Page:O Genteel Lady! (1926).pdf/71

 woman had the intellect. Lanice, he will just scorn you inside.'

'I think I will go to see him, anyway. Of course, Pauline, I realize that if I am not an artist and do not do what you want there is no reason why you should have me live with you. I have some money, you know, Pauline. I'd much prefer to pay. What I have done for your father certainly would not make up for my lovely room and all you have given me. And now his book is done.'

'How can you talk to me like this? You're a hardhearted girl, Lanice. You haven't any natural affection. You want to go away. I'd die rather than take money from you.' Pauline gulped awkwardly, gritted her teeth, gazed fixedly ahead of her, then, bursting into tears, fled from the room.

They had it out together in Pauline's tobacco-brown room, lying together on her tumbled unmade bed. Why could she not love Pauline? She realized humbly that Pauline loved her. 'You had better kiss her,' she thought coldly, and did, but hated herself for this false show of affection.

'If you feel so badly I won't go to Redcliffe & Fox. I'll continue to study at the Dummers' studio, but...'

'That's not it; but I don't want you to pay, I...I...' she gagged.

Fifteen minutes later, Pauline, complete master of herself and the situation, superciliously examined