He shrugged his shoulders as he replied dryly:

"I don't know about yours, but I can tell you this about mine--if hanging on to 'em meant hard work, tired bones and an empty pocket while giving 'em up meant a fine house, a bully time and all the money I could spend, then I'd kiss my principles good-bye and pa.s.s 'em up without a quiver! That's common sense."

She turned her head away.

"We don't see things the same way," she said quietly.

He rose from the chair and began to pace the floor in silence. Then, turning on her suddenly he said:

"I never understood why you quit him anyway. Tell me, did he punch you?"

"Certainly not!" she exclaimed indignantly.

"Was he mixed up with another woman?"

"Another woman! Robert? The idea!!"

"Well, if it wasn't one of them, in heaven's name what was it?"

"You wouldn't understand," she replied simply.

He stopped short in front of her and folded his arms. With as severe an air as he could muster he said sternly:

"Perhaps not, but here's something I can understand. Why did I quit my job? Because of you. Who has brought us down to this? You! Who makes f.a.n.n.y work harder than any hired girl in the city? You! Who has ruined my career? You! You and your selfishness!"

Taken aback by the suddenness of his denunciation, Virginia stared at him in surprise, as if not comprehending.

"My selfishness?" she stammered.

"Just that!" he sneered. With pretended indignation he went on: "And the things you were going to do for little Virgie! She was going to have a governess; she was going to learn music and painting when she grew up; she was going to have a horse. A horse! Ha! ha! The only horse she'll ever have will be a clothes-horse!!"

Hurt in her most sensitive nature, Virginia listened to his words, each one of which fell on her with the weight of a blow.

"Please, Jimmie, please!" she cried.

But he had no pity; he was ready to inflict any suffering so long as it did not hurt himself and it accomplished his object.

"Yes," he went on, "and she'll have to do the same as f.a.n.n.y does, break her back washing the things to put over it! And why? Because you think more of your 'principles' than you do of your relations. Because you think only of yourself. Because you're selfish. That's why!"

Almost in tears, Virginia put out her hand, pleading to him to desist.

"Stop, please!" she cried. "Don't you see how nervous and tired I am?"

At that instant f.a.n.n.y re-entered with the tea things, in time to hear her sister's cry of distress. Turning indignantly to her husband, she said:

"You behave yourself! What have you been saying to her, anyway?"

He shrugged his shoulders as he replied carelessly:

"I've been telling her things for her own good." Almost viciously he added: "And I'm going to keep on telling her."

Virginia rose, her face flushed. With some spirit she cried:

"No--you're not!"

"Who's going to stop me?" he demanded.

"I am," she said firmly. "I'm doing what I think is right and you're not going to bully me into doing what I think is wrong. If you ever mention my going back to my husband again, I'll--I'll--"

"I suppose you'll leave us as well?" he said sarcastically.

f.a.n.n.y, meantime, was making frantic signs to her husband to desist.

Angrily she exclaimed:

"Jimmie--will you stop?"

She was about to put her hand over her husband's mouth to silence him when Virginia interfered. In a resigned tone, she said weakly:

"Let him talk. No, I couldn't leave you. I've got to have some one to love. And you know I love you, don't you?"

"I should say so," exclaimed f.a.n.n.y, embracing her.

Taking her sister's hand Virginia turned towards her brother-in-law.

The look of anger and defiance had died out of her face. In its place was a peaceful expression of patient resignation. Gently she said:

"And I love the baby--dearly! Yes, and you as well, Jimmie! Oh, you don't know how hard this has been for me! You see, I've not only had my own sorrows and troubles--and they've been quite enough for any woman--"

f.a.n.n.y tenderly embraced her sister. Placing a cup of tea in front of her she said soothingly:

"Never mind, dearie--everything will come out all right."

Virginia shook her head. Mournfully she said:

"But I've had yours as well--to know Jimmie lost his position because of me. To have you come down in the world like this--because of me; to know Jimmie is just where he started! To see you--breaking your back--at the washing--"

Standing over her, f.a.n.n.y stroked her hair, trying to rea.s.sure her.

Cheerily she said:

"Don't you worry about me. I'm all right."

"It's been dreadfully hard," went on Virginia tearfully. "At times I've felt that I just couldn't bear it--that I should--have--to go back, because, after all, I'm only human! And I may have to go back yet--I may--" She stopped abruptly and threw back her head. With spirit she exclaimed: "No, I won't go back. I won't!" Then, her tone changing again, she said pleadingly: "But please don't talk about it any more. I'm so tired!"

She sank listlessly into a chair at the table. Jimmie, judging the moment favorable to renew the attack, opened his mouth as if to speak, but before he could utter a word f.a.n.n.y silenced him.

"Oh, shut up!" she exclaimed, more forcibly than elegantly.

"I didn't say anything," he protested.

"No, but you were going to!" she retorted. Turning to Virginia and pushing the tea-cup before her, she said coaxingly: