When I returned, I knew that he hadformally advised
my sisters of what was afoot.
But he whois, and he may be very small, will go
through history.
If I had done it, it would have driven them in
shame intoretirement.
I dont want her to do so blindly; she mustsee what
it involves. Throughout the house there were the usual social
activities.
Dont you see that, when the process is finished,
they willlive in a toilless heaven?
That, for years, was my life; it was myprofession.
Within a few weeks she cleared morethan the whole life insurance had amounted to.
She had come to Montreal to meet her lover for a lasttime before his embarkation for
England. Rumours had reachedLangholm shortly that she was living somewhere in
France.
This, he said, is thesort of thing which captivates
the colonial mind. Therethey go, he said one night, laughing. If there is to be
progress, we shall have toreverse that. His presence gave me no thrill; his absence
did not make me dream. And no matter how many suchnotes came back on him, he would
never learn caution. She frankly told me I was beingdiscussed; young men were afraid
of me; they dared not come near. Dont you see that, when the process is finished,
they willlive in a toilless heaven? A treaty, he said, implied treating: that
is,mutual consultation.
The greater part of it she has known for years; and
she is willingto give me my chance. I rose and left theroom to dress for the drive.
The consequence was that I remained still more alone.
The group melted away; the order was thatwe were to
be left together, alone.
They were startled at the mere fact that I could
suggest sucha thing. The problems are great; not the men who tacklethem. When an
actual offer was made, I lost my head anddeclined.
Physically, he was not repulsive to me, in spiteof
his disabilities. Her limbsfelt weak; her fingers trembled.