after the fact, and so would hers. What would Anne do if she found out? He shuddered at that thought. He remembered that he had never succeeded in explaining anything to Anne.
Would he be able to feed so many hungry mouths—two women and three children? He doubted if the Ruggles would be able to give their daughter more than enough to dress on.
But he was young and strong and affectionate and full of courage. The moralities of his situation did not affect him. For already he had seen enough of this best of all possible worlds to realize that as often as not it is the bad man who succeeds and the good man who perishes. Look at James! Look at John!
Dear Mother made countless difficulties about his going back to Paris. Just because she carried a stiff upper lip and continued to make unheard—of sacrifices for everybody, did he realize that she was old and had used up her strength? Did he realize that his precious father had not long to live? She succeeded in making Edward feel like a perfect brute, and for two days prior to his sailing she hardly spoke to him. And for once his father wasn't much help to him.
"Can't you see your way of staying at home with us, Edward?"
"How about Anne, father?"
