for a while. I had tutored enough during my college course to make it
evident that I could teach, and I grasped this opportunity as a
fortunate one. There are hours each day when I can read law. There are
even opportunities to attend lectures. It's a long way around to my
goal, I know that, and a steep way. Everything that I can save is laid
aside for the time when, finally admitted to the bar, I dare throw off
the security of a salary. My mother is quite alone. I must always look
out for her. I am all she has. I shall inherit little or nothing. If
there is any one who has allowed a possible delusion to continue about
himself it is I--not you, Miss Vars. Hello," he interrupted himself,
"it's getting late. Quarter of twelve! I ought to be shot." He turned
about and came over toward me. "Your sister will be turning me out
next," he said glibly. He was quite formal now. We might have been just
introduced.

His manner forbade me to speak. He gave me no opportunity to tell him
that his circumstances made no difference. Salary or no salary I did not
care--nothing made any difference now. He simply wanted me to keep
still. He eagerly desired it.

"Good night," he said cheerfully. In matter-of-fact fashion we shook
hands. "Forgive me for the disgraceful hour. Good night."

CHAPTER XIII

LUCY TAKES UP THE NARRATIVE

It was an afternoon in late February. A feeling of spring had been in
the air all day. In the living-room a lingering sun cast a path of light
upon the mahogany surface of a grand piano. In _my_ living-room, I
should say. For I am Mrs. Maynard, wife of Doctor William Ford Maynard
of international guinea-pig fame; sister of Ruth Chenery Vars; one-time
confidante of Robert Hopkinson Jennings. I haven't any identity of my
own. I'm simply one of the audience, an onlooker--an anxious and worried
one, just at present, who wishes somebody would assure me that the play
has a happy ending. I don't like sad plays. I don't like being harrowed
for nothing. I've taken to paper simply because I'm all of a tremble for
fear the play I've been watching for the last month or two won't come
out right. Sometimes I feel as if I'd like to dash across the footlights
and tell the actors what to say.

Ruth is engaged to be married to Robert Jennings. At first it seemed to
me too good to be true. After the sort of bringing up my sister has had,
culminating in that miserable affair of hers with Breckenridge Sewall,
I was afrai