human
I quite understand--you needn't explain, she said at once.
gpt
Your husband has made a fuss, hasn't he? And this is good-bye. Too bad, isn't it?
human
Yes--it is. Ethel hesitated, then all at once she beamed on her friend.
gpt
I want you to know, she stoutly declared,
human
I was just like you. I came from a small town--I had my dreams--I reached New York--I married. She smiled.
gpt
Not once but twice. I was divorced. And my second was a love of a man, and we had such a blissful honeymoon. It lasted a year and a half, and then--he got taking things--dope--and that made it hard. It ended in another divorce. The next man didn't marry me. Meant to, you know, but hadn't time. Then he passed on-- with a wave of her hand--
human
A humorous smile came over her face.
gpt
And for the life of me I can't see how changed it is from when I was married. The same sort of apartment, only it's nicer--the same ocean liners and hotels--the same cafés where one can dance exactly as one did before. Again she wrinkled up her brows.
human
The only real difference I can see is that when I was married like you, my husband only told me the truth once in a while--as yours did last night--while now they tell it all the time. Oh, I'm wise, I'm wise, my dear--for one so young. I'm twenty-eight. How old are you?
gpt
I'm twenty-five.
human
Three years behind. Well, on the whole I guess I'd stay married if I were you. It's so nice, if he's still in love with you. But the minute he isn't, or makes any fuss, or gets ugly or mean, remember this. And her sweet, clear voice grew impressive.
gpt
Remember then you can never be sure what he's really doing in this town. I know--because they tell me--and most of them are married men. And second, and last and always--remember, my dear, that with your figure and your face and your lovely hair which you do so well, you don't have to put up with any man! You can get right out whenever you please! And the only trouble will be to choose your next from all the others who will come crowding about you! And whether you make him marry you--well--I honestly think there's not much choice.
human
Now that I've had my little revenge on your beast of a husband for spoiling it all, when I wasn't doing the least bit of harm and was leaving anyhow this week--let's say good-bye and each get to our packing.
gpt
She was once like me. I could be like her, thought Ethel late that night. She had been lying awake for hours.
human
I could be--but I won't! she declared.
gpt
She had read Shaw. How funny! . . . I think it's a mighty big mistake to let young girls read Bernard Shaw. Susette certainly shan't!
human
How easily Joe changed about from loving Amy to loving me. Here he lies asleep at my side. Where was he today? What do I know? . . . Oh, Ethel Lanier, don't be a fool and let every cheap little woman you meet get you thinking things! Such silly things! . . . I do wish that odious Fanny Carr would get out of my life and stay out! . . . You'd better be very careful, Joe. She had risen on her elbow now, and by the dim light from the window she could just see her husband's face.
gpt
Because if you're not very good to me--remember that a person whom you yourself consider one of the very best of her kind--told me that I--