Part 13 (2/2)
”Have women no sense, Danny? Have they no understanding, no--”
”Some have. But sense and understanding interfere with comfortable ignorances that aren't pleasant to be interfered with. Does this female parent know anything about Harrie? Did she let her daughter become engaged before making inquiries about him?”
”She knows very well who he is. She's visited here several times.
If told of Harrie's past dissipations, she'd soothe herself with the usual dope of boys being boys, and men being men, and bygones being bygones.” Selwyn's hands made gesture of disgust. ”It's a plain case of d.a.m.ned fool. She deserves what she'll get if she lets her daughter marry Harrie. But the daughter doesn't. Somebody ought to tell the child she mustn't marry him. If there was a father or brother the responsibility would be on them. There's neither.”
”But didn't you tell Harrie--that--that--”
”I did. And the language I used was not learned in a kindergarten.
Among other things I told him was that if he-- Oh, it's no use going into that. It's easy to say what you'll do, but it isn't easy to show your brother up as--as everything one's brother shouldn't be.”
For a moment or two Selwyn continued his restless walking up and down the room, in his face no masking of the pain and weariness of spirit that were possessing him. To no one else would he speak so frankly of a family affair, and I wanted much to help him, but how? What was it he wanted me to do? I could not see where I came in to do anything.
”Is Harrie very much in love?” Such questioning was consciously silly, but something had to be said. ”Do you think he really loves the girl?”
”No, I don't. He says he does, of course, but he doesn't love anything but himself. Making love is a habit with him. Our girls know how to take the sort of stuff he talks; rather expect it, but this little creature is obviously a literalist. I imagine Harrie hardly remembers how it happened. He probably was surprised to find himself engaged. However, he's determined to go through with it. A million-dollar mother-in-law has a good deal in her favor. But something is the matter with the boy. He's not himself.”
”Didn't he go away about a year ago, and stay some time? If he could begin all over--”
”There's nowhere under heaven I wouldn't send him if he'd go with the purpose of beginning all over, but he won't stay away. About six months ago he went to South America and stayed four months. Since he got home he's been worse than ever--reckless, defiant, and drinking heavily. His health has gone and most of his money; practically all of it. I don't know what to do. I want to do what is right. Tell me what it is, Danny.”
My breath was drawn in s.h.i.+veringly and the frightened face of the girl with the baby in her arms again seemed close to me. Why was I so halting, so afraid to speak? Usually I reached decisions quickly, but I couldn't get rid of the girl's eyes. They seemed appealing for protection. Until I knew more about her I must say nothing. Mrs.
Mundy must go to see her and then--
”I know I shouldn't bother you with all this.” Selwyn's voice recalled me and the face in the fire vanished. ”But there is no one else I can talk to. I should as soon go to a patient in a nerve sanitarium as to Mildred. As a sister Mildred is not a success.
She'd first have hysterics and tell me I was brutal to poor Harrie, and then declare that to marry a million dollars was the chance of a lifetime for him. One of the ten thousand things I can't understand about women is their defense of men, their acceptance of his--shortcomings, and their disregard of the woman who must pay the price of the latter. Mildred would probably not give Miss Swink a thought.”
”Harrie's sister and his mamma-in-law-to-be will doubtless find each other congenial. They believe in sweet ignorance and blind acceptance for their s.e.x. But what do you want me to do, Selwyn?
What is it I can do?”
”I don't know.” Hand on the back of the sofa, he looked down at me.
”When things go wrong I always come to you. When they go right you are not nice to me. To-day I had a letter from Harrie. He's coming back next week. His fiancee and her mother are coming with him. The engagement is not to be announced just yet, however, and he asks me to keep it on the quiet.”
”And you've told me.”
”Told you!” Selwyn's voice was querulous. ”Don't I tell you everything? Mrs. Swink has friends here, strivers like herself--the only kind of people you won't have anything to do with. But I'm going to ask you to call. Perhaps you'll be able--”
”She won't want to know me. I'll be no use to her. I can't help her in any way, and people like that are too keen to waste time on people like me. I don't give parties.”
”But Kitty does. I don't know how you'll go about it, but you'll find a way to--to make the girl understand she mustn't marry Harrie, or certainly not for some time. I feel sorry for the child, but--”
”And the other girl--the little cas.h.i.+er-girl? What about her?”
For a moment Selwyn did not seem to understand. ”Oh, that girl! I don't think there'll be any trouble from her. She doesn't seem that sort. Forget her. You can't do anything. I've tried and failed.”
”I may fail, but I haven't tried. You dispose of her as if she didn't count.”
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