Contrary Mary

Mary's head went up. "I am not asking what Gordon thinks. What do you

think?"

"I think as Gordon does." Then as Mary made a little impatient

gesture, she added, "Gordon is very wise. At first it seemed to me

that he was--harsh, in his judgment of Barry. But he knows so much of

men--and he says that here, in town, among his old associations--Barry

will never be different. And it isn't fair to Leila."

Mary knew that it was not fair to Leila. She had always known it. Yet

she was stubbornly resentful of the fact that Gordon Richardson should

be, as it were, the arbiter of Barry's destiny.

"Oh, it is all such a muddle, Con," she said, and put the question

aside. "We won't talk about it just now. There is so much else to

say--and it is lovely to have you back, dearest--and you are so lovely."

Constance was curled up on Mary's couch, resting after her journey. "I

am so happy, Mary. No woman knows anything about it, until she has had

it for herself. A man's strength is so wonderful--and Gordon's care of

me--oh, Mary, if there were only another man in the world for you like

Gordon I should be perfectly content."

It was a fervent gentle echo of Aunt Frances' demand upon her, and Mary

suppressing her raging jealousy of the man who had stolen her sister,

asked somewhat wistfully, "Can you talk about me, for a minute, and

forget that you have a husband?"

"I don't need to forget Gordon," was the serene response. "I can keep

him in the back of my mind."

Mary picked up her pen, and underscored "Soup"; then: "Constance,

darling," she said, "would you feel dreadfully if I went to work?"

"What kind of work, Mary?"

"In one of the departments,--as stenographer."

"But you don't know anything about it."

"Yes, I do, I've been studying ever since you went away."

"But why, Mary?"

"Because--oh, can't you see, Constance? I can't be sure of--Barry--for

future support. And I won't go with Aunt Frances. And this house is

simply eating up the little that father left us. When you married, I

thought the rental of the Tower Rooms would keep things going, but it

won't. And I won't sell the house. I love every old stick and stone

of it. And anyhow, must I sit and fold my hands all the rest of my

life just because I am a woman?"