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THE BOND
205

"Yes, I mean I think I do!"

"What childishness! As though two people could really keep up that sort of thing."

"Ah, but they can. And I assure you it's most interesting."

"It must be. But do people never tell either of you things that are not meant for another person? Or don't you consider confidences binding? Aren't you two individuals at all, but only a corporation?"

"Something like that, I think. … And you know real confidences are rare—at least to me. I don't care about them."

"Then can neither of you have a friend whose confidences would be real, and whose friendship would be for you as an individual, not for you as a corporation?"

Teresa reflected.

"Isn't it conceivable that a person might care for you, and mightn't care for your husband? And that he mightn't care to be served up for that enviable person's further enjoyment? Wouldn't you have any loyalty to a feeling like that?"

"It's a difficult question!" sighed Teresa. "Why bother about such things now? I came in such a gay mood, feeling quite happy and frivolous! Don't spoil all my pleasure."

"I wish I felt happy and frivolous. Then I suppose I might add to it instead of spoiling it."