Betty slowly hung up the receiver, slipped into a scarlet sweater, and prepared for a walk in the country. The vivid color contrasted strongly with the pale cheeks, that had grown whiter and whiter of late. Her mind dwelt only on one subject. In two days the fatal knot would be tied--would she able to live up to the bargain? Could she give full pay for value received? Walter, she knew, was the embodiment of gentleness and would make a good husband, but she craved for someone whom she must strive to win, and then plan to hold; neither had been necessary here. She had won him without competition, and now he was wholly at her command. “If only he were more elusive,” she thought, “if only he went to places and did a few things without me.” “I miss the office dreadfully, Marty,” said she between yawns. “You always wanted to be out of it when you were there,” answered her aunt in a tone of surprise. “The work was drudgery, simply because filing cards required no brains. It was only repetition, but it was something to do.” “It will not be long that you will wish for something to do. Soon there will be work, work and more work.” “How can one work without an incentive?” “An incentive! What more of an incentive could you and Walter wish than each other? You must conjure him to climb rung by rung to the top of the ladder, and that can be done only by setting a good example. A wife can lead her husband in paths that are good or bad. A man is more pliant than a woman, more susceptible to influence; therefore, she leads and he follows. One must be careful not to leave the other behind. Bear and forbear, and pull together.” “Walter is entirely too easily led,” said Betty musingly. “That’s only because he loves you,” said her aunt in absolute surprise, “and without the charms that were given you by God, you never could have won him. And remember, the seeds of love must be sown very deeply now, in order to hold him when your charms have failed. Beauty doesn’t last forever, and age makes furrows in women’s faces much quicker than in those of men. Men are out in the world where a variety of people and circumstances tends to keep them young; their minds are diverted, and they have no time for worry over petty annoyances, while women’s minds become stagnant from the repetition of a daily routine. Their lives are confined within a narrow periphery, and there are only a few who enlarge the circle by wandering forth.” Betty hurriedly made preparations to be gone. “Why will you not see Walter this afternoon when he wants so much to see you?” “I just want to be alone,” flung back Betty as she closed the door, but she had walked only a short distance when on turning the corner, she ran full into Jack. Always immaculately dressed, he wore the nonchalant air of a person who was confident that his appearance was an asset. “And where is Walt this fine afternoon?” he asked, manifesting his pleasure at the chance meeting.