Camille so irritated Margaret
in those somewhat abstruse traits called sensibilities
that she felt as if she were living with a sort of
spiritual nutmeg-grater. Seldom did Camille speak
that she did not jar Margaret, although uncon-
sciously. Camille meant to be kind to the stout
woman, whom she pitied as far as she was capable
of pitying without understanding. She realized that
it must be horrible to be no longer young, and so
stout that one was fairly monstrous, but how horrible
she could not with her mentality conceive. Jack also
meant to be kind. He was not of the brutal -- that is,
intentionally brutal -- type, but he had a shrewd
eye to the betterment of himself, and no realization
of the torture he inflicted upon those who opposed
that betterment.
For a long time matters had been worse than usual
financially in the Lee house. The sisters had been
left in charge of the sadly dwindled estate, and had
depended upon the judgment, or lack of judgment,
of Jack. He approved of taking your chances and
striking for larger income. The few good old grand-
father securities had been sold, and wild ones from
the very jungle of commerce had been substituted.
Jack, like most of his type, while shrewd, was as
credulous as a child. He lied himself, and expected
all men to tell him the truth.
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