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。’’