Part 32 (1/2)
”I'll remember.”
The door of the office opened and Alicia entered. She stopped short on seeing who was there, and an awkward pause followed. Judge Brewster introduced them.
”Mrs. Jeffries, may I present Mrs. Howard, Junior?”
Alicia bowed stiffly and somewhat haughtily. Annie remained self-possessed and on the defensive. Addressing the banker's wife, the lawyer said:
”I told Mrs. Howard that you wished to speak to her.” After a pause he added: ”I think, perhaps, I'll leave you together. Excuse me.”
He left the office and there was another embarra.s.sing silence. Annie waited for Mrs. Jeffries to begin. Her att.i.tude suggested that she expected something unpleasant and was fully prepared for it. At last Alicia broke the silence:
”You may think it strange that I have asked for this interview,” she began, ”but you know, Annie----” Interrupting herself, she asked: ”You don't mind my calling you Annie, do you?”
The young woman smiled.
”I don't see why I should. It's my name and we're relatives--by marriage.” There was an ironical ring in her voice as she went on: ”Relatives! It seems funny, doesn't it, but we don't pick and choose our relatives. We must take them as they come.”
Alicia made an effort to appear conciliatory.
”As we are--what we are--let's try to make the best of it.”
”Make the best of it?” echoed Annie. ”G.o.d knows I'm willing, but I've had mighty little encouragement, Mrs. Jeffries. When I called to see you the other day, to beg you to use your influence with Mr. Jeffries, 'not at home' was handed to me by the liveried footman and the door was slammed in my face. Ten minutes later you walked out to your carriage and were driven away.”
”I knew nothing of this--believe me,” murmured Alicia apologetically.
”It's what I got just the same,” said the other dryly. Quickly she went on: ”But I'm not complaining, understand--I'm not complaining. Only I did think that at such a time one woman might have held out a helping hand to another.”
Alicia held up her hand protestingly.
”How could I?” she exclaimed. ”Now, be reasonable. You are held responsible for Howard's present position.”
”Yes--by the police,” retorted Annie grimly, ”and by a couple of yellow journals. I didn't think you'd believe all the gossip and scandal that's been printed about me. I didn't believe what was said about you.”
Alicia started and changed color.
”What do you mean?” she exclaimed haughtily. ”What was said about me?”
”Well, it has been said that you married old Jeffries for his money and his social position.”
”'Old Jeffries!'” protested Alicia indignantly, ”Have you no respect for your husband's father?”
”Not a particle,” answered the other coolly, ”and I never will have till he acts like a father. I only had one interview with him and it finished him with me for all time. He ain't a father--he's a fish.”
”A fis.h.!.+” exclaimed Alicia, scandalized at such _lese majeste_.
Annie went on recklessly:
”Yes--a cold-blooded----”
”But surely,” interrupted Alicia, ”you respect his position--his----”