se you think that is a cruel thing for a girl to say."

"Not in the least," he answered cheerfully. "Don't mind a bit. But
what do you get out of it--that's what I'm curious to know."

She tossed her head and blew a perfect ring. "Don't you know that
girls never really enjoyed life before?"

"It depends upon the point of view, I should think."

"No, there's a lot more in it than you guess. The girls used to sit
round waiting for men to call and wondering if they'd condescend to
show up at the next dance; while the men fairly raced after the girls
with whom they could have a free and easy time--no company manners, no
chaperons, no prudish affectations about kisses and things. No fear of
shocking if they wanted to let go--the strain must have been awful.
You know what men are. They like to call a spade a spade and be damned
to it. Our sort didn't have a chance. They couldn't compete. So, we
made up our minds to compete in the only way possible. We leave off
our corsets at dances so they can get a new thrill out of us, then sit
out in an automobile and drink and have little petting parties of two.
And we slip out and have an occasional lark like tonight. We're not to
be worried about, either."

"Why cryptic after your really admirable frankness? But there's always
a point beyond which women never will go when confessing their
souls. . . . I suppose you think you're as hard as nails. Do you
really imagine that you will ever be able to fall in love and marry and
want children?"

"Don't men?"

"Ancient standards are not annihilated in one generation."

"There's got to be a beginning to everything, hasn't there? One would
think the world stood still, to hear you talk. But anything new always
makes the fogies sick."

"Nothing makes _me_ as sick as your bad manners--you and all your
tribe. Men, at least, don't lose their breeding if they choose to sow
wild oats. But women go the whole hog or none."

"Other times, other manners. We make our own, and you have to put up
with them whether you like it or not. See?"

"I see that you are even sillier than I thought. You need nothing so
much as a sound spanking."

"Your own manners are none too good. You've handed me one insult after
another."

"I've merely talked to you as your father would if he were not blind.
Besides, it would probably make you sick to be 'respected.' Come
along. We'll go round to a garage and get a taxi. Why on earth didn't