human
I told you so.
gpt
Headache? exclaimed Peggy sympathetically, yet cheerily too, for Peggy had an intuitive shrinking from the sympathy which knocks the props out from under a tottering courage.
human
Well, the first day of anything is always a hard day. Want me to rub your head?
gpt
I don’t know. Elaine spoke languidly, more as if it were too much trouble to refuse than as if she welcomed the thought of Peggy’s ministrations. Indeed she was almost in the mood to resent the idea of being made comfortable. But Peggy slipped behind her chair, stroking the throbbing temples with a touch at once gentle and assured.
human
Uncle John telephoned me this evening, she observed.
gpt
He says you take things a little hard, but that you’ll be all right as soon as you’re used to it.
human
There are some things one never would get used to.
gpt
Some things! What sort of things do you mean?
human
Like being snubbed, for instance.
gpt
Snubbed?
human
Of course it’s no more than I should have expected. When I took up that work, I ought to have known that people would look down on me, and treat me accordingly. But, somehow, I wasn’t prepared for it.
gpt
Look here, Elaine, said Peggy, thoroughly aroused.
human
Business is business, and when a girl goes into an office, she must expect that she’ll be told of her mistakes. But to imagine that Uncle John is going to look down on anybody--
gpt
Oh! Elaine’s tone was apologetic, as she interrupted.
human
It wasn’t your uncle. He was very kind indeed, all that I saw of him. But along in the afternoon-- to her amazement she was obliged to pause to get control of her voice--
gpt
she faltered.
human
Their name is Henderson.
gpt
Bess and Lu! Well, what of it?
human
Why, I spoke to them before I thought, just as I would anywhere. Everything seemed so strange that I had a silly feeling as if it were awfully nice to see anybody I knew. And they--O, Peggy! Elaine broke down and sobbed helplessly.
gpt
They were so cold and distant, and all at once I realized how they must feel to have a girl in an office acting as if she thought she was as good as they were. I suppose I deserved to be snubbed.
human
If I had been listened to, observed Mrs. Marshall tragically,
gpt
Why, I never heard of such a thing, Peggy cried, finding her voice.
human
Lu and Bessie are nice, sensible girls, as far as I know. I can’t imagine their doing anything so ill-bred and silly as snubbing you for speaking to them. I simply can’t believe it.
gpt
It’s true, though. Elaine wiped away her tears and Peggy took a long look at her.
human
Well, what of it?
gpt
You mean--
human
I mean it’s not worth a second thought. If they didn’t intend anything, there’s no sense in worrying. And if they did, they’re beneath your notice.
gpt
But, Peggy! Elaine expostulated,
human
Elaine, see here. Why did you apply for that position in the first place?
gpt
Why, I needed the money, Peggy.
human
You didn’t do it on the spur of the moment, did you? You thought about it, and made up your mind that it was the right thing to do?
gpt
Why, ye-es--
human
You’re the same Elaine to-night that you were yesterday, aren’t you? You haven’t been spoiled, by spending a day in Uncle John’s office. Is there any reason why anybody should like you less or respect you less?
gpt
Of course not, Peggy. It’s only the way people feel about such things.
human
You’re ready to give up doing something you’re sure is right and sensible because of what people think. You know they’re wrong. You know such prejudices are silly and mistaken and yet you haven’t got the courage to fight them.
gpt
I don’t know who would be brave enough for that,
human
Everybody ought to be brave enough. Think of the people in the world who’ve conquered real obstacles, people like Helen Keller, for instance. It’s a shame for such a girl as you to give in to a lie, to let herself be beaten by something she despises. You’re in the right and you know it. Hold your head up and let people think what they please.