Page:Frank Owen - Woman Without Love (1949 reprint).djvu/129

 slightest. As you are, the girl cannot help but love you. If you tried to ape modern society women you would only make a caricature of yourself and end up an object of ridicule."

"I'll take your advice," declared Madame Leota. "Either people must like me as I am or not at all."

"As you are is quite lovely enough," said Ivan.

For awhile they sat in silence. Occasionally Madame sipped her tea.

"I've arranged for old Marlow to be kept on as gardener," said she presently. "I am also giving him a pension. He'd be like a ship out of water if he had to leave this place."

"You think of everything," said Ivan. "I wonder how often during your life you've thought as seriously of your own comfort."

She shrugged her shoulders. "What matter?" she asked wearily. "After all what do I amount to despite your pretty speeches?"

the start Dorothy and Mary Blaine got along well together. Dorothy liked her big, blustery, over-dressed, over-painted aunt. There was something dependable about her. Her breast was big enough to mother half the world and her eyes were beautiful. There were bits of snuff like dust clinging to her nostrils. Fortunately Dorothy didn't notice them. And Mary Blaine breathed a sigh of relief. Impulsively Dorothy threw her arms about Mary's neck and kissed her.

"I'm awfully glad you've come," she said. "I've been lonesome, and I know you will be a comfortable person to have about."

"I have many bad habits," laughed Mary. "I like to sit and doze in chimney corners. I like to drink my coffee from a saucer and I snore outrageously. You may as well know the worst at once else you may be disillusioned."