with no undue sense of his own importance he couldn’t make good from their point of view.
He set it all down to his own shortcomings, but the fact remained. And so as this was part of the rift, the Barhams had come to spend their evenings, as a rule, away from each other.
However, he had become pretty well used to it, and as he reached his Club he was in a more cheerful frame of mind. He went in with a smile, ran across good old Nick Nelson, and stopped in the smoking room for a chat with him.
Meanwhile, Madeleine, in her room, was doing some thinking. It was too early to dress and she had some other things to think out first, anyway.
At last she rose and went down the hall to her mother’s rooms.
“Mother,” she said, patting the fine white hair, “I”
“I know what that means,” and Mrs. Selden drew her head away from her daughter’s caressing hand. “Now, Madeleine, I haven’t a cent for you. It’s outrageous, the way you go on. You know, very well, if Andrew had the least idea how you are managing, he would”
“Yes, what would he do? He hasn’t the power to do anything”
“Don’t be too sure. You know Andrew—but I know the world better than you do, I know men better than you do—and you needn’t think that because Andrew never has broken loose, he never will!”
“Broken loose—how?”
“Reprimand you—disgrace you—punish you”
“Disgrace! Punish! Mother, what do you mean?”
“Oh, hush up, child—don’t think I don’t know things! Andrew and I both spoil you—we’re both too lenient with you—but—we both know”
