"Any one of a dozen. You are bored and want to take care of your money ... intend to learn something of business, as all women should, and will in time.... Ring in the feminist stuff ... wife's economic independence ... woman's new position in the world.... That will make Morty so raving angry that he will forget about the other. Will you do it?" "Yes, I will. I believe you are right. So were the others ... there must be something in it." She told Gora of the advice of Tom Abbott and Judge Lawton. Gora nodded. "They meant more than they said. And merely because they are men of the world, not because they like and trust Morty any the less." Alexina did not hear her. She was staring hard at the floor.... A year ago ... three months ago ... she couldn't have done this thing. She had been still under the illusion that she loved her husband, that her marriage was a complete success. She would have sacrificed her last penny rather than hurt his feelings. Now she only cared that she didn't care.... She had admitted to herself that she did not love her husband but that was different from committing an overt act that proved it.... She felt something crumbling within her.... It was the last of the fairy edifice of her romance ... of her first, her real, youth.... What was to take its place? The future smugly secure on six thousand a year and an inviolate social position ... a good dull husband ... not even the prospect of travel.... V She sprang to her feet and turned away her head. "Why don't you come and live with us?" she asked abruptly. "Why should you keep this on? There are so many vacant bedrooms up there. You could have one for your study. I'd love to have you. You'd have the most complete independence. Do." Gora shook her head. "I've always this to fall back on." "Fall back on?" "Oh! I never meant to let that out. However.... Perhaps it is as well.... Morty--you know his pride--everybody has his prime weakness and that is his. Transpose it into snobbery if you like.... We did not board down here. I kept a lodging house for business women. It paid well, but Morty, when he became engaged to you, insisted that I give it up. He was afraid you'd be outraged in your finest sensibilities! Well, I did. One of my lodgers resigned from her job and took it over. I entered the hospital, but kept on my room as I had to have one somewhere. Eight months later she married, and I took it back. I found I could run it as well as ever with the aid of a treasure of a Chinaman she had discovered. But I never told Morty." Alexina laughed. "Better not. But you could run it and live with us all the same." "No. I have too little time. I'd waste it coming back and forth, for I must be here some time every day.... Besides..." "Your own precious atmosphere?" "You do understand!" "Well, come to see me often. I shall need your advice."