human
My dear children, my married experience was much like that of your beloved friend. The difference being that my gay husband used my position and wealth to boost himself to the place where he found more agreeable companions than I proved to be. Out of sheer self-respect I was forced to divorce him. Then I began my wanderings over the globe, and finally settled in this city where I was practically unknown. You see, my pride could not brook the pity of my friends although they approved the only course open for me when my husband eloped with another man's wife.
gpt
Oh, dear Mrs. Courtney!
human
It seems ages ago, my children, added Mrs. Courtney.
gpt
I was only eighteen when I married and I was twenty-one when I divorced my husband. I never had a child, and I have always felt as though I had been given a very wretched deal in life, for I love children. Because of my experience, I can advise other young girls--not to marry too young, nor to accept a man for his looks or manners. A girl needs to be experienced from business, or travel and association with men, before she is capable of judging wisely and selecting the proper mate for life.
human
But, children, you have told me nothing more about your good friend Dalken! Tell me more of him. I just heard of his wife's latest project, and I wish to be informed first hand.
gpt
What do you mean, Mrs. Courtney? His wife's latest project?
human
Oh, perhaps you were not aware that she is in Reno? She found an affinity, it seems, during her visit abroad, last summer, and it became necessary for her to sever her legal ties if she wished to marry this other man. I heard of the scandal but not being interested in the woman, and not knowing the man, I paid no attention to the suit. Divorce cases are so common in these degenerate days.
gpt
Poor Dalky! I wonder if he knows of this?
human
He would have to, dear, because she would have to serve him with papers, you see,
gpt
And he never said a word to any one nor did he let us see he was disturbed in any way,
human
Maybe the poor man is relieved to have it so. At least, he will be exempt from paying her such an outrageous income, you know. I take for granted that he will put in his defence, thus absolving himself from alimony,
gpt
It would be exactly like him to keep quiet and let that horrid woman get all she can. He is so magnanimous, you know, that he would think to himself 'She was the mother of my children, and as such I must not deprive her of what she may need'.
human
I am getting my impressions of your friend in piece-meal. You have not yet told me about him.
gpt
That is because you've told us such astonishing news. But now I'll tell you all about good old Dalky, said Eleanor.
human
He is a handsome man of about forty-two or four, I think. Isn't he, Polly?
gpt
Yes, about that age,
human
Well, besides his being handsome and middle-aged, he is loving, awfully rich, both in money and good friends, and one of the most intelligent mortals I ever met!
gpt
One would be led to think you had met all kinds and conditions of mortals in your long, long life, child,
human
Sometimes I think I am very much older in life than _seems_ to be, mused Eleanor.
gpt
I feel somehow, that I have lived many centuries before this queer modern experience.
human
You must have been reading theosophical books, my dear,
gpt
No, I never have. I'm not interested in any such form of research--not yet,
human
Nolla, we ought to be going--really! Every time we come here to talk boudoir decorating we switch off into some byway of personal interest, and that makes us come again to get down to work,
gpt
But what about our round-trip to the South Sea Isles?
human
It isn't coming off, at once, is it? You've got to find a group who are companionable, and you've got to get the yacht,
gpt
It may not take me more than a week to do both. When I make up my mind to a thing, I generally do it,
human
We'd have to gain the consent of our parents before we could even _think_ of taking such a marvellous voyage,
gpt
But the main point is this: would you really care to go, or would you prefer staying in New York to continue your profession?
human
We'd love to go with you, but I'm not sure I'd want to remain away from my work for a whole year,
gpt
If we entertained any ideas of taking the voyage, the best time for us to start would be next Fall. Then we could spend our entire winter in the tropics and escape the heat in the equator in the summer, or rainy season, by sailing home again.
human
Oh, it sounds great! It remains to see who would go,
gpt
I'm sure mother and father would not wish me to go,
human
Of course, you couldn't offer the excuse that you were going for advancement in your profession--as we did when we wanted to tour Europe, you know.
gpt
Leaving the thrilling trip out of our minds for a time, I want to ask you if you suspected anything troubling Dalky, lately?
human
Not a thing. He has seemed just the same as ever.
gpt
That's what I should have said. Then he may not know about his wife's perfidy, and I think we ought to prepare him for such news, Nolla.
human
Polly, we tried to force an adopted son on him, once, and since that time I have been wary of trying to interfere in any other of his personal affairs.
gpt
Then let us talk it over with Prof. and ask what he thinks about telling Mr. Ashby,
human
That's more like sense. We'll tell Mr. Ashby ourselves, when we get back to the Shops.