There her recognition of class stopped. That wealth or family prominence
even in a great city or an old community should create an exclusive and
favored society seemed to her illogical and outrageous. A woman was a lady
or she wasn't. A man was a gentleman or he wasn't. That should be the
beginning and the end of the social code....When she had been younger
she had lamented her mean position because it excluded her from the
light-hearted and brilliant pleasures of youth; but as she grew older
this natural craving had given place to a far deeper and more corrosive
resentment.
She had no patience with her brother's ingenuous snobbery. A good-natured
friend had introduced him to one or two houses where there were young
people and much dancing and he had been "taken up." Nothing would have
filled Gora with such murderous rage as to be taken up. She wanted her
position conceded as a natural right.
Had it been in her power she would have forced her conception of democracy
upon the entire United States. But as this was quite impossible she longed
passionately for some power, personal and irresistible, that would compel
the attention of the elect in the city of her birth and ultimately bring
them to her feet. And here she had a ray of hope.
VI
Meanwhile it was some satisfaction to watch them being burned out of house
and home.
Then she gave a short impatient sigh that was almost a groan, as she
wondered if her own home would go.
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