“Don’t you think that woman’s influence is destroyed when she becomes masculine, Mr. Sprague?” parried Nannie, looking at John. “What do you mean by masculine?” queried Jim sharply. “It used to be that a woman had to turn all her money over to her husband when she married. Now she can hold on to at least some of it. Is she any less attractive? If she has a voice in the making of the laws that govern her and her children, will she become coarsened by it? Why don’t you help me out, Lucy? You know more about it than I do.” “I had rather not discuss the subject,” objected Lucy coldly, her eyes downcast. “I think she is wise,” approved John, “since you only care to ridicule and sneer at opinions other than your own.” “Nonsense, John. I wasn’t ridiculing you or anybody else. But that stuff about woman’s place in the home is mediæval. What a decent woman wants is less chivalry and more real respect and consideration.” “Then you don’t believe that women should expect politeness and deference from men at all?” insinuated Nannie. “Well, I don’t exactly believe in fighting with them,” conceded Jim, smiling once more. “I’m sure I’m not trying to get up a fight, Mr. Sprague,” Nannie snapped. “I was simply asking your view. I don’t think anybody can say I like quarrels.” “I don’t either, Mrs. Merwent, and I don’t think we are going to quarrel.” Jim spoke as though dismissing the subject. “Well, I don’t care to quarrel either,” John’s cheeks were flushed, “but I must say that I reserve the right to hold my own opinions on the subject, and do not care to be dismissed as though I were impertinent in daring to express them.” “What’s the matter with you, John?” Jim looked straight at his partner. “I don’t object to your having your opinion on this or any other subject, but I suppose I may have mine too.” “Well, please don’t call mine mediæval,” retorted John. “As I am at your table and you choose the occasion to read me a lesson in manners,” Jim flushed also, “I will of course not presume to question any further opinion of yours.” “Here! You two men frighten me,” protested Mrs. Merwent, laughing forcedly. “Let’s change the subject. What shall we talk about--golf?” “I don’t play golf, Mrs. Merwent.” Jim drank some water. “Oh, dear!” Nannie made a gesture of despair. “What shall we discuss then? Lucy, you know lots of things to talk about. You suggest something.” “It makes no difference to me what you talk about,” stated Lucy enigmatically. Jim glanced at her in surprise. She did not seem to notice his troubled eyes. “Wasn’t that a terrible scandal about Mrs. Farnsworth?” Nannie ventured again. She addressed Jim as before. “Don’t you think her husband ought to get a divorce?” “I don’t know much about it,” he answered. “Why, the papers have been full of it.” “I have only seen the headlines. I didn’t read the details.” The conversation lagged during the remainder of the meal, John hardly speaking, and Lucy saying not a word.