Part 149 (2/2)
”There's young Mrs. Weatherstone, mother--” suggested Dora.
”A n.o.body!” her mother replied. ”She has the Weatherstone money, of course, but no Position; and what little she has she is losing by her low tastes. She goes about freely with Diantha Bell--her own housekeeper!”
”She's not her housekeeper now, mother--”
”Well, it's all the same! She _was!_ And a mere general servant before that! And now to think that when Ross is willing to overlook it all and marry her, she won't give it up!”
They were all agreed on this point, unless perhaps that the youngest had her inward reservations. Dora had always liked Diantha better than had the others.
Young Mrs. Weatherstone stayed in her big empty house for a while, and as Mrs. Warden said, went about frequently with Diantha Bell. She liked Mrs. Bell, too--took her for long stimulating rides in her comfortable car, and insisted that first one and then the other of them should have a bit of vacation at her seash.o.r.e home before the winter's work grew too heavy.
With Mrs. Bell she talked much of how Diantha had helped the town.
”She has no idea of the psychic effects, Mrs. Bell,” said she. ”She sees the business, and she has a great view of all it is going to do for women to come; but I don't think she realizes how much she is doing right now for women here--and men, too. There were my friends the p.o.r.nes; they were 'drifting apart,' as the novels have it--and no wonder. Isabel was absolutely no good as a housekeeper; he naturally didn't like it--and the baby made it all the worse; she pined for her work, you see, and couldn't get any time for it. Now they are as happy as can be--and it's just Diantha Bell's doings. The housework is off Isabel's shoulders.
”Then there are the Wagrams, and the Sheldons, and the Brinks--and ever so many more--who have told me themselves that they are far happier than they ever were before--and can live more cheaply. She ought to be the happiest girl alive!”
Mrs. Bell would agree to this, and quite swelled with happiness and pride; but Mrs. Weatherstone, watching narrowly, was not satisfied.
When she had Diantha with her she opened fire direct. ”You ought to be the happiest, proudest, most triumphant woman in the world!” she said.
”You're making oodles of money, your whole thing's going well, and look at your mother--she's made over!”
Diantha smiled and said she was happy; but her eyes would stray off to the very rim of the ocean; her mouth set in patient lines that were not in the least triumphant.
”Tell me about it, my friend,” said her hostess. ”Is it that he won't let you keep on with the business?”
Diantha nodded.
”And you won't give it up to marry him?”
”No,” said Diantha. ”No. Why should I? I'd marry him--to-morrow!”
She held one hand with the other, tight, but they both shook a little.
”I'd be glad to. But I will not give up my work!”
”You look thin,” said Mrs. Weatherstone.
”Yes--”
”Do you sleep well?”
”No--not very.”
”And I can see that you don't eat as you ought to. Hm! Are you going to break down?”
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