“It is you who introduce these astonishing suggestions, not I,” he replied coldly. “It is you who couple your name with his--somewhat to my surprise, I admit--but let me suggest that we drop the subject. You are excited just now, and you might say things that you would prefer to leave unsaid. It would surely be better for all concerned to say no more about it.” Alice, staring across the table at him with knitted brows, emitted a sharp little snort of indignation. “Well, I never! Theron, I wouldn't have thought it of you!” “There are so many things you wouldn't have thought, on such a variety of subjects,” he observed, with a show of resuming his breakfast. “But why continue? We are only angering each other.” “Never mind that,” she replied, with more control over her speech. “I guess things have come to a pass where a little anger won't do any harm. I have a right to insist on knowing what you mean by your insinuations.” Theron sighed. “Why will you keep harping on the thing?” he asked wearily. “I have displayed no curiosity. I don't ask for any explanations. I think I mentioned that the man had behaved insultingly to me--but that doesn't matter. I don't bring it up as a grievance. I am very well able to take care of myself. I have no wish to recur to the incident in any way. So far as I am concerned, the topic is dismissed.” “Listen to me!” broke in Alice, with eager gravity. She hesitated, as he looked up with a nod of attention, and reflected as well as she was able among her thoughts for a minute or two. “This is what I want to say to you. Ever since we came to this hateful Octavius, you and I have been drifting apart--or no, that doesn't express it--simply rushing away from each other. It only began last spring, and now the space between us is so wide that we are worse than complete strangers. For strangers at least don't hate each other, and I've had a good many occasions lately to see that you positively do hate me--” “What grotesque absurdity” interposed Theron, impatiently. “No, it isn't absurdity; it's gospel truth,” retorted Alice. “And--don't interrupt me--there have been times, too, when I have had to ask myself if I wasn't getting almost to hate you in return. I tell you this frankly.” “Yes, you are undoubtedly frank,” commented the husband, toying with his teaspoon. “A hypercritical person might consider, almost too frank.”