honor. But there's another kind. When I married Bob I sold myself;
and all of us--I mean the family--knew that what I sold was
counterfeit. He thought he was getting something more than my
body, but we knew he wasn't, and now that we find we took bad
money for a worthless article, how can we pretend to be swindled?
When people try to cheat, and get cheated themselves, what do they
do? If they're game they smile and take their medicine, don't
they?"

It was plain that this form of logic impressed the listener not at
all. Lorelei continued:

"I've learned that marriage is more than I considered it, mother.
It's an obligation. I intend to live up to my part just as long as
Bob lives up to his. If he complained of the fraud we practised on
him I'd be willing to leave him; but he doesn't--so the matter is
out of our hands."

Mrs. Knight relieved her steadily increasing anger by a harsh
outburst.

"I never thought you could be so silly, after the way you were
raised. You talk about obligations; what about your obligation to
your parents? Didn't we give up everything for you? Didn't Peter
sacrifice his life's work to give you an opportunity?"

"I'll keep on sharing my salary with you."

"Salary!" Mrs. Knight spat out the word. "After all our plans!
Salary! My God!"