epare myself for this work. You speak of 'this writing business' as if
it were some whim of the moment. It is serious, Jerry. I believe in
myself. I have something to say that no other human being in the world
will say, and I've learned how to say it. Other women, similarly
equipped physically, might have produced Jerry, but no other woman could
have produced that book."

"Then you think the book is more important than Jerry?"

She kept her control with difficulty; he was so wantonly hurting her.

"I think I am here to produce both. One is the child of my body and one
is the child of my spirit. They are equally important to me; they are
inevitable."

"I can't understand you, Jane. I thought your love for Jerry was the one
passion of your life, but that doesn't sound like it."

"We are what we are, Jerry; you can't push back development. I can't
unmake you as artist any more than you can unmake me. The only
difference is that I don't want to."

"You knew what I was when you married me."

"But how am I different from the person you married, Jerry? I'm what I
was yesterday; nothing has changed in our lives; we will work and play
and eat and sleep to-morrow as we did yesterday; why do you feel so
upset about me?"

"But can't you see that you're a stranger to me? You aren't the kind of
woman I thought you were!"

"But do you think I'm a less desirable companion because I've proved
that I have a gift that you did not suspect? I am adding something as a
contribution to our common life, not taking anything away."

"That's still to be proved."

"Why, no, Jerry, it has been proved! I've been proving it ever since we
married. The only difference is that yesterday you didn't know
it--to-day, you do."

"It's my knowing it that makes the difference; you said yourself that it
might make a difference in our life together!"

"Yes, but I meant a change for the better. I thought you might be a
little proud of me--that I'd won a long, hard fight--that you might hold
out your hand to me and say: 'Good for you, Partner; now we'll march
along together with a new, common interest!'"

"I'm sorry to be such a disappointment, Jane. I'm not playing up at all,
but this thing has knocked me over. I've got to think it out." He
fumbled for his words.

"Of course, that's what we must both do."

"I do think it's great that your book is accepted," he added lamely.

"Thank you, Jerry," she said, and turned to go upstairs, but not befo