"I assumed you had thought out those things or you'd not have
married me," cried she hotly. In spite of her warnings to herself
she couldn't keep cool. His manner, his words were so inflammatory
that she could not hold herself from jumping into the mud to do
battle with him. She abandoned her one advantage--high ground; she
descended to his level. "You knew the sort of woman I was," she
pursued. "You undertook the responsibility. I assume you are man
enough to fulfill it."

He felt quite at home with her now. "And you?" rasped he. "What
responsibility did YOU undertake?"

She caught her breath, flamed scarlet.

"Now let us hear what wife means in the dictionary of a lady.
Come, let's hear it!"

She was silent.

"I'm not criticising," he went on; "I'm simply inquiring. What do
you think it means to be a wife?"

Still she could think of no answer.

"It must mean something," urged he. "Tell me. I've got to learn
some time, haven't I?"

"I think," said she, with a tranquil haughtiness which she hoped
would carry off the weakness of the only reply she could get