You see--the times are so
abnormal, Mortimer hasn't had time to prove his abilities yet; he's just
been able to hold on; and if things don't mend and he should lose out,
why--if you still have your own little fortune, at least you'll not be any
worse off than, you are now. Don't you see?"
"Yes, I see. But Mortimer has told me of other panics and bad times. They
always pass, and better times come again. And if he has been able to hold
on, that at least shows ability, for others have gone under. Of course we
shall live here and run the house--as mother did. I couldn't bear to live
anywhere else, and Morty adores it too."
"Oh, rather. I couldn't imagine you anywhere else."
"Geary and Ballinger sent me ten thousand dollars for a wedding present and
Morty bought some bonds for me, but I'm going to sell a few and refurnish
the lower rooms. I love the old house but I like cheerful modern things.
The poor old parlors and dining-room do look like sarcophagi."
"Good. I'll help. We'll have no end of fun."
II
There was a pause and then Alexina said: "Mortimer is so determined to be a
rich man and thinks of so little else and works so hard, that he is bound
to be. Otherwise, such gifts would be meaningless."
She made the statements with an unconscious rising inflection. Aileen did
not answer and turned her sharp revealing green eyes on the eucalyptus
grove which concealed Ballinger House from the vulgar gaze, and
incidentally shut off a magnificent view.
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