dBooks desire

Said she
reflectively, like one puzzling out a difficult problem:
``He buys a woman, as he buys a dog or a horse.
He does not give his dog, his horse, pocket-money.
Why should he give his woman pocket-money?''
``Will it help matters, Mrs. Siddall, to go to the other
extreme and do him a grave injustice?''
She did not hear. At the picture presented to her
mind by her own thoughts she gave a short satirical
laugh. ``How stupid of me not to have understood
from the outset,'' said she. ``Why, I've often heard of
this very thing.''
``It is more and more the custom among men of large
property, I believe,'' said Harding. ``Perhaps, Mrs.
Siddall, you would not blame them if you were in their
position. The rich men who are careless--they ruin
everybody about them, I assure you. I've seen it again
and again.''
But the young wife was absorbed in her own
thoughts. Harding, feeling her mood, did not interrupt.
After a while she said:
``I must ask you some questions. These jewels the
general has been buying--''
Harding made a movement of embarrassment and
protest.


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