They went about with copies under their arms, on the street,
in the shops, at luncheons, even at the matinee, and "could talk of nothing
else." Sibyl and Janet bought a dozen copies each and sent them to friends
and acquaintances with the advice to read it at once unless they wished to
be hopelessly out of date: it was "all the rage in New York."
As a matter of fact, with the exception of Aileen and possibly Janet, the
book almost terrified them with its pounding vigor and grim relentless
logic, even its romantic realism, which made its tragedy more poignant and
sinister by contrast; and, again with the exception of Aileen, they were
little interested in Gora. But they were loyally devoted to Alexina and
obeyed, as a matter of course, her request to help her make the book a
success. They worked with the sterner determination as Alexina in her own
efforts was obliged to be extremely subtle.
Besides, it, was rather thrilling not only to know a real, author but
almost to have her in the family as it were. Their industrious sowing bore
an abundant harvest and Gora's novel became the fashion. Whether people
hated it or not, and most of them did, they discussed it continually, and
when a book meets with that happy fate personal opinions matter little.
II
Maria thought the book was "awful" and forbade Joan to read it. Joan
thought (to Alexina) that it was simply the most terribly fascinating book
she had ever read and made her despise society more than ever and more
determined to light out and see life for herself first chance she got.
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