THE POWER OF WEAKNESS

Christine followed her mother to their room, and the two faced each other
a moment in pale silence.

Mrs. Bogardus spoke first. "What does this mean?"--her breath came short,
perhaps from climbing the stairs. She was a large woman.

"What does what mean? I don't understand you, mother."

"Ah, child, don't repulse me! Twice you and Moya have nearly quarreled
about those men. Why were you so rude to her? Why did you behave so about
her letter?"

"Paul is so intolerant! And the airs he puts on! If he is my own brother I
must say he's an awful prig about other men."

"We are not discussing Paul. That is not the question now. Have you
anything to tell me, Christine?"

"To tell you?--about what, mother?" Christine spoke lower.

"You know what I mean. Which of them is it? Is it Banks?--don't say it is
Banks!"

"Mother, how can I say anything when you begin like that?"

"Have you any idea what sort of a man Banks Bowen really is? His father
supports him entirely--six years now, ever since he left the law school.