"Neither do I believe that God means to force woman at last to do the tasks of man.But she's doing them, dear--and it must be so until a brighter day dawns for humanity.The new world that opens before us will never abolish marriage, but it has opened our eyes to know what it means.You refuse to open yours.You refuse to see this new world about you.I've begged you to join one of my clubs.You refuse.I beg you to meet and know such men of genius as Gordon----""As an artist's model!"
"It's the only way on earth you can meet him.You stick to your narrow, hide-bound conventional life and dream of the Knight who willsuddenly appear some day out of the mists and clouds.You dream of the Fate God has prepared for you in His mysterious Providence.It's funny how that idea persists even today in novels.As a matter of fact we know that the old-fashioned girl met her Fate because her shrewd mother planned the meeting--planned it with cunning and stratagem.You're alone in a great modern city, with all the conditions of the life of the old regime reversed or blotted out.Your mother is not here.And if she were, her schemes to bring about the mysterious meeting of the Fates would be impossible.You outgrew the limits of your village life.Your highly trained mind landed you in New York.You've fought your way to a competent living in five years and kept yourself clean and unspotted from the world.Granted.But how many men have you met who are your equals in culture and character?"Jane paused and held Mary's gaze with steady persistence."How many--honest?""None as yet," she confessed.
"But you live in the one fond, imperishable hope! It's the only thing that keeps you alive and going-- this idea of your Fate.It's an obsession--this mysterious Knight somewhere in the future riding to meet you----" "I'll find him, never fear," the girl laughed.
"Of course you will.You'll make him out of whole cloth if it's necessary.Our ideals are really the same when you come to analyze my wider outlook."The artist paused and laughed softly."The same?" the girl asked incredulously.
"Certainly.Mine is based on intelligence, however--yours on blind instinct perverted and twisted by the idiotic fiction you read morning, noon and night.""I don't see it," Mary answered emphatically."Your ideal is fame, achievement, the applause of the world--mine just a home and a baby----"Jane laughed softly.
"And that's all you know about me?" "Isn't it true?""You've been in this room five years, haven't you?" the older girl asked musingly.
"Yes----"
"And though you've kept your lamp trimmed and burning, you haven't yet seen a man whom you could recognize as your equal.""I'm only twenty-four."
"In these five years I've met a hundred men my equal.""And smashed the conventions of Society whenever you saw fit." "Without breaking a single law of reason or common- sense.In themeantime I've met two men who have really made love to me.I thought I loved one of them--until I met the other.The second proved himself to be an unprincipled scoundrel.If I had held your views of life and hated my work, I would have married this man and lived to awake in a prison whose only door was Death.But I loved my work.Life meant more than one man who was not worth an hour's tears.I turned to my studio and he slipped back into the gutter where he belonged.I'll meet MY Fate some day, too, dear.I'm waiting and watching--but with clear eyes and unafraid.I'll know mine when he comes, I shall not be blinded by passion or the fear of drudgery.Can't you see this bigger world of realities?"The dimple flashed again in the smooth red cheek.
"It's not for me, Jane.I'm just a modest little home body.I'll bide my time----""And eat your foolish heart out here between the narrow walls of this cell you've built for yourself.I should think you'd die living here alone."The girl flushed."I'm not lonely----"
"Don't fib! I know better.Your birds and kitten occupy daily about thirty minutes of the time that's your own.What do you do with the rest of it?""Sit by my window, watch the crowds stream through the streets below, read and dream and think----""Yes--read love stories and dream about your Knight.""Well?"
"It's morbid and unhealthy.You've hedged yourself about with the old conventions and imagine you're safe--and you are--until you meet HIM!""I'll know how to behave--never fear."
"You mean you'll know how instantly to blindfold, halter and lead him to the Little Church Around the Corner?"Mary moved uneasily.
"And what else should I do with him?"
"Compare him with other men.Weigh him in the balances of a remorseless common-sense.Study him under a microscope and keep your reason clear.The girl who rushes into marriage in a great city under the conditions in which you and I live is a fool.More girls are ruined in New York by marriage than by any other process.The thunderbolt out of the blue hasn't struck you yet, but when it does----""I'll tell you, Jane." "Will you, honestly?"The question was asked with wistful tenderness.
"I promise.And you mustn't think I don't appreciate this visit and the chance you've given again to enter the `big world' you're always telling me about.I just can't do it, dear.It's not my world.""All right, my little foolish virgin, have it your own way.When you're lonely, run up to my studio to see me.I won't ask you to pose or meet any of the dangerous men of my circle.We'll lock the doors and have a snug time all by ourselves.""I'll remember."
The clock in the Metropolitan Tower chimed the hour of five, and Jane Anderson rose with a quick, business- like movement.
