English
I
Graysteelthatseemsunmovingbecauseitspinssofastinthebalancedfly–wheel,graysnowinanavenueofelms,graydawnwiththesunbehindit—thiswasthegrayofVidaSherwin'slifeatthirty–six.
Shewassmallandactiveandsallow;heryellowhairwasfaded,andlookeddry;herbluesilkblousesandmodestlacecollarsandhighblackshoesandsailorhatswereasliteralanduncharmingasaschoolroomdesk;buthereyesdeterminedherappearance,revealedherasapersonageandaforce,indicatedherfaithinthegoodnessandpurposeofeverything.
Theywereblue,andtheywereneverstill;theyexpressedamusement,pity,enthusiasm.
Ifshehadbeenseeninsleep,withthewrinklesbesidehereyesstilledandthecreasedlidshidingtheradiantirises,shewouldhavelostherpotency.
Shewasborninahill–smotheredWisconsinvillagewhereherfatherwasaprosyminister;shelaboredthroughasanctimoniouscollege;shetaughtfortwoyearsinaniron–rangetownofblurry–facedTatarsandMontenegrins,andwastesofore,andwhenshecametoGopherPrairie,itstreesandtheshiningspaciousnessofthewheatprairiemadehercertainthatshewasinparadise.
Sheadmittedtoherfellow–teachersthattheschoolbuildingwasslightlydamp,butsheinsistedthattheroomswere"arrangedsoconveniently—andthenthatbustofPresidentMcKinleyattheheadofthestairs,it'salovelyart–work,andisn'titaninspirationtohavethebrave,honest,martyrpresidenttothinkabout!"
ShetaughtFrench,English,andhistory,andtheSophomoreLatinclass,whichdealtinmattersofametaphysicalnaturecalledIndirectDiscourseandtheAblativeAbsolute.
Eachyearshewasreconvincedthatthepupilswerebeginningtolearnmorequickly.
ShespentfourwintersinbuildinguptheDebatingSociety,andwhenthedebatereallywaslivelyoneFridayafternoon,andthespeakersofpiecesdidnotforgettheirlines,shefeltrewarded.
Shelivedanengrossedusefullife,andseemedascoolandsimpleasanapple.
Butsecretlyshewascreepingamongfears,longing,andguilt.
Sheknewwhatitwas,butshedarednotnameit.
Shehatedeventhesoundoftheword"sex."
Whenshedreamedofbeingawomanoftheharem,withgreatwhitewarmlimbs,sheawoketoshudder,defenselessintheduskofherroom.
SheprayedtoJesus,alwaystotheSonofGod,offeringhimtheterriblepowerofheradoration,addressinghimastheeternallover,growingpassionate,exalted,large,asshecontemplatedhissplendor.
Thusshemountedtoenduranceandsurcease.
Byday,rattlingaboutinmanyactivities,shewasabletoridiculeherblazingnightsofdarkness.
Withspuriouscheerfulnesssheannouncedeverywhere,"IguessI'mabornspinster,"and"Noonewillevermarryaplainschoolma'amlikeme,"and"Youmen,greatbignoisybothersomecreatures,wewomenwouldn'thaveyouroundtheplace,dirtyingupnicecleanrooms,ifitwasn'tthatyouhavetobepettedandguided.Wejustoughttosay'Scat!'toallofyou!"
Butwhenamanheldhercloseatadance,evenwhen"Professor"GeorgeEdwinMottpattedherhandpaternallyastheyconsideredthenaughtinessesofCyBogart,shequivered,andreflectedhowsuperiorshewastohavekepthervirginity.
Intheautumnof1911,ayearbeforeDr.WillKennicottwasmarried,Vidawashispartneratafive–hundredtournament.
Shewasthirty–fourthen;Kennicottaboutthirty–six.
Toherhewasasuperb,boyish,divertingcreature;alltheheroicqualitiesinamanlymagnificentbody.
TheyhadbeenhelpingthehostesstoservetheWaldorfsaladandcoffeeandgingerbread.
Theywereinthekitchen,sidebysideonabench,whiletheothersponderouslysuppedintheroombeyond.
Kennicottwasmasculineandexperimental.HestrokedVida'shand,heputhisarmcarelesslyabouthershoulder.
"Don't!"shesaidsharply.
"You'reacunningthing,"heoffered,pattingthebackofhershoulderinanexploratorymanner.
Whileshestrainedaway,shelongedtomovenearertohim.Hebentover,lookedatherknowingly.
Sheglanceddownathislefthandasittouchedherknee.
Shesprangup,startednoisilyandneedlesslytowashthedishes.Hehelpedher.
Hewastoolazytoadventurefurther—andtoousedtowomeninhisprofession.
Shewasgratefulfortheimpersonalityofhistalk.Itenabledhertogaincontrol.
Sheknewthatshehadskirtedwildthoughts.
Amonthafter,onasleighing–party,underthebuffalorobesinthebob–sled,hewhispered,"Youpretendtobeagrown–upschoolteacher,butyou'renothingbutakiddie."Hisarmwasabouther.Sheresisted.
"Don'tyoulikethepoorlonelybachelor?"heyammeredinafatuousway.
"No,Idon't!Youdon'tcareformeintheleast.You'rejustpractisingonme."
"You'resomean!I'mterriblyfondofyou."
"I'mnotofyou.AndI'mnotgoingtoletmyselfbefondofyou,either."
Hepersistentlydrewhertowardhim.Sheclutchedhisarm.
Thenshethrewofftherobe,climbedoutofthesled,racedafteritwithHarryHaydock.
Atthedancewhichfollowedthesleigh–rideKennicottwasdevotedtothewateryprettinessofMaudDyer,andVidawasnoisilyinterestedingettingupaVirginiaReel.
WithoutseemingtowatchKennicott,sheknewthathedidnotoncelookather.
Thatwasallofherfirstlove–affair.
Hegavenosignofrememberingthathewas"terriblyfond."
Shewaitedforhim;shereveledinlonging,andinasenseofguiltbecauseshelonged.
Shetoldherselfthatshedidnotwantpartofhim;unlesshegaveherallhisdevotionshewouldneverlethimtouchher;andwhenshefoundthatshewasprobablylying,sheburnedwithscorn.Shefoughtitoutinprayer.
Shekneltinapinkflannelnightgown,herthinhairdownherback,herforeheadasfullofhorrorasamaskoftragedy,whilesheidentifiedherlovefortheSonofGodwithherloveforamortal,andwonderedifanyotherwomanhadeverbeensosacrilegious.
Shewantedtobeanunandobserveperpetualadoration.
Sheboughtarosary,butshehadbeensobitterlyrearedasaProtestantthatshecouldnotbringherselftouseit.
Yetnoneofherintimatesintheschoolandintheboarding–houseknewofherabyssofpassion.Theysaidshewas"sooptimistic."
WhensheheardthatKennicottwastomarryagirl,pretty,young,andimposinglyfromtheCities,Vidadespaired.
ShecongratulatedKennicott;carelesslyascertainedfromhimthehourofmarriage.
Atthathour,sittinginherroom,VidapicturedtheweddinginSt.Paul.
Fullofanecstasywhichhorrifiedher,shefollowedKennicottandthegirlwhohadstolenherplace,followedthemtothetrain,throughtheevening,thenight.
Shewasrelievedwhenshehadworkedoutabeliefthatshewasn'treallyshameful,thattherewasamysticalrelationbetweenherselfandCarol,sothatshewasvicariouslyyetveritablywithKennicott,andhadtherighttobe.
ShesawCarolduringthefirstfiveminutesinGopherPrairie.
Shestaredatthepassingmotor,atKennicottandthegirlbesidehim.
InthatfogworldoftransferenceofemotionVidahadnonormaljealousybutaconvictionthat,sincethroughCarolshehadreceivedKennicott'slove,thenCarolwasapartofher,anastralself,aheightenedandmorebelovedself.
Shewasgladofthegirl'scharm,ofthesmoothblackhair,theairyheadandyoungshoulders.Butshewassuddenlyangry.
Carolglancedatherforaquarter–second,butlookedpasther,atanoldroadsidebarn.
Ifshehadmadethegreatsacrifice,atleastsheexpectedgratitudeandrecognition,Vidaraged,whileherconsciousschoolroommindfussilybeggedhertocontrolthisinsanity.
Duringherfirstcallhalfofherwantedtowelcomeafellowreaderofbooks;theotherhalfitchedtofindoutwhetherCarolknewanythingaboutKennicott'sformerinterestinherself.
ShediscoveredthatCarolwasnotawarethathehadevertouchedanotherwoman'shand.
Carolwasanamusing,naive,curiouslylearnedchild.
WhileVidawasmostactivelydescribingthegloriesoftheThanatopsis,andcomplimentingthislibrarianonhertrainingasaworker,shewasfancyingthatthisgirlwasthechildbornofherselfandKennicott;andoutofthatsymbolizingshehadacomfortshehadnotknownformonths.
Whenshecamehome,aftersupperwiththeKennicottsandGuyPollock,shehadasuddenandratherpleasantbackslidingfromdevotion.
Shebustledintoherroom,sheslammedherhatonthebed,andchattered,"Idon'tCARE!
I'malotlikeher—exceptafewyearsolder.
I'mlightandquick,too,andIcantalkjustaswellasshecan,andI'msure—Menaresuchfools.
I'dbetentimesassweettomakelovetoasthatdreamybaby.AndIAMasgood–looking!"
Butasshesatonthebedandstaredatherthinthighs,defianceoozedaway.Shemourned:
"No.I'mnot.DearGod,howwefoolourselves!IpretendI'm'spiritual.'Ipretendmylegsaregraceful.Theyaren't.They'reskinny.Old–maidish.Ihateit!Ihatethatimpertinentyoungwoman!
Aselfishcat,takinghisloveforgranted....No,she'sadorable....Idon'tthinksheoughttobesofriendlywithGuyPollock."
ForayearVidalovedCarol,longedtoanddidnotpryintothedetailsofherrelationswithKennicott,enjoyedherspiritofplayasexpressedinchildishtea–parties,and,withthemysticbondbetweenthemforgotten,washealthilyvexedbyCarol'sassumptionthatshewasasociologicalmessiahcometosaveGopherPrairie.
ThislastfacetofVida'sthoughtwastheonewhich,afterayear,wasmostoftenturnedtothelight.
Inatestywayshebrooded,"Thesepeoplethatwanttochangeeverythingallofasuddenwithoutdoinganywork,makemetired!
HereIhavetogoandworkforfouryears,pickingoutthepupilsfordebates,anddrillingthem,andnaggingatthemtogetthemtolookupreferences,andbeggingthemtochoosetheirownsubjects—fouryears,togetupacoupleofgooddebates!
Andshecomesrushingin,andexpectsinoneyeartochangethewholetownintoalollypopparadisewitheverybodystoppingeverythingelsetogrowtulipsanddrinktea.Andit'sacomfyhomeyoldtown,too!"
ShehadsuchanoutburstaftereachofCarol'scampaigns—forbetterThanatopsisprograms,forShavianplays,formorehumanschools—butsheneverbetrayedherself,andalwaysshewaspenitent.
Vidawas,andalwayswouldbe,areformer,aliberal.
Shebelievedthatdetailscouldexcitinglybealtered,butthatthings–in–generalwerecomelyandkindandimmutable.
Carolwas,withoutunderstandingoracceptingit,arevolutionist,aradical,andthereforepossessedof"constructiveideas,"whichonlythedestroyercanhave,sincethereformerbelievesthatalltheessentialconstructinghasalreadybeendone.
AfteryearsofintimacyitwasthisunexpressedoppositionmorethanthefanciedlossofKennicott'slovewhichheldVidairritablyfascinated.
ButthebirthofHughrevivedthetranscendentalemotion.
ShewasindignantthatCarolshouldnotbeutterlyfulfilledinhavingborneKennicott'schild.
SheadmittedthatCarolseemedtohaveaffectionandimmaculatecareforthebaby,butshebegantoidentifyherselfnowwithKennicott,andinthisphasetofeelthatshehadenduredquitetoomuchfromCarol'sinstability.
SherecalledcertainotherwomenwhohadcomefromtheOutsideandhadnotappreciatedGopherPrairie.
Sherememberedtherector'swifewhohadbeenchillytocallersandwhowasrumoredthroughoutthetowntohavesaid,"Re–ah–lyIcawn'tendurethisbucolicheartinessintheresponses."
Thewomanwaspositivelyknowntohavewornhandkerchiefsinherbodiceaspadding—oh,thetownhadsimplyroaredather.
Ofcoursetherectorandsheweregotridofinafewmonths.
Thentherewasthemysteriouswomanwiththedyedhairandpenciledeyebrows,whoworetightEnglishdresses,likebasques,whosmelledofstalemusk,whoflirtedwiththemenandgotthemtoadvancemoneyforherexpensesinalawsuit,wholaughedatVida'sreadingataschool–entertainment,andwentoffowingahotel–billandthethreehundreddollarsshehadborrowed.
VidainsistedthatshelovedCarol,butwithsomesatisfactionshecomparedhertothesetraducersofthetown.
II
VidahadenjoyedRaymieWutherspoon'ssingingintheEpiscopalchoir;shehadthoroughlyreviewedtheweatherwithhimatMethodistsociablesandintheBonTon.
ButshedidnotreallyknowhimtillshemovedtoMrs.Gurrey'sboarding–house.
ItwasfiveyearsafterheraffairwithKennicott.
Shewasthirty–nine,Raymieperhapsayearyounger.
Shesaidtohim,andsincerely,"My!Youcandoanything,withyourbrainsandtactandthatheavenlyvoice.
Youweresogoodin'TheGirlfromKankakee.'Youmademefeelterriblystupid.
Ifyou'dgoneonthestage,Ibelieveyou'dbejustasgoodasanybodyinMinneapolis.
Butstill,I'mnotsorryyoustucktobusiness.It'ssuchaconstructivecareer."
"Doyoureallythinkso?"yearnedRaymie,acrosstheapple–sauce.
Itwasthefirsttimethateitherofthemhadfoundadependableintellectualcompanionship.
TheylookeddownonWillisWoodfordthebank–clerk,andhisanxiousbabycentricwife,thesilentLymanCasses,theslangytravelingman,andtherestofMrs.Gurrey'sunenlightenedguests.Theysatopposite,andtheysatlate.
Theywereexhilaratedtofindthattheyagreedinconfessionoffaith:
"PeoplelikeSamClarkandHarryHaydockaren'tearnestaboutmusicandpicturesandeloquentsermonsandreallyrefinedmovies,butthen,ontheotherhand,peoplelikeCarolKennicottputtoomuchstressonallthisart.
Folksoughttoappreciatelovelythings,butjustthesame,theygottobepracticaland—theygottolookatthingsinapracticalway."
Smiling,passingeachotherthepressed–glasspickle–dish,seeingMrs.Gurrey'slintysupper–clothirradiatedbythelightofintimacy,VidaandRaymietalkedaboutCarol'srose–coloredturban,Carol'ssweetness,Carol'snewlowshoes,Carol'serroneoustheorythattherewasnoneedofstrictdisciplineinschool,Carol'samiabilityintheBonTon,Carol'sflowofwildideas,which,honestly,justsimplymadeyounervoustryingtokeeptrackofthem.
Aboutthelovelydisplayofgents'shirtsintheBonTonwindowasdressedbyRaymie,aboutRaymie'soffertorylastSunday,thefactthatthereweren'tanyofthesenewsolosasniceas"JerusalemtheGolden,"andthewayRaymiestooduptoJuanitaHaydockwhenshecameintothestoreandtriedtorunthingsandheasmuchastoldherthatshewassoanxioustohavefolksthinkshewassmartandbrightthatshesaidthingsshedidn'tmean,andanyway,Raymiewasrunningtheshoe–department,andifJuanita,orHarryeither,didn'tlikethewayheranthings,theycouldgogetanotherman.
AboutVida'snewjabotwhichmadeherlookthirty–two(Vida'sestimate)ortwenty–two(Raymie'sestimate),Vida'splantohavethehigh–schoolDebatingSocietygiveaplaylet,andthedifficultyofkeepingtheyoungerboyswellbehavedontheplaygroundwhenabiglubberlikeCyBogartactedupso.
Aboutthepicturepost–cardwhichMrs.DawsonhadsenttoMrs.CassfromPasadena,showingrosesgrowingrightoutdoorsinFebruary,thechangeintimeonNo.4,therecklesswayDr.Gouldalwaysdrovehisauto,therecklesswayalmostallthesepeopledrovetheirautos,thefallacyofsupposingthatthesesocialistscouldcarryonagovernmentforasmuchassixmonthsiftheyeverdidhaveachancetotryouttheirtheories,andthecrazywayinwhichCaroljumpedfromsubjecttosubject.
VidahadoncebeheldRaymieasathinmanwithspectacles,mournfuldrawn–outface,andcolorlessstiffhair.
Nowshenotedthathisjawwassquare,thathislonghandsmovedquicklyandwerebleachedinarefinedmanner,andthathistrustingeyesindicatedthathehad"ledacleanlife."
Shebegantocallhim"Ray,"andtobounceindefenseofhisunselfishnessandthoughtfulnesseverytimeJuanitaHaydockorRitaGouldgiggledabouthimattheJollySeventeen.
OnaSundayafternoonoflateautumntheywalkeddowntoLakeMinniemashie.
Raysaidthathewouldliketoseetheocean;itmustbeagrandsight;itmustbemuchgranderthanalake,evenagreatbiglake.
Vidahadseenit,shestatedmodestly;shehadseenitonasummertriptoCapeCod.
"HaveyoubeencleartoCapeCod?Massachusetts?Iknewyou'dtraveled,butIneverrealizedyou'dbeenthatfar!"
Madetallerandyoungerbyhisinterestshepouredout,"Ohmyyes.Itwasawonderfultrip.
SomanypointsofinterestthroughMassachusetts—historical.
There'sLexingtonwhereweturnedbacktheredcoats,andLongfellow'shomeatCambridge,andCapeCod—justeverything—fishermenandwhale–shipsandsand–dunesandeverything."
Shewishedthatshehadalittlecanetocarry.Hebrokeoffawillowbranch.
"My,you'restrong!"shesaid.
"No,notvery.IwishtherewasaY.M.C.A.here,soIcouldtakeupregularexercise.IusedtothinkIcoulddoprettygoodacrobatics,ifIhadachance."
"I'msureyoucould.You'reunusuallylithe,foralargeman."
"Ohno,notsovery.ButIwishwehadaY.M.
Itwouldbedandytohavelecturesandeverything,andI'dliketotakeaclassinimprovingthememory—Ibelieveafellowoughttogooneducatinghimselfandimprovinghismindevenifheisinbusiness,don'tyou,Vida—IguessI'mkindoffreshtocallyou'Vida'!"
"I'vebeencallingyou'Ray'forweeks!"
Hewonderedwhyshesoundedtart.
Hehelpedherdownthebanktotheedgeofthelakebutdroppedherhandabruptly,andastheysatonawillowlogandhebrushedhersleeve,hedelicatelymovedoverandmurmured,"Oh,excuseme—accident."
Shestaredatthemud–brownedchillywater,thefloatinggrayreeds.
"Youlooksothoughtful,"hesaid.
Shethrewoutherhands."Iam!
Willyoukindlytellmewhat'stheuseof—anything!Oh,don'tmindme.I'mamoodyoldhen.
TellmeaboutyourplanforgettingapartnershipintheBonTon.
Idothinkyou'reright:HarryHaydockandthatmeanoldSimonsoughttogiveyouone."
HehymnedtheoldunhappywarsinwhichhehadbeenAchillesandthemellifluousNestor,yetgonehisrighteouswaysunheededbythecruelkings...."Why,ifI'vetold'emonce,I'vetold'emadozentimestogetinaside–lineoflight–weightpantsforgents'summerwear,andofcourseheretheygoandletacheapkikelikeRifkinbeatthemtoitandgrabthetraderightoff'em,andthenHarrysaid—youknowhowHarryis,maybehedon'tmeantobegrouchy,buthe'ssuchasore–head—"
Hegaveherahandtorise."Ifyoudon'tMIND.Ithinkafellowisawfulifaladygoesonawalkwithhimandshecan'ttrusthimandhetriestoflirtwithherandall."
"I'msureyou'rehighlytrustworthy!"shesnapped,andshesprangupwithouthisaid.Then,smilingexcessively,"Uh—don'tyouthinkCarolsometimesfailstoappreciateDr.Will'sability?"
III
Rayhabituallyaskedherabouthiswindow–trimming,thedisplayofthenewshoes,thebestmusicfortheentertainmentattheEasternStar,and(thoughhewasrecognizedasaprofessionalauthorityonwhatthetowncalled"gents'furnishings")abouthisownclothes.
ShepersuadedhimnottowearthesmallbowtieswhichmadehimlooklikeanelongatedSundaySchoolscholar.Oncesheburstout:
"Ray,Icouldshakeyou!Doyouknowyou'retooapologetic?
Youalwaysappreciateotherpeopletoomuch.
YoufussoverCarolKennicottwhenshehassomecrazytheorythatwealloughttoturnanarchistsorliveonfigsandnutsorsomething.
AndyoulistenwhenHarryHaydocktriestoshowoffandtalkaboutturnoversandcreditsandthingsyouknowlotsbetterthanhedoes.Lookfolksintheeye!Glareat'em!Talkdeep!
You'rethesmartestmanintown,ifyouonlyknewit.YouARE!"
Hecouldnotbelieveit.Hekeptcomingbacktoherforconfirmation.
Hepractisedglaringandtalkingdeep,buthecircuitouslyhintedtoVidathatwhenhehadtriedtolookHarryHaydockintheeye,Harryhadinquired,"What'sthematterwithyou,Raymie?Gotapain?"
ButafterwardHarryhadaskedaboutKantbeatumsocksinamannerwhich,Rayfelt,wassomehowdifferentfromhisformercondescension.
Theyweresittingonthesquatyellowsatinsetteeintheboarding–houseparlor.
AsRayreannouncedthathesimplywouldn'tstanditmanymoreyearsifHarrydidn'tgivehimapartnership,hisgesticulatinghandtouchedVida'sshoulders.
"Oh,excuseme!"hepleaded.
"It'sallright.Well,IthinkImustberunninguptomyroom.Headache,"shesaidbriefly.
IV
RayandshehadstoppedinatDyer'sforahotchocolateontheirwayhomefromthemovies,thatMarchevening.Vidaspeculated,"DoyouknowthatImaynotbeherenextyear?"
"Whatdoyoumean?"
Withherfragilenarrownailsshesmoothedtheglassslabwhichformedthetopoftheroundtableatwhichtheysat.
Shepeepedthroughtheglassattheperfume–boxesofblackandgoldandcitroninthehollowtable.
Shelookedaboutatshelvesofredrubberwater–bottles,paleyellowsponges,wash–ragswithblueborders,hair–brushesofpolishedcherrybacks.
Sheshookherheadlikeanervousmediumcomingoutofatrance,staredathimunhappily,demanded:
"WhyshouldIstayhere?AndImustmakeupmymind.Now.
Timetorenewourteaching–contractsfornextyear.
IthinkI'llgoteachinsomeothertown.Everybodyhereistiredofme.Imightaswellgo.
BeforefolkscomeoutandSAYthey'retiredofme.Ihavetodecidetonight.Imightaswell—Oh,nomatter.Come.Let'sskip.It'slate."
Shesprangup,ignoringhiswailof"Vida!Wait!Sitdown!Gosh!I'mflabbergasted!Gee!Vida!"Shemarchedout.
Whilehewaspayinghischeckshegotahead.Heranafterher,blubbering,"Vida!Wait!"
IntheshadeofthelilacsinfrontoftheGougerlinghousehecameupwithher,stayedherflightbyahandonhershoulder.
"Oh,don't!Don't!Whatdoesitmatter?"shebegged.
Shewassobbing,hersoftwrinklylidssoakedwithtears."Whocaresformyaffectionorhelp?Imightaswelldrifton,forgotten.ORay,pleasedon'tholdme.Letmego.
I'lljustdecidenottorenewmycontracthere,and—anddrift—wayoff—"
Hishandwassteadyonhershoulder.Shedroppedherhead,rubbedthebackofhishandwithhercheek.
TheyweremarriedinJune.
V
TheytooktheOleJensonhouse."It'ssmall,"saidVida,"butit'sgotthedearestvegetablegarden,andIlovehavingtimetogetneartoNatureforonce."
ThoughshebecameVidaWutherspoontechnically,andthoughshecertainlyhadnoidealsabouttheindependenceofkeepinghername,shecontinuedtobeknownasVidaSherwin.
Shehadresignedfromtheschool,butshekeptuponeclassinEnglish.
ShebustledaboutoneverycommitteeoftheThanatopsis;shewasalwayspoppingintotherest–roomtomakeMrs.Nodelquistsweepthefloor;shewasappointedtothelibrary–boardtosucceedCarol;shetaughttheSeniorGirls'ClassintheEpiscopalSundaySchool,andtriedtorevivetheKing'sDaughters.
Sheexplodedintoself–confidenceandhappiness;herdrainingthoughtswerebymarriageturnedintoenergy.
Shebecamedailyandvisiblymoreplump,andthoughshechatteredaseagerly,shewaslessobviouslyadmiringofmaritalbliss,lesssentimentalaboutbabies,sharperindemandingthattheentiretownshareherreforms—thepurchaseofapark,thecompulsorycleaningofback–yards.
ShepennedHarryHaydockathisdeskintheBonTon;sheinterruptedhisjoking;shetoldhimthatitwasRaywhohadbuiltuptheshoe–departmentandmen'sdepartment;shedemandedthathebemadeapartner.
BeforeHarrycouldanswershethreatenedthatRayandshewouldstartarivalshop.
"I'llclerkbehindthecountermyself,andaCertainPartyisallreadytoputupthemoney."
SheratherwonderedwhotheCertainPartywas.
Raywasmadeaone–sixthpartner.
Hebecameaglorifiedfloor–walker,greetingthemenwithnewpoise,nolongercoylysubservienttoprettywomen.
Whenhewasnotaffectionatelycoercingpeopleintobuyingthingstheydidnotneed,hestoodatthebackofthestore,glowing,abstracted,feelingmasculineasherecalledthetempestuoussurprisesofloverevealedbyVida.
TheonlyremnantofVida'sidentificationofherselfwithCarolwasajealousywhenshesawKennicottandRaytogether,andreflectedthatsomepeoplemightsupposethatKennicottwashissuperior.
ShewassurethatCarolthoughtso,andshewantedtoshriek,"Youneedn'ttrytogloat!Iwouldn'thaveyourpokeyoldhusband.
Hehasn'tonesinglebitofRay'sspiritualnobility."
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