomanofherclass。Toworkallthetime——why，asJenningssaid，thattookawayallthefreshness，madeonestaleandunfit。Alittledistraction——always，ofcourse，withmusicalpeople，peoplewhotalkedandthoughtanddidmusic——thatsortofdistractionwasquiteasmuchapartofhereducationasthesinginglessons。Mrs。Brindley，certainlyasensibleandseriouswomanifevertherewasone——Mrs。Brindleybelievedso，anditmustbeso。
Afterthatillnessandbeforeshebegantogoabout，shehadfallenintoseveralfitsofhideousblues，hadbeenindespairastothefuture。Assoonasshesawsomethingofpeople——alwaysthevaluable，musicalsortofpeople——herspiritsimproved。Andwhenshegotafewnewdresses——verysimpleandinexpensive，butstylishandcharming——andthehats，too，weresuccessful——
assoonasshewasfreshlyarrayedshewassingingbetterandwastalkinghopefullyofthecareeragain。Yes，itwasreallynecessarythatsheliveasshehadalwaysbeenusedtoliving。
WhenStanleycamebackheraccountwasdrawnuptothelastcentoftheproportionateamount。Infact，itmighthavebeenafewdollars——ahundredorso——
overdrawn。Shewasnotsure。Still，thatwasasmallmatter。Duringthesummershewouldspendless，andbyfallshewouldbefaraheadagain——andreadytobuyfallclothes。Onedayhesaid：
``Youmustbeneedingmoremoney。’’
``Noindeed，’’criedshe。``I’vebeenlivingwithinthehundredaweek——ornearly。I’mafraidI’mfrightfullyextravagant，and——’’
``Extravagant？’’laughedhe。``Youareafraidtoborrow！Why，threeorfournightsofsingingwillpaybackallyou’veborrowed。’’
``IsupposeIWILLmakealotofmoney，’’saidshe。
``Theyalltellmeso。Butitdoesn’tseemrealtome。’’
Shehastilyadded：``Idon’tmeanthecareer。Thatseemsrealenough。Icanhardlywaittobeginattheroles。Imeanthemoneypart。Yousee，Ineverearnedanymoneyandneverreallyhadanymoneyofmyown。’’
``Well，you’llhaveplentyofitintwoorthreeyears，’’
saidStanley，confidently。``Andyoumustn’ttrytolivelikegirlswho’vebeenbroughtuptohardship。Itisn’tnecessary，anditwouldonlyunfityouforyourwork。’’
``Ithinkthat’strue，’’saidshe。``ButI’veenough——
morethanenough。’’Shegavehimanervous，shy，almostagonizedlook。``Pleasedon’ttrytoputmeunderanyheavierobligationsthanIhavetobe。’’
``Pleasedon’ttalknonsenseaboutobligation，’’
retortedhe。``Let’sgetawayfromthissubject。Youdon’tseemtorealizethatyou’redoingmeafavor，thatit’saprivilegetobeallowedtohelpdevelopsuchamarvelousvoiceasyours。Scoresofpeoplewouldjumpatthechance。’’
``Thatdoesn’tlessenmyobligation，’’saidshe。Andshethoughtshemeantit，though，infact，hisgenerousandplausiblestatementofthecasehadimmediatelylessenednotalittlehersenseofobligation。
Onthewhole，however，shewasnotsorryshehadthischancetotalkofobligation。Slowly，astheysaweachotherfromtimetotime，oftenalone，Stanleyhadbegun——perhapsinspiteofhimselfandunconsciously——toshowhisfeelingforher。Sometimeshishandaccidentallytouchedhers，andhedidnotdrawitawayasquicklyashemight。Andshe——itwasimpossibleforhertomakeanygesture，muchlesssayanything，thatsuggestedsensitivenessonherpart。Itwouldputhiminanawkwardposition，wouldhumiliatehimmostunjustly。Hefellintothehabitofholdingherhandlongerthanwasnecessaryatgreetingorparting，oftouchinghercaressingly，oflookingatherwiththeeyesofaloverinsteadofafriend。Shedidnotlikethesethings。Forsomemysteriousreason——fromsheerperversity，shethought——shehadtakenastrongphysicaldisliketohim。Perfectlyabsurd，fortherewasnothingintrinsicallyrepellentaboutthishandsome，clean，mostattractivelydressedman，ofthebesttypeofAmericanandNew-Yorker。No，onlyperversitycouldexplainsuchasillynotion。Shewasalwaysafraidhewouldtrytotakeadvantageofherdelicateposition——alwaysafraidshewouldhavetoyieldsomething，sometrifle。yettheideaofgivinganythingfromasenseofobligationwasgallingtoher。Hisveryrefrainingmadehermorenervous，themoreshrinking。
Ifhewouldonlycommitsomeovertact——seizeher，kissher，makeoutrageousdemands——butthisrefrain-
ing，thesetouchesthatmightbeaccidentalandagainmightbestealthyapproach——Shehatedtohavehimshakehandswithher，wouldhavelikedtodrawawaywhenhisclothingchancedtobrushagainsthers。
Soshewasgladofthetalkaboutobligation。Itsethimatadistance，immediately。Heceasedtolooklovingly，toindulgeinthenerve-raspinglittlecaresses。
Hebecamecarefullyformal。Hewasevidentlyeagertoprovethesincerityofhisprotestations——tooeagerperhaps，herperversemindsuggested。Still，sincereornot，heheldtoalltheformsofsincerity。
SomefriendsofMrs。Brindley’swhoweregoingabroadofferedhertheircottageontheNewJerseycoastnearSeabright，andabignewtouring-carandchauffeur。SheandMildredatoncegaveuptheplanforasummerintheAdirondacks，themorereadilyasseveralofthemenandwomentheysawthemostoflivedwithineasydistanceofthematDealBeachandElberon。WhenMildredwentshoppingshewasluredintobuyingalotofsummerthingsshewouldnothaveneededintheAdirondacks——amerematteroftwohundredandfiftydollarsorthereabouts。Alittleadditionaleconomyinthefallwouldsoonmakeupforsuchatrifle，andifthereisonetimemorethananotherwhenawomanwishestolookwellandmustlookwell，thattimeissummer——especiallybythesea。
WhenhermonthlystatementfromthebankcameonthefirstofJulyshefoundthatfivethousanddollarshadbeendepositedtohercredit。Shewasmovedbythisdiscoverytodevoteseveralhours——verydepressedhourstheywere——toherfinances。Shehadspentagreatdealmoremoneythanshehadthought。indeed，sinceMarchshehadbeenlivingattherateoffifteenthousandayear。Shetriedtoaccountforthisamazingextravagance。Butshecouldrecallnoexpenditurethatwasnotreallyalmost，ifnotquite，necessary。IttookafrightfullotofmoneytoliveinNewYork。
HowDIDpeoplewithsmallincomesmanagetogetalong？
WhateverwouldhavebecomeofherifshehadnothadthegoodlucktobeabletoborrowfromStanley？Whatwouldbecomeofherif，beforeshewassucceedingonthestage，Stanleyshoulddieorlosefaithinherorinterestinher？Whatwouldbecomeofher！Shehadbeenlivingtheselastfewmonthsamongpeoplewhohadwide-openeyesandkneweverythingthatwasgoingon——anddidsome``going-on’’themselves，asshewasnowmorethansuspecting。Thereweremanywomen，thousandsofthem——amongtheattractive，costilydressedthrongsshesawinthecarriagesandautosandcabs——whowouldnotliketohaveitpublishedhowtheycontrivedtolivesoluxuriously。No，theywouldnotliketohaveitpublished，thoughtheycarednotafigforitsbeingwhispered。NewYorktoothoroughlyunderstoodhownecessaryluxuriouslivingwas，andwastoocompletelydivestedofthefolliesoftheold-fashioned，straight-lacedmorality，tomindlittleshabbydetailsofqueerconductinstrivingtokeepupwiththeprocession。Eventhemarriedwomen，usingtheirhusbands——andlettingtheirhusbandsusethem——didnotfrownontheirregularitiesoftheirsisterslessfortunatelymarriedornotabletofindapermanent``legtopull。’’Asforthegirls——Mildredhadobservedstrangethingsinthelivesofthegirlssheknewmoreorlesswellnowadays。Infact，allthewomen，ofallclassesandconditions，wereengagedinthesamemadstruggletogetholdofmoneytospenduponfunandfinery——astrugglematchinginrecklessnessandresolutenessthestruggleofthemendown-townformoneyforthesamepurposes。Itwascurious，thisdoublemaniaofthemenandthewomen——themaniatogetmoney，nomatterhow。theinstantlysucceedingmaniatogetridofit，nomatterhow。Lookingabouther，Mildredfeltthatshewaspeculiarandapartfromnearlyallthewomensheknew。SHEgothermoneyhonorably。
SHEdidnotdegradeherself，didnotsellherself，didnotwheedleorcajoleorpretendintheleastdegree。ShehadgrownmoreliberalasheroutlookonlifehadwidenedwithcontactwiththeNewYorkmind——no，withthemindofthewholeeasy-going，luxury-mad，morality-scorningmodernworld。Shestillkeptherstandardforherselfhigh，andbelievedinapurityforherselfwhichshedidnotexactorexpectinherfriends。
InthisrespectsheandCyrillaBrindleyweresympatheticallyalike。No，Mildredwasconfidentthatinnocircumstances，inNOcircumstances，wouldsherelaxherideasofwhatshepersonallycoulddoandcouldnotdo。
Notthatsheblamed，orjudgedatall，womenwhodidasshewouldnot。butshecouldnot，simplycouldnot，howeverhardshemightbedriven，dothosethings——
thoughshecouldeasilyunderstandhowotherwomendidtheminpreferencetosinkingdownintotheworkingclassorekingoutafrowsyexistenceinsomepoorboarding-house。Thetemptationwouldbegreat。
ThankHeaven，itwasnotteasingher。Shewouldresistit，ofcourse。But——
WhatifStanleyBairdshouldloseinterest？Whatif，afterhelostinterest，sheshouldfindherselfwithoutmoney，worseofthanshehadbeenwhenshesoldherselfintoslavery——highlymoralandconventionallycorrectslavery，butstillslavery——tothelittlegeneralwiththepeakedpink-silknightcaphidingtheabsenceoftheremovedtoupee——andwiththewonderfulpink-silkpajamas，gorgeouslymonogramedinviolet——
andthetinyfeetanduglyhands——andthoseloathsomeneedle-pointedmustachesandthehideoushabitofmumblinghistongueandsmackinghislips？Whatif，moneyless，sheshouldnotbeabletofindanotherStanleyoramanoftheclassgentlemanwillingtohelphergenerouslyevenonANYterms？Whatthen？
Shewaslookingoutoverthesea，herbank-bookandstatementsandcanceledchecksinherlap。Theircottagewasattheveryedgeofthestrand。itsverandawasoftendampfromsprayafterastorm。Itwasnotstormingasshesatthere，``takingstock’’。underablueskyanalmosttranquilseawascrooningsoftlyinthesunlight，innocentandhappyandplayfulasachild。
She，dressedinacharmingnegligeeandlookingforwardtoamerrydayintheauto，withlunchanddinneratattractive，luxuriousplacesfartherdownthecoast——
shewasstrickenwithahorriblesadness，withaterrorthatmadeherheartbeatwildly。
``Imustbecrazy！’’shesaid，halfaloud。``I’veneverearnedadollarwithmyvoice。Andfortwomonthsithasbeenunreliable。I’mactinglikeacrazyperson。WhatWILLbecomeofme？’’
JustthenStanleyBairdcamethroughtheprettylittlehouse，seekingher。``Thereyouare！’’hecried。``Dogogetdressed。’’
Hastilysheflungascarfoverthebookandpapersinherlap。Shehadintendedtospeaktohimaboutthatfreshdepositoffivethousanddollars——torefuseit，torebukehim。Nowshedidnotdare。
``What’sthematter？’’hewenton。``Headache？’’
``Itwasthewineatdinnerlastnight，’’explainedshe。
``Ioughtnevertotouchredwine。Itdisagreeswithmehorribly。’’
``Thatwasfilthystuff，’’saidhe。``Youmusttakesomechampagneatlunch。That’llsetyouright。’’
Shestealthilywoundthescarfaboutthepapers。
Whenshefeltthatallweresecuresherose。Shewaslookingsweetandsadandpeculiarlybeautiful。Therewasanexquisitesheenonherskin。Shehadwashedherhairthatmorning，anditwasstrayingfascinatinglyaboutherbrowandearsandneck。Bairdlookedather，loweredhiseyesandcolored。
``I’llnotbelong，’’shesaidhurriedly。
Shehadtopasshimintherathernarrowdoorway。
Fromhergarmentsshookadeliciousperfume。Hecaughtherinhisarms。Thebloodhadflushedintohisfaceinatorrent，swellingouttheveins，givinghimadistortedandwildexpression。
``Mildred！’’hecried。``Saythatyoulovemealittle！I’msolonelyforyou——sohungryforyou！’’
Shegrewcoldwithfearandwithrepulsion。Sheneitheryieldedtohisembracenorshookitoff。Shesimplystood，herroundsmoothbodyhardthoughcorsetless。
Hekissedheronthethroat，kissedthelaceoverherbosom，cryingoutinarticulately。Inthefrenzyofhispassionhedidnotforawhilerealizeherlackofresponse。Ashefeltit，hisarmsrelaxed，droppedawayfromher，fellathisside。Hehunghishead。Hewasbreathingsoheavilythatsheglancedintothehouseapprehensively，fearingsomeoneelsemighthear。
``Ibegpardon，’’hemuttered。``Youweretoomuchformethismorning。Itwasyourfault。Youaremaddening！’’
Shemovedonintothehouse。
``Waitaminute！’’hecalledafterher。
Shehalted，hesitating。
``Comeback，’’hesaid。``I’vegotsomethingtosaytoyou。’’
Sheturnedandwentbacktotheveranda，heretreatingbeforeherandhiseyessinkingbeforethecold，clearblueofhers。
``You’regoingup，nottocomedownagain，’’hesaid。
``YouthinkI’veinsultedyou——thinkI’veactedoutrageously。’’
Howgladshewasthathehadsomisreadherthoughts——hadnotdiscoveredthefear，theweakness，thesuddencollapseofallherboastedconfidenceinherstrengthofcharacter。
``You’llneverfeelthesametowardmeagain，’’hewentfatuouslyon。``YouthinkI’mafraud。Well，I’lladmitthatIaminlovewithyou——havebeeneversincethesteamer——alwayswascrazyaboutthatmouthofyours——andyourfigure，andthesoundofyourvoice。I’lladmitI’manutterfoolaboutyou——respectyouandtrustyouasIneverusedtothinkanywomandeservedtoberespectedandtrusted。I’llevenadmitthatI’vebeenhoping——allsortsofthings。Iknewawomanlikeyouwouldn’tletamanhelpherunlessshelovedhim。’’
Atthisherheartbeatwildlyandablushofshamepouredoverherfaceandneck。Hedidnotsee。Hehadnotthecouragetolookather——tofacethatexpressionoftheviolatedgoddesshefeltconfidentherfacewaswearing。Inlove，hereasonedandfeltaboutherlikeaninexperiencedboy，allhisexperiencegoingfornothing。Hewenton：
``Iunderstandwecanneverbeanythingtoeachotheruntilyou’reonthestageandarrived。I’dnothaveitotherwise，ifIcould。ForIwantYOU，andI’dneverbelieveIhadyouunlessyouwerefree。’’
Thecolorwasfadingfromhercheeks。Atthisitflusheddeeperthanbefore。Shemustspeak。Nottospeakwastolie，wastoplaythehypocrite。Yetspeakshedarednot。AtleastStanleyBairdwasbetterthanSiddall。Anyhow，whowasshe，thathadbeenthewifeofSiddall，tobesofinicky？
``Youdon’tbelieveme？’’hesaidmiserably。``YouthinkI’llforgetmyselfsometimeagain？’’
``Ihopenot，’’shesaidgently。``Ibelievenot。I
trustyou，Stanley。’’
Andshewentintothehouse。Helookedafterher，inadmirationofthesweetandpurecalmofthisquietrebuke。Shetriedtotakethesameexaltedviewofitherself，butshecouldnotfoolherselfjustthenwiththefamiliar``goodwoman’’fake。Sheknewthatshehadstrucktheflagofself-respect。Sheknewwhatshewouldreallyhavedonehadhebeenlessdelicate，lessinlove，andmore``practical。’’Andshefoundasmallandpoorconsolationinreflecting，``Iwonderhowmanywomentherearewhotakehighgroundbecauseitcostsnothing。’’Wearepronetosuspecteverybodyofanyweaknesswefindinourselves——andperhapswearenotsofarwrongasarethosewhoacceptwithoutquestionthenoisyprotestationsofaworldofself-deceivers。
ThenceforthsheandStanleygotonbetterthanever——apparently。Butthoughsheignoredit，sheknewthetruth——knewhernewanddeepcontentwasduetohernothavingchallengedhisassertionthatshelovedhim。He，believingherhonestandhighminded，assumedthatthefailuretochallengewasagoodwoman’swayofadmitting。Butwiththedayofreckoning——
notonlywithhimbutalsowithherownself-
respect——putoffuntilthatvagueandremotetimewhensheshouldbeasuccessfulprimadonna，shegaveherselfuptoenjoyment。Thatwasasummerofrarelyfineweather，particularlyfinealongtheJerseycoast。They——alwaysingayparties——motoredupanddownthecoastandinland。Severalofthe``musical’’men——
notablyRichardsonofElberon——hadplentyofmoney。
Stanley，stoppingwithhiscousins，theFrasers，ontheRumsonRoad，broughtseveralofhisfriends，allrichandmoreorlessfree。AseverymomentofMildred’sdaywasfullandasitwasimpossiblenottosleepandsleepwellinthatoceanair，withthesurfsoothingthenervesasthelullabyofanursesoothesababy，shewasabletoputeverythingunpleasantoutofmind。Shewasrestinghervoice，wasbuildingupherhealth。
thereforethecareerwasbeingsteadilyadvancedandnotimewasbeingwasted。Shefeltsorryforthosewhohadtodounpleasantordisagreeablethingsinmakingtheircareers。Shetoldherselfthatshedidnotdeservehergoodfortuneinbeingabletoadvancetoabrilliantcareernotthroughhardshipbutoverthemostdelightfulroadimaginable——amusingherself，wearingcharmingandsatisfactoryclothes，swimminganddancing，motoringandfeasting。Withoutrealizingit，shewasstronglyunderthedelusionthatshewasherselfalreadyrich——theinevitabledelusionwithawomanwhenshemoveseasilyandfreelyandluxuriouslyabout，neverbotheredformoney，alwaysinthecompanyofrichpeople。Thericharefatedtodemoralizethosearoundthem。Thestingyrichfilltheirsatelliteswithenvyandhatred。Thegenerousrichfillthemwiththefeelingthatthelightbywhichtheyshineandtheheatwithwhichtheyarewarmarenotreflectedlightandheatbuttheirown。
Neverhadshebeensohappy。SheevendidnotespeciallymindDonaldKeith，afriendofStanley’sandofMrs。Brindley’s，who，muchtoooftentosuither，madeoneoftheparty。ShehadtriedinvaintodiscoverwhattherewasinKeiththatinspiredsuchintenselikingintwopeoplesowidelydifferentasexpansiveandemotionalStanleyBairdandreservedanddistinctlycoldCyrillaBrindley。Keithtalkedlittle，notonlyseemednottolistenwell，butshowedplainly，evenintete-a-teteconversations，thathisthoughtshadbeenelsewhere。
Hemadenopretenseofbeingotherthanhewas——anindifferentmanwhocamebecauseitdidnotespeciallymattertohimwherehewas。SometimeshissilenceandhisindifferenceannoyedMildred。again——thankstoherprofoundandrecklesscontentment——shewasabletoforgetthathewasalong。Heseemedtobeandprobablywasaboutfortyyearsold。Hisheadwasbeautifullyshaped，thelineofitsprofile——front，top，andback——beingperfectinintellectuality，strengthandsymmetry。Hewasratherunderthemediumheight，aboutthesameheightasMildredherself。Hewasextremelythinandlooselybuilt，andhisclothesseemedtohangawry，givinghimanairofslovenlinesswhichbecamesurprisingwhenonenotedhowscrupulouslyneatandcleanhewas。Hisbrownhair，considerablytingedwithrustygray，grewthinlyuponthatbeautifulhead。Hisskinwasdryandsmoothanddeadwhite。
This，takenwiththeclassicregularityofhisfeatures，gavehimanairoflifelessness，ofoneburntoutbythefireoftoomuchliving。butwhetherthelivinghadbeendonebyKeithhimselforbyhisimmediateancestorsappearancesdidnotdisclose。Thislookofpassionless，motionlessrepose，likeclassicsculpture，wassharplyandstartlinglybeliedbyapairofreallywonderfuleyes——
deeplyandintenselyblue，brilliant，allseeing，allcomprehending，eyesthatseemednevertosleep，seemedtheceaselesslyindustriousservantsofabrainthatbusieditselfwithoutpause。Thecontrastbetweenthedeadwhitecalmofhisface，thelistlessnessofhisrelaxedfigure，andthesevivideyes，sointenselyalive，gavetoDonaldKeith’spersonalityanuncanninessthatwasmostdisagreeabletoMildred。
``That’swhatfascinatesme，’’saidCyrilla，whentheywerediscussinghimoneday。
``Fascinates！’’exclaimedMildred。``He’stiresome——
whenheisn’trude。’’
``Rude？’’
``Notactivelyrudebut，worsestill，passivelyrude。’’
``HeistheonlymanI’veeverseenwithwhomIcouldimaginemyselffallinginlove，’’saidMrs。Brindley。
Mildredlaughedinderision。``Why，he’sadeadman！’’criedshe。
``Youdon’tunderstand，’’saidCyrilla。``You’veneverlivedwithaman。’’Sheforgotcompletely，asdidMildredherself，socompletelyhadMrs。Siddallreturnedtothemodesandthoughtsofagirl。``Athome——tolivewith——youwantonlyreposefulthings。ThatiswhytheGreeks，whoseinstinctswereunerring，hadsomuchreposefulstatuary。Onegrowswearyofagitatingobjects。Theysoonseemhystericalandshallow。
Thesamething’strueofpersons。Forpermanentloveandfriendshipyouwantreposefulmen——
calm，strong，silent。Theotherkindeitherwearyououtorwearthemselvesoutwithyou。’’
``Youforgethiseyes，’’putinStanley。``Didyoueverseesucheyes！’’
``Yes，thoseeyesofhis！’’criedMildred。``Youcertainlycan’tcallthemreposeful，Mrs。Brindley。’’
Mrs。Brindleydidnotseizetheopportunitytoconvictherofinconsistency。Saidshe：
``Iadmittheeyes。They’retheeyesofthekindofmanawomanwants，oranothermanwantsinhisfriend。
WhenKeithlooksatyou，youfeelthatyouareseeingtherarestbeingintheworld——anabsolutelyreliableperson。WhenIthinkofhimIthinkofreliable，justaswhenyouthinkofthesunyouthinkofbrightness。’’
``Ihadnoideaitwassoseriousasthis，’’teasedStanley。
``NorhadI，’’returnedCyrillaeasily，``untilIbegantotalkabouthim。Don’ttellhim，Mr。Baird，orhemighttakeadvantageofme。’’
TheideaamusedStanley。``Hedoesn’tcarearapaboutwomen，’’saidhe。``Ihearhehasletafewcareabouthimfromtimetotime，buthesoonceasedtobegood-natured。Hehatestobebored。’’
Ashecamejustthen，theyhadtofindanothersubject。Mildredobservedhimwithmoreinterest。ShehadlearnedtohaverespectforMrs。Brindley’sjudgments。Butshesoongaveoverwatchinghim。Thatprofoundcalm，thoseeyesconcentratingallthelifeofthemanlikeaburningglass——Shehadadisagreeablesenseofbeingseenthrough，eventohersecretestthought，ofbeingunderstoodandmeasuredandweighed——andfoundwanting。Itoccurredtoherforthefirsttimethatpartofthereasonforhernotlikinghimwasthebestofreasons——thathedidnotlikeher。
Thefirsttimeshewasleftalonewithhim，afterthisdiscovery，shehappenedtobeinanaudaciousandtalkativemood，andhislackofresponsefinallygoadedherintosaying：``WHYdon’tyoulikeme？’’Shecarednothingaboutit。shesimplywishedtohearwhathewouldsay——ifhecouldberousedintosayinganything。
Hewassittingonthestepsleadingfromtheverandatothesea——wassmokingacigaretteandgazingoutoverthewaveslikeagravenimage，asifhehadalwaysbeenposedthereandalwayswouldbethere，theembodimentofreposegazinginineffableindifferenceupontheembodimentofitsopposite。Hemadenoanswer。
``Iaskedyouwhyyoudonotlikeme，’’saidshe。
``Didyouhear？’’
``Yes，’’repliedhe。
Shewaited。nothingfurtherfromhim。Saidshe：
``Well，givemeoneofyourcigarettes。’’
Herose，extendedhiscase，thenalight。Hewasneverremissinthosekindsofpoliteness。Whenshewassmoking，heseatedhimselfagainanddroppedintotheformerattitude。Sheeyedhim，wonderinghowitcouldbepossiblethathehadenduredtheincrediblefatiguesandhardshipsStanleyBairdhadrelatedofhim——huntingandexploringexpeditionsintotropicsandintofrozenregions，mountainclimbs，wildseavoyagesinsmallboats，allwithnosignofbeingabletostandanything，yetalsowithnosignofbeinganymoredisturbedthannowinthisseasidelaziness。Stanleyhadshowedthemapictureofhimtakentwentyyearsandmoreagowhenhewasincollege。hehadlookedalmostthesamethen——perhapsalittleolder。
``Well，Iamwaiting，’’persistedshe。
Shethoughthewasabouttolookather——athinghehadneverdone，toherknowledge，sincetheyhadknowneachother。Shenervedherselftoreceivetheshock，withacertainflutterofexpectancy，ofexcitementeven。Butinsteadoflooking，hesettledhimselfinaslightlydifferentpositionandfixedhisgazeuponanotherpointinthehorizon。Shenotedthathehadsplendidhands——idealhandsforaman，withthesamesuggestionofintensevitalityandalivenessthatflashedfromhiseyes。Shehadnotnotedthisbefore。Nextshesawthathehadgoodfeet，andthathisbootswerehisonlyarticleofapparelthatfittedhim，orrather，thatlookedasifmadeforhim。
Shetossedhercigaretteovertherailtothesand。
Hestartledherbyspeaking，inhisunemotionalway。
Hesaid：
``Now，Ilikeyoubetter。’’
``Idon’tunderstand，’’saidshe。
Noanswerfromhim。Thecigarettedependinglistlesslyfromhislipsseemed——asusual——uncertainwhetheritwouldstayorfall。Shewatchedthisuncertaintywithacurious，nervousinterest。Shewasalwaysthinkingthatcigarettewouldfall，butitneverdid。
Saidshe：
``Whydidyousayyoulikedmeless？’’
``Better，’’correctedhe。
``Weusedtohaveapumpinourbackyardathome，’’
laughedshe。``Onetoiledawayatthehandle，butnothingevercame。Anditwasapromising-lookingpump，too。’’
Hesmiled——aslow，reluctantsmile，butundeniablyattractive。Saidhe：
``Becauseyouthrewawayyourcigarette。’’
``Youobjecttowomensmoking？’’
``No，’’saidhe。Histonemadeherfeelhowabsurditwastosuspecthimofsuchprovincialism。
``YouobjecttoMYsmoking？’’suggestedshe。
laughing，``Pump！Pump！’’
``No，’’saidhe。
``Thenyourremarkmeantnothingatall？’’
Hewassilent。
``Youarerude，’’saidshecoldly，risingtogointothehouse。
Hesaidsomething，whatshedidnothear，inheragitation。Shepausedandinquired：
``Whatdidyousay？’’
``Isaid，Iamnotrudebutkind，’’repliedhe。
``Thatisdetestable！’’criedshe。``Ihavenotlikedyou，butIhavebeenpolitetoyoubecauseofStanleyandMrs。Brindley。Whyshouldyoubeinsultingtome？’’
``WhathaveIdone？’’inquiredhe，unmoved。Hehadrisenassherose，butinsteadoffacingherhewasleaningagainstthepostoftheveranda，bentuponhisseawardvigil。
``Youhaveinsinuatedthatyourreasonsfornotlikingmewereareflectiononme。’’
``Youinsisted，’’saidhe。
``Youmeanthattheyare？’’demandedshefuriously。
Shewasamazedatherwild，unaccountablerage。
Heslowlyturnedhisheadandlookedather——aglancewithoutanyemotionwhatever，simplyalookthat，likethebeamofapowerfulsearchlight，seemedtothrustthroughfoganddarknessandtolightupeverythinginitspath。Saidhe：
``DoyouwishmetotellyouwhyIdon’tlikeyou？’’
``No！’’shecriedhysterically。``Nevermind——I
don’tknowwhatI’msaying。’’Andshewenthastilyintothehouse。Amomentlater，inherownroomupstairs，shewaswonderingatherself。Whyhadshebecomeconfused？Whatdidhemean？Whathadsheseen——orhalfseen——inthedarknessandfogwithinherselfwhenhelookedather？Inapassionshecried：
``Ifhewouldonlystayaway！’’
VI
BUThedidnotstayaway。HeownedandlivedinasmallhouseupontheRumsonRoad。Whilethehousewaslittlemorethanabungalowandhadasimplicitythatcompletelyhiditsraregoodtastefromtheaverageobserver，itsgroundswerethemostspaciousinthatneighborhoodofcostly，showyhousessetingroundsnotmuchmoreextensivethanacitybuildinglot。Thegroundshadbeenclearedanddrainedtodriveoutandtokeepouttheobnoxiousinsectlife，buthadbeenleftaforest，concealingthehousefromtheroads。StanleyBairdwasnowstoppingwithKeith，andbroughthimalongtothecottagebytheseaeveryday。
Thepartiesnarrowedtothesamefourpersons。Mrs。
BrindleyseemednevertotireoftalkingtoKeith——
ortotireoftalkingabouthimwhenthetwomenhadleft，lateeachnight。AsforStanley，hereferredeverythingtoKeith——theweatherprospects，wheretheyshouldgofortheday，whatshouldbeeatenanddrunk，anypointaboutpoliticsorfashion，lifeorliteratureorwhatnot，thathappenedtobediscussed。AndhelookeduponDonald’smonosyllabicreplytohisinquiryasafinaljudgment，endingallpossibilityofargument。
Mildredheldoutlong。Then，inspiteofherself，shebegantoyield，ceasedtodislikehim，foundakindofpleasure——or，perhaps，fascinatedinterest——inthenervousnesshissilentandindifferentpresencecausedher。Shelikedtowatchthatimmobile，perfectprofile，neitheryoungnorold，indeednotsuggestingageinanydegree，butonlyexperienceandknowledge——andaninfinitecapacityforemotion，forpassioneven。Thedead-whitecolordeclaredithadalreadybeenlived。
thebrilliant，usuallyavertedorveiledeyesassertedpresentvitality，pulsingunderacalmsurface。
OnedaywhenStanley，inthemannerofonewhowishesathingsettledandsettledright，saidhewouldaskDonaldKeithaboutit，Mildred，alittlepiqued，alittleamused，retorted：
``Andwhatwillheanswer？Why，simplyyesorno。’’
``That’sall，’’assentedStanley。``Andthat’squiteenough，isn’tit？’’
``Buthowdoyouknowhe’saswiseashepretends？’’
``Hedoesn’tpretendtobeanythingortoknowanything。That’spreciselyit。’’
MildredsuddenlybegantolikeKeith。Shehadneverthoughtofthisbefore。Yes，itwastrue，hedidnotpretend。Notintheleast，notaboutanything。Whenyousawhim，yousawatoncetheworsttherewastosee。Itwasafterwardthatyoudiscoveredhewasnotslovenly，butcleanandneat，notbadlybutwelldressed，nothomelybuthandsome，notsicklybutsoundlywell，notphysicallyweakbutstrong，notdullbutvividlyalive，notatiresomevoidbutanunfathomablemystery。
``Whatdoeshedo？’’sheaskedMrs。Brindley。
Cyrilla’susuallypositivegrayeyeslookedvague。
Shesmiled。``Ineverasked，’’saidshe。``I’veknownhimnearlythreeyears，anditneveroccurredtometoask，ortowonder。Isn’tthatstrange？Usuallyaboutthefirstinquirywemakeiswhatamandoes。’’
``I’llaskStanley，’’saidMildred。Andshedidaboutanhourlater，whentheywereinthesurftogether，withtheothertwooutofearshot。SaidStanley：
``He’salawyer，ofcourse。Also，he’swrittenanovelortwoandabookofpoems。I’veneverreadthem。
Somehow，Inevergetaroundtoreading。’’
``Oh，he’salawyer？That’sthewayhemakeshisliving。’’
``Aqueerkindoflawyer。Henevergoestocourt，andhisclientsarealmostallotherlawyers。Theygotohimtogethimtotellthemwhattodo，andwhatnottodo。He’sgotabigreputationamonglawyers，FredNormantellsme，butmakescomparativelylittle，asheeithercan’torwon’tchargewhatheought。I
toldhimwhatNormansaid，andheonlysmiledinthatqueerwayhehas。Isaid：`Youmaketwentyorthirtythousandayear。Yououghttomaketentimesthat。’’’
``Andwhatdidheanswer？’’askedMildred。``Nothing？’’
``Hesaid：`ImakeallIwant。IfItookinmore，I’dbebotheredgettingridofitorinvestingit。IcanalwaysmakeallI’llwant——unlessIgocrazy。Andwhatcouldacrazymandowithmoney？Itdoesn’tcostanythingtoliveinalunaticasylum。’’’
Severalitemsofinteresttoaddtothoseshehadcollected。Hecouldtalkbrilliantly，buthepreferredsilence。Hecouldmakehimselfattractivetowomenandtomen，buthepreferredtobedetached。Hecouldbeagreatlawyer，buthepreferredthequietofobscurity。
Hecouldbearichman，buthepreferredtobecomparativelypoor。
SaidMildred：``Isupposesomewoman——somedisappointmentinlove——haskilledambition，andeverythinglikethat。’’
``Idon’tthinkso，’’repliedBaird。``Themenwhoknewhimasaboysayhewasalwaysasheisnow。HelivedintheArabiandesertfortwoyears。’’
``Whydidn’thestay？’’laughedMildred。``Thatlifewouldexactlysuithim。’’
``Itdid，’’saidStanley。``Buthisfatherdied，andhehadtocomehomeandsupporthismother——untilshedied。That’sthewayhiswholelifehasbeen。
Hedriftsinthecurrentofcircumstances。Hemightlethimselfbeblownawayto-morrowtotheotherendoftheearthandstayawayyears——ornevercomeback。’’
``Buthowwouldhelive？’’
``Onhiswits。Andaswelloraspoorlyashecared。
He’sthesortofmaneveryoneinstinctivelyasksadviceof——me，you，hisvalet，thefarmerwhomeetshimataboundaryfence，thefellowwhositsnesthiminatrain——anyone。’’
Mildreddidnotmerelyceasetodislikehim。shewentfarther，andrapidly。Shebegantolikehim，tocircleroundthattantalizing，indolentmysteryasadeeraboutaqueerbitofbrushintheundergrowth。Shelikedtowatchhim。Shewasalternatelyafraidtotalkbeforehimandrecklesslyconfidential——allwithnoresponseorsignofinterestfromhim。Ifshewassilent，whentheywerealonetogether，hewassilent，too。Ifshetalked，stillhewassilent。WhatWAShethinkingabout？
Whatdidhethinkofher？——thatespecially。
``WhatAREyouthinking？’’sheinterruptedherselftosayoneafternoonastheysattogetheronthestrandunderabigsunshade。Shehadbeentalkingonandonabouthercareer——talkingconceitedly，ashersubjectintoxicatedher——tellinghimwhattriumphsawaitedherassoonassheshouldbereadytodebut。Ashedidnotanswer，sherepeatedherquestion，adding：
``Iknewyouweren’tlisteningtome，orIshouldn’thavehadthecouragetosaythefoolishthingsIdid。’’
``No，Iwasn’t，’’admittedhe。
``Whynot？’’
``Forthereasonyougave。’’
``ThatwhatIsaidwas——justtalk？’’
``Yes。’’
``Youdon’tbelieveI’lldothosethings？’’
``Doyou？’’
``I’veGOTtobelieveit，’’saidshe。``IfIdidn’t——’’
Shecametoafullstop。
``Ifyoudidn’t，thenwhat？’’Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverflatteredherwithinterestenoughtoaskheraquestionaboutherself。
``IfIdidn’tbelieveIwasgoingtosucceed——andsucceedbig——’’shebegan。Afterapause，sheadded，``I’dnotdaresayit。’’
``Orthinkit，’’saidhe。
Shecolored。``Whatdoyoumean？’’sheasked。
Hedidnotreply。
``Whatdoyoumean，Mr。Keith？’’sheurged。
``Youarealwaysaskingmequestionstowhichyoualreadyknowtheanswer，’’saidhe。
``You’rereferringtoaweekorsoago，whenIaskedyouwhyyoudislikedme？’’
Noanswer。Nosignofhavingheard。Nooutwardsignofinterestinanything，eveninthecigarettedroopingfromthecornerofhismouth。
``Wasn’tthatit？’’sheinsisted。
``Youarealwaysaskingmequestionstowhichyoualreadyknowtheanswer，’’repeatedhe。
``Iamannoyingyou？’’
Noanswer。
Shelaughed。``Doyouwantmetogoawayandleaveyouinpeacewiththat——lawcase——orwhateveritis？’’
``Idon’tliketobealone。’’
``Butanyonewoulddo？——adog？’’
Noreply。
``Youmean，adogwouldbebetterbecauseitdoesn’taskquestionstowhichitknowstheanswer。’’
Noreply。
``Well，Ihaveapleasant-soundingvoice。AsI’msayingnothing，itmaybesoothing——likethesoundofthewaves。I’velearnedtotakeyouasyouare。I
ratherlikeyourpose。’’
Noreply。Nosignthathewaseventemptedtorisetothisbaitandprotest。
``Butyoudon’tlikemine，’’shewenton。``Yes，itisapose。ButI’vegottokeepitup，andtopretendtomyselfthatitisn’t。Anditisn’taltogether。Ishallbeasuccessfulsinger。’’
``When？’’saidhe。Actuallyhewaslistening！
Sheanswered：``In——abouttwoyears，Ithink。’’
Nocomment。
``Youdon’tbelieveit？’’
``Doyou？’’Apause。``Whyaskthesequestionsyou’vealreadyansweredyourself？’’
``I’lltellyouwhy，’’repliedshe，herfacesuddenlyflushedwithearnestness。``BecauseIwantyoutohelpme。Youhelpeveryoneelse。Whynotme？’’
``Youneveraskedme，’’saidhe。
``Ididn’tknowIwantedituntiljustnow——asI
saidit。ButYOUmusthaveknown，becauseyouaresomuchmoreexperiencedthanI——andunderstandpeople——what’sgoingonintheirminds，deeperthantheycansee。’’Hertonebecameindignant，reproachful。
``Yes，youmusthaveknownIneededyourhelp。
Andyououghttohavehelpedme，evenifyoudiddislikeme。You’venorighttodislikeanyoneasyoungasI。’’
Hewaslookingathernow，theintenselyaliveblueeyessympathetic，penetrating，understanding。Itwasfrightfultobesothoroughlyunderstood——allone’sweaknesseslaidbare——yetitwasareliefandajoy，too——likethecruelhealingknifeofthesurgeon。Saidhe：
``Idonotlikekeptwomen。’’
Shegasped，grewghastly。Itwasafrightfulinsult，oneforwhichshewaswhollyunprepared。``You——
believe——that？’’shesaidslowly。
``Anotherofthosequestions，’’hesaid。Andhelookedcalmlyaway，outoverthesea，asifhisinterestintheconversationwereatanend。
Whatshouldshesay？Howdeny——howconvincehim？Forconvincehimshemust，andthengoawayandneverpermithimtospeaktoheragainuntilhehadapologized。Shesaidquietly：``Mr。Keith，youhaveinsultedme。’’
``Idonotlikekeptwomen，eitherwithorwithoutalicense，’’saidheinthesameeven，indifferentway。
``Whenyouceasedtobeakeptwoman，Iwouldhelpyou，ifIcould。Butnoonecanhelpakeptwoman。’’
Therewasnothingtodobuttoriseandgoaway。
Sheroseandwenttowardthehouse。Attheverandashepaused。Hehadnotmoved。Shereturned。Hewasstillinspectingthehorizon，thecigarettedependingfromhislips——howDIDhekeepitalight？Shesaid：
``Mr。Keith，Iamsureyoudidnotmeantoinsultme。
Whatdidyoumean？’’
``Anotherofthosequestions，’’saidhe。
``Honestly，Idonotunderstand。’’
``Thenthink。Andwhenyouhavethought，youwillunderstand。’’
``ButIhavethought。Idonotunderstand。’’
``Thenitwouldbeuselesstoexplain，’’saidhe。
``Thatisoneofthosevitalthingswhich，ifonecannotunderstandthemforoneself，oneishopeless——isbeyondhelping。’’
``YoumeanIamnotinearnestaboutmycareer？’’
``Anotherofthosequestions。IfyouhadnotseenclearlywhatImeant，youwouldhavebeenreallyoffended。You’dhavegoneawayandnotcomeback。’’
Shesawthatthiswastrue。And，seeing，shewonderedhowshecouldhavebeensostupidasnottohaveseenitatonce。Shehadyettolearnthatoverlookingtheobviousisauniversalhumanfailingandthatseeingtheobviousisthetalentandtheuseofthesuperiorofearth——thefewwhodominateanddeterminetherace。
``Youreproachmefornothavinghelpedyou，’’hewenton。``Howdoesithappenthatyouareuneasyinmind——souneasythatyouarequarrelingatme？’’
Alightbrokeuponher。``Youhavebeendrawingmeon，fromthebeginning，’’shecried。``Youhavebeenhelpingme——makingmeseethatIneededhelp。’’
``No，’’saidhe。``I’vebeenwaitingtoseewhetheryouwouldrousefromyourdreamofgrandeur。’’
``YOUhavebeenrousingme。’’
``No，’’hesaid。``You’verousedyourself。Soyoumaybeworthhelpingor，rather，worthencouraging，fornoonecanHELPyoubutyourself。’’
Shelookedathimpathetically。``ButwhatshallI
do？’’sheasked。``I’vegotnomoney，noexperience，nosense。I’mavain，luxury-lovingfool，cursedwitha——witha——isitaconscience？’’
``Ihopeit’ssomethingmoresubstantial。Ihopeit’scommonsense。’’
``ButIhavebeenworking——honestlyIhave。’’
``Don’tbeginlyingtoyourselfagain。’’
``Don’tbeharshwithme。’’
Hedrewinhislegs，inpreparationforrising——nodoubttogoaway。
``Idon’tmeanthat，’’shecriedtestily。``Youarenotharshwithme。It’sthetruththat’sharsh——thetruthI’mbeginningtosee——andfeel。Iamafraid——
afraid。Ihaven’tthecouragetofaceit。’’
``Whywhine？’’saidhe。``There’snothinginthat。’’
``Doyouthinkthere’sanyhopeforme？’’
``Thatdepends，’’saidhe。
``Onwhat？’’
``Onwhatyouwant。’’
``Iwanttobeasinger，agreatsinger。’’
``No，there’snohope。’’
Shegrewcoldwithdespair。Hehadawayofsayingathingthatgaveitthefullweightofaverdictfromwhichtherewasnoappeal。
``Now，ifyouwantedtomakealiving，’’hewenton，``andifyouweredeterminedtolearntosingaswellasyoucould，withtheideathatyoumightbeabletomakealiving——why，thentheremightbehope。’’
``YouthinkIcansing？’’
``Ineverheardyou。Canyou？’’
``TheysayIcan。’’
``WhatdoYOUsay？’’
``Idon’tknow，’’sheconfessed。``I’veneverbeenabletojudge。SometimesIthinkI’msingingwell，andIfindoutafterwardthatI’vesungbadly。Again，it’stheotherway。’’
``Then，obviously，what’sthefirstthingtodo？’’
``Tolearntojudgemyself，’’saidshe。``Ineverthoughtofitbefore——howimportantthatis。DoyouknowJennings——EugeneJennings？’’
``Thesingingteacher？No。’’
``Isheagoodteacher？’’
``No。’’
``Whynot？’’
``Becausehehasnottaughtyouthatyouwillneversinguntilyouareyourownteacher。Becausehehasnottaughtyouthatsingingisasmallandminorpartofacareerasasinger。’’
``Butitisn’t，’’protestedshe。
Alongsilence。Lookingathim，shefeltthathehaddismissedherandheraffairsfromhismind。
``Isit？’’shesaid，tobringhimback。
``What？’’askedhevaguely。
``Yousaidthatasingerdidn’thavetobeabletosing。’’
``DidI？’’Heglanceddowntheshoretowardthehouse。``Itfeelslikelunch-time。’’Herose。
``Whatdidyoumeanbywhatyousaid？’’
``Whenyouhavethoughtaboutyourcaseawhilelonger，we’lltalkofitagain——ifyouwish。Butuntilyou’vethought，talkingisawasteoftime。’’
Sherose，stoodstaringouttosea。Hewasobservingher，afaintsmileabouthislips。Hesaid：
``Whybotheraboutacareer？Afterall，keptwomanisathoroughlyrespectableoccupation——orcanbemadesobyanypreacherorjusticeofthepeace。
It’sfollowedbymanyofourbestwomen——thosewhopridethemselvesontheirhighcharacters——andontheirpride。’’
``IcouldnotbelongtoamanunlessIcaredforhim，’’
saidshe。``Itrieditonce。Ishallneverdoitagain。’’
``Thatsoundsfine，’’saidhe。``Let’sgotolunch。’’
``Youdon’tbelieveme？’’
``Doyou？’’
Shesankdownuponthesandandburstintoawildpassionofsobsandtears。Whenherfightforself-
controlwasoverandshelookeduptoapologizeforherpitifulexhibitionofweakness——andtonotewhethershehadmadeanimpressionuponhissympathies——shesawhimjustenteringthehouse，aquarterofamileaway。Toangersucceededamoodofdesperateforlornness。Shefelluponherselfwithgloomyferocity。
Shecouldnotsing。Shehadnobrains。Shewastakingmoney——adisgracefullylargeamountofmoney——
fromStanleyBairdunderfalsepretenses。Howcouldshehopetosingwhenhervoicecouldnotbereliedupon？
Wasnotherthroatatthatverymomentslightlysore？
Wasitnotalwaysgoingqueer？She——sing！Absurd。
DidStanleyBairdsuspect？Washewaitingforthetimewhenshewouldgladlyacceptwhatshemusthavefromhim，onhisownterms？No，notonhisterms，butonthetermssheherselfwouldarrange——
theonlytermsshecouldmake。No，Stanleybelievedinherabsolutely——believedinhercareer。Whenhediscoveredthetruth，hewouldloseinterestinher，wouldregardherasapoor，worthlesscreature，wouldbeeagertoridhimselfofher。Insteadofreturningtothehouse，shewentintheoppositedirection，madeacircuitandburiedherselfinthewoodsbeyondtheShrewsbury。Shewasmadtogetawayfromherowncompany。buttheonlycompanyshecouldflytowasmoredepressingthanthesolitudeandthetauntandsneerandlashofherownthoughts。Itwaslateintheafternoonbeforeshenervedherselftogohome。Shehopedtheotherswouldhavegoneoffsomewhere。buttheywerewaitingforher，StanleyanxiousandCyrillaBrindleyirritated。HereyessoughtKeith。Hewas，asusual，theindifferentspectator。
``Wherehaveyoubeen？’’criedStanley。
``Makingupmymind，’’saidsheinthetonethatforewarnsofastorm。
Abriefpause。ShestruggledinvainagainstanimpulsetolookatKeith。Whenhereyesturnedinhisdirectionhe，notlookingather，movedinhislistlesswaytowardthedoor。Saidhe：
``Theauto’swaiting。Comeon。’’
Shevacillated，yielded，begantoputonthewrapsStanleywascollectingforher。Itwasabigtouring-
car，andtheysattwoandtwo，withthechauffeuralone。