Groome
had suspected it. Mortimer, shortly after his mother-in-law's death, and
while Alexina was passing a fortnight at Rincona, had given James orders
to collect all bills on the first of every month and hand them to him,
together with a statement of the servants' wages. Mrs. Dwight was not to be
bothered.
Alexina, when she returned, had made no protest. The details of
housekeeping did not appeal to her. But the arrangement left her without
occupation, and much time for thought. After a long walk morning and
afternoon she had little to do but read. She was an early riser and her
mind was active.
IV
Dwight had not the least intention of using his wife's money, for he had
perfect confidence in his change of luck, and in his ability to do great
things with his business as soon as the period of depression had passed.
But he had no faith in any woman's ability to invest and take care of
money, he had fixed ideas in regard to a man being master in his own house,
and he had asked Alexina for her power of attorney more to flaunt her
confidence in him and to annoy her damnable relatives than because there
might possibly be a moment when he should have need of immediate resources.
Like many Americans he chose to keep his wife in ignorance of his business
life, and it would have annoyed him excessively to go to her with an
explanation of temporary difficulties and ask for a loan.
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