“Well, did you meet the Senator?” she asked, her arms folded on the table and her head bent forward a trifle. She was amused to find his anger against her mother for her invasion of the Brodericks’ diverted to herself, and she willingly accepted the situation. Her husband was not used to answering questions propounded in this impertinent fashion, and his resentment increased. “Yes; certainly the Senator was there!” he answered with asperity. “And--Mrs. Tarleton?” she asked with an inflection that did not fail of its intention. “Well--yes; she was there, very greatly to my astonishment. But that has nothing to do with this matter of my going without you; the two cases are not comparable.” “You mean, Roger, that the lady and I are not comparable?” “I mean nothing of the kind! Addie, you pain me more than you can know. I had never expected you would speak to me in the tone you are using.” “Well, I have spoken to you in this tone because I have a right to maintain my own dignity under this attack you make upon me. I married you with some idea that I was to be your wife, but it seems that that understanding was on my part only. As to my mother, just what is it you wish me to do with her?” He was very angry now and his voice rose from its usual calm, assured tone. “I want you to keep your mother away from here! She is an impossible person! She threatens to make you a visit, merely for the purpose of annoying me--to abuse me for not having forced her upon the Brodericks.” “But you didn’t force her upon them; you managed very cleverly to get rid of her without letting them know she was your mother-in-law. You had asked her to make a visit here when you thought she was going abroad for an indefinite stay, but now that she is on the way to your house you ask me most inhospitably to shut the door in her face--my own mother!” “I ask you, after her conduct at the Brodericks’, to tell her she cannot come here, not at this time!” “Yes; I see; it’s to punish her for not being good.” “She asked me for a loan of money; I had hoped to spare you that, but you force me to tell you in my own defense.” “Do you know,” she replied with the most delicate shading of insolence in tone and manner, “that I had never understood before the geographical difference between Boston and Pittsburg? It seems that I can be your wife here, but that I am not quite equal to that lofty station among the élite of Boston. It’s a little hard on Pittsburg, isn’t it?” “You are outrageous--and unreasonable! I had never understood that you were so devoted to your mother--I had thought you superior to her; and now you take a stand with her as against me. It grieves me to be obliged to say to my own wife that I am disappointed in her. Bring your mother here if you like; humiliate me in my house if you want to! I shall have nothing more to say in the matter.” He rose and struck the table sharply, glowering down at her.