Henry C. Rowland

“ If you are going to be foolish we will call the whole thing off. I'm not going to accept a favor of a man who won't permit me to do him one. I never would have accused you of sentiment, Jim, but never mind. Have you any other bad character you can think of whom I might secure in your place— There! I know of just the man!”
“Who?”
“Never mind
“Don't do that. I'll see it through.”
“And take the check?”
“No. Hang the check!”
“I suppose you know your own affairs,” said Nanette, weakly. Like most women who have never known want, she could not conceive of money being a very real necessity. ”

“ Stirling. However, he was accustomed to the keen-edged thrusts of Fate. He laughed shortly.
“What a greedy little kid you are; must everybody love you?”
“You said you would answer my question.”
“I lied. I won't answer it.”
“Why not? Don't you know the answer?”
“Oh, yes. I know the answer, but, you see, you are the fiancée of some one else.”
Nanette reflected swiftly that Morris had not considered this insignificant detail. Then she glanced at the man at her side; her eyes filled and a new tenderness enveloped her in a warm wave.
“You may kiss me if you like, Jim,” she whispered. ”

“ Some of his views are narrow, Jim, I admit, but he is really a splendid fellow. Everyone admits that. He was voted the most popular man in his class at college.”
“No wonder he can't earn a living—”
“And he is a magnificent athlete, and so good-looking.”
“Just created to be supported!”
“He should have been rich—”
“Here's his opportunity. Fortune, after all, is only a matter of judging the ripeness of the moment, just as one thumbs a melon.” ”

“ You lie in the dust and allow yourself to be trampled by the thousand-legged dragon, Public Opinion. But you are high-minded and honest and brave and big and handsome, and know it, and I love you and want you to marry me in a very great hurry ”

“ Nanette nodded. “Morris was here yesterday; he asked me to marry him.” She dropped her violet eyes; not so far however, that she failed to catch the death grimace in the happiness of the face beside her.
“Did, eh? Not very wild, is he? Lies to a dog like a woodcock. Congratulations, little girl. Hope you will be radiantly happy. Here, give me the old play and tell me all about your plans.”
Nanette clutched the manuscript tightly.
“I suppose I'm out of office?” The hard old ring had found its way back into Mr. Stirling's voice.
“Not until you answer a question, Jim. Will you?” ”

“ Everyone said that Morris was a fine fellow, just as everyone said that Jim was a good-for-nothing, or worse things. Morris was supposedly brilliant—at everything but the sale of real estate, yet Nanette could never remember Morris having bundled up her ideas and crammed them back into the closet as Jim was doing. She resented it, and this helped her a little.
“Morris is a man of high ideals, Jim, and he feels as he does more on my account than his own. He wants my husband to command the respect of society; he thinks that we should wait ”

“ We have known each other from childhood, have we not? We have not seen much of each other lately because I've been painting in Paris and you've been painting in New York.” Nanette began to write the check. An expression which was a stranger, which the features did not know how to entertain, crept into Mr. Stirling's hard face. ”

“ Nanette reflected swiftly that she had known exactly what those last words were to be and just exactly the tone in which they were to be uttered. She did not feel in the mood for quarreling; she wished to be alone and put her mind in order, and if there was any time left, to think of Jim and his play. She felt that at the moment she was hardly meet for fight and disliked the idea of not doing herself justice.
“She threw herself face downward on the divan.” See page 460
“Can't you call tomorrow? ”

“ The big red automobile drew up beneath the marquise of an apartment hotel, a so-called “bachelor apartments,” because bachelors are supposed to be able to afford higher rent rates. Nanette sent in her card.
“If Mr. Stirling is in ask him to come to the carriage,” said she. Mr. Stirling was in and obeyed the summons promptly. ”