Page:The strange experiences of Tina Malone.djvu/31

Rh I like open air and the good old material world with its solid earth," and I looked at Naomi as I said "I like people who take simple things as simple things and don't see hidden meanings in trifles."

Naomi's eyes hardened and I could feel from that minute that there was no hope of peace. The quarrel was "on" again and the brief peace was gone.

"You're quite right. Keep to good material earthly things—it's much better. It's not safe to dabble in the occult," said Alice.

"What did you say that to Alice Griffiths for?" said Naomi, next day, when I happened to see her.

"What?"

"What you said about the Occult."

"Why not?" I said.

"You know the prejudice her church has against Spiritualism and all that."

I turned away.

"Something has made you different, Naomi," I said, "you're not the same to me at all."

"I have nothing but friendly feeling for you," she said, "I have not changed at all."

"Friendly feeling!" I said, "with that hard look in your eyes!"

"You leave my eyes alone," she said fiercely. "Why can't you be like other people, and love everyone alike?"

I turned away impatiently. Evidently the Priestess had got a firm hold over her, so firm that she seemed to be directing all her judgment of things.

I knew it was one of the views of the Occult School that no feelings should be personal, that to love one person humanely was a thing to be withstood, and to love anyone for their faulty little ways which gave them individuality in my eyes was a thing they considered verged on madness.

The White Priestess and her School had evidently taken charge here. I was not only "of the earth, earthy," but a most reprehensible person because I had a romantic nature and loved Naomi a little for her artistic value and her many little human weaknesses.

Anyway from this time I felt that my company was only "put up with" in Naomi's flat. Her friendship with the Priestess grew and strengthened. They were together now just as she and I had been together in the past. It was she who had all Naomi's confidence. It was she who helped her arrange the rooms to be re-let. They would stop talking as I passed them in a self-conscious way, and I passed them by with a cold "Good-morning."

It was not Naomi's nature at all to be cold. It was not her habit to let anyone feel left out. One of her chief charms had been the wish to share her friends. It made