Part 21 (2/2)
Well, my answer is, it isn't your political career, only; it's truth and justice that will be furthered.”
Here in the home there was no voiceless speech to make the view intolerable, and George moved away from his wife and walked to the window. He looked out on his own peaceful trees and lawn, and on Hanna, like a tiger in the jungle, stalking a competent little sparrow.
A temptation was a.s.sailing George. Suppose he did put his opposition to this investigation on a high and mighty ground? Suppose he announced a moral scruple? But no, he cast Satan behind him.
”Genevieve,” he said, turning sharply toward her, ”this question puts our whole att.i.tude to a test. If you and I are two separate individuals, with different responsibilities, different interests, different opinions, then we ought to be consistent; that ought to mean economic independence of each other, and equal suffrage; it means that husband and wife may become business compet.i.tors and political opponents.
”But if, as you know I believe, a man and woman who love each other are one, are a unit as far as society is concerned, why then our interests are identical, and it is simply a question of which of us two is better able to deal with any particular situation.”
”But that is what I believe, too, George.”
”I hoped it was, dear; I know it used to be. Then you must let me act for you in this matter.”
”Yes, in the end; but an investigation--”
”My darling, politics is not an ideal; it is a practical human inst.i.tution. Just at present, from the political point of view, such an investigation would do me incalculable harm.”
”George!”
He nodded. ”It would probably lose me the election.”
”But why?”
”Genevieve, am I your political representative or not?”
”You are,” she smiled at him, ”and my dear love as well; but may I not even know why?”
”If you dismissed the cook, and I summoned you before me and bade you give me your reasons for such an action, would you not feel in your heart that I was disputing your judgment?”
She looked at him honestly. ”Yes, I should.”
”And I would not do such a discourteous thing to you. In the home you are absolute. Whatever you do, whatever you decide, is right. I would not dream of questioning. Will you not give me the same confidence in my special department?”
There was a short pause; then Genevieve held out her hand.
”Yes, George,” she said, ”I will, but on one condition----”
”_I_ did not make conditions, Genevieve.”
”You do not have to, my dear. You know that I am really your representative in the house; that I am really always thinking of your wishes. You must do the same as my political representative. I mean, if I am not to do this work myself, you must do it for me.”
”Even if I consider it unwise?”
”Unwise to protect women and children?”
”Genevieve,” he said seriously, as one who confides something not always confided to women, ”enforcing law sometimes does harm.”
”But an investigation----”
<script>