"
"You put it away for Baby, or do anything you like with it, but I can't
stand your paying household bills with it."
"You are practically saying that I cannot do anything I like with it."
"Good Lord! There's no pleasing you!"
"I don't want you to please me. I only want you to admit that it is our
house and our baby and our money, and I feel just as much pride in doing
my part toward joint expenses as you do. It's my right to share it, when
I can, as well as my greatest pleasure. Put yourself in my place and
you'll see it."
He heaved a deep sigh of outraged manhood without any other reply. Jane
promptly deposited her check, and his only comment was a silent one. He
used what money he had sparingly and drew no personal checks while her
money was being used. When Mrs. Beaufort's check finally arrived he said
sardonically:
"Here's my little contribution to the family resources. Not so big as
yours, but still perfectly acceptable."
"Jerry, Jerry, it isn't that you are jealous of my work and my pay that
makes you so bitter against them?"
"Jealous?" he laughed, "not at all. It is no doubt a safeguard to have a
rich wife."
But that controversy was ended, because when his check was deposited
there was no more chance for mine and thine, so the subject was never
opened up again.
These days of Jerry's irritation were difficult to bear, but Jane
controlled her temper, knowing that only her cool head and judgment
would carry them through this crisis.
Bobs came in to dinner with them one night in the thick of the
difficulty. Jerry was sarcastic and bitter at the expense of women, so
that finally Bobs turned on him.
"What's the matter with you, Jerry? I thought matrimony had tamed you!"
"On the contrary."
"Come on up to date, Jerry. It's lonesome back there where you are."
"He isn't back there at all, Bobs; he walks right along abreast of his
times, in actuality, but he insists that he is still in the past," said
Jane, laughing.
"Jane knows all about me," he said jeeringly.
"She ought to--she has to live with you."
"Have you heard our latest news?" he inquired.
She shook her head.
"New genius in the family."
"You mean Baby?"
"Oh, Jerry, please," said Jane.
"No; Jane."
"I've always known Jane was a genius," said Bobs.
She looked at Jane, saw her distress, and flew to the rescue.
"Has she put something over on you, Jerry?"
"Yes, she's written a book."
"Written a book?" s
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