“You haven’t started to expect anything of me.... Oh, yes, had to have a _mahatma_ in the story. It’s the new thing. Everybody’s got one since the War. Not enough to go round.... This _mahatma_ of mine in Chi is wise to the stock exchange. It’s his tip, you know, that the whole tale turns on. Reader never thinks of it--until it’s pulled.” “Where did you get your model?” He laughed again. “Right in the family, Pan. Been going to hear Adolphus. Say, you never did appreciate your father. Bad habit of yours, Pan, honest to God--to lose respect for a man just because you live with him.” Pidge was in a whirl. Her hands dropped down to the seat of her chair on either side and gripped hard. The world looked about as big to her as Delaware; Amritsar and New York signaling to each other. “Heard him this afternoon--in the ballroom of the _Pershing_--swell crowd out,” Rufe pursued. “Talked on Lytton’s _Zanoni_. I’m going to read that book. And didn’t Adolph put it over to the damsels and dowagers! Just what I need for my white _mahatma_. Where does the old man get all that? It’s a wonder you haven’t gotten in on your father’s stuff, Pan.” She wanted Miss Claes as never before. This was too much for one small person to hold. When she really listened again, Rufe was asking to go upstairs with her to see her room. “It’s just a common room. What’s the use?” “Little afraid to see me alone, eh, Pan?” “Not afraid--only what’s the use?” “You might see it different----” “I might have once, Rufe----” “Say, Pan----” “Yes?” “Does Mrs. Melton want to be free?” Her hands dropped to the seat of her chair again. She saw the new want in his eyes and something else--the old captive thing. There were two possible answers to his question, and it took every minute of her twenty-five years, and all that had gone before, to choose. This is what she said: “Mrs. Melton will never be free!” “What--what do you mean?” “Ask your _mahatma_, Rufe.” L DICKY’S IDEA WORKS PIDGE felt the hugeness of life around her at last. Doors were being opened as never before. She saw as clearly as if Rufe Melton had confessed to her, that it was he who wanted to be free. She could grant this well enough; having been forced to it, in effect, from the beginning. He would doubtless come again soon, making it plain that he wanted her to agree to divorce. The point was that certain barriers and limitations in her own life were suddenly lifted. It was as if she had emerged from a city, to the shore of the sea, and before her eyes was an unbroken horizon line.