A. M. Chisholm

“ Edith Garwood laughed, well pleased, for she liked to be told of her conquests. “It's rather early to say,” she replied. “You see, dear, he hasn't asked me yet. And if he did, there are all sorts of things to be considered.”
“Such as what?” asked Jack. “If you love one another that's the main thing, isn't it?”
“You dear, unsophisticated child!” laughed Miss Garwood. “That's only one thing. We should have to live after we were married, you see.”
“Well, I suppose Joe has enough money for that,” Jack commented. “And then you have plenty of money yourself, or your father has.” ”

“ Joe had swept her away a little, for she really liked him. Now she saw things clearly once more. Relative values emerged. Even a temporary engagement to a comparatively poor, obscure young man would never do; that is, it must not be made public. But she was given to following the line of the least resistance. It never occurred to her to doubt that he was genuinely in love, and she hated a scene. Later it would be an easy thing to break with him. Meanwhile she would have what fun she could out of it, for Joe was really very nice. ”

“ But money and social position are desirable.” Thus early she sought to provide an avenue of retreat.
Joe stared at her, his pride hurt. It had never occurred to him that his own social position was not as good as any one's. He was received everywhere he wished to go; of fashionable society and the grades and jealousies of it he knew little and cared less. He had no social ambitions whatever, and his own modest place was perfectly assured. ”