afterward, to grin and chatter, to do nothing useful or even
interesting--" He laughed again, one of his old-time, boisterous
outbursts. But it seemed to her to fit in, to be the laughter of
mountain and forest and infinity of space at her and her silly
friends. "And you picture ME taking permanent part in that show,
or toiling to find you the money to do it with. ME! ... Merely
because I've been, for a moment, somewhat bedazzled by its cheap
glitter."

Margaret felt that he had torn off the mask and had revealed his
true self. But greater than her interest in this new personality
was her anger at having been deceived--self-deceived. "You asked
me how I'd like to live," cried she, color high and eyes filled
with tears of rage. "I answered your question, and you grow
insulting."

"I'm doing the best I know how," said he.

After a moment she got herself under control. "Then," asked she,
"what have you to propose?"

"I can't tell you just now," replied he, and his manner was most
disquieting. "To-morrow--or next day."

"Don't you think I'm right about it being humiliating for us to go
back to Washington and live poorly?"

"Undoubtedly. I've felt that from the beginning."

"Then you agree with me?"