ormation at your disposal--facts, and facts and facts
on which you can act."
She paused and looked eagerly at her husband, who remained silent.
Seeing this she went on:
"I know what you're thinking. I thought of it myself. Am I justified in
using my position in the Woman's Forum to further your political career?
Well, my answer is, it isn't your political career, only; it's truth and
justice that will be furthered."
Here in the home there was no voiceless speech to make the view
intolerable, and George moved away from his wife and walked to the
window. He looked out on his own peaceful trees and lawn, and on Hanna,
like a tiger in the jungle, stalking a competent little sparrow.
A temptation was assailing George. Suppose he did put his opposition to
this investigation on a high and mighty ground? Suppose he announced a
moral scruple? But no, he cast Satan behind him.
"Genevieve," he said, turning sharply toward her, "this question puts
our whole attitude to a test. If you and I are two separate individuals,
with different responsibilities, different interests, different
opinions, then we ought to be consistent; that ought to mean economic
independence of each other, and equal suffrage; it means that husband
and wife may become business competitors and political opponents.
"But if, as you know I believe, a man and woman who love each other are
one, are a unit as far as society is concerned, why then our interests
are identical, and it is simply a question of which of us two is better
able to deal with any particular situation."
"But that is what I believe, too, George."
"I hoped it was, dear; I know it used to be. Then you must let me act
for you in this matter."
"Yes, in the end; but an investigation--"
"My darling, politics is not an ideal; it is a practical human
institution. Just at present, from the political point of view, such an
investigation would do me incalculable harm."
"George!"
He nodded. "It would probably lose me the election."
"But why?"
"Genevieve, am I your political representative or not?"
"You are," she smiled at him, "and my dear love as well; but may I not
even know why?"
"If you dismissed the cook, and I summoned you before me and bade you
give me your reasons for such an action, would you not feel in your
heart that I was disputing your judgment?"
She looked at him honestly. "Yes, I should."
"And I would not do such a discourteous thing to you. In the home
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