"I don't know!" said Pendleton slowly. "Normally she should be subdued and retiring--keep out of the way for a year or two. But you never can tell. Much depends on Lorraine's attitude.--If he were only half a man! but he isn't--he's a damn nincompoop." "How could Lorraine go gunning for Amherst when he didn't know where to gun?" asked Burgoyne. "He at least could have held his peace and shot Amherst on sight. But he didn't even do that--he sniffled, and cried, and bemoaned, and didn't know his own mind for an hour at a time. I've no patience with him." "It seems not!" agreed Burgoyne. "But you must remember Lorraine is young, and that not every one is blessed with your calm determination and decision. I rather think the majority of men would do as he has done--temporize." "Temporize! maybe--but he didn't even temporize; he shilly-shallied like a weather cock." "I see--you think that because Stephanie Lorraine had the courage to run off, and may have courage to return, she thereby has proven that she has nerve sufficient for both of them, so they would better hitch up again and go on in double harness!" laughed Burgoyne. "That may be the truth!" said Pendleton, "but all I said was that if she will take him back he would better take her. They are about equally culpable, so they can wipe off the slate and start afresh." "Do you really think that is possible?" Burgoyne inquired. "Certainly it's possible!" "Here--in this town?" "Why not?--it is their _own_ affair--no one has a scintilla of right to question their decision. A husband may take his wife back, surely!" "Granted, in the abstract--but what will be Society's judgment upon the wife?" "The men will forget it. The women will cease to remember--after a time." "After a generation or two!" Burgoyne remarked. "It depends on the woman herself--on how she acts," said Pendleton. "Somewhat--but it depends more on the women and how they feel. You said, a moment ago, that women were poor forgetters. This is one of the crimes they never forgive nor forget." "Not exactly. They never forget the woman who has been unfortunate _before_ marriage and has been found out. They have a slightly different code for a married woman who has gone wrong and is caught--and then rights herself. If she is prudent and has money, caste, and friends, she'll pull herself through after a year or so." "She will be more apt to pull through if her husband sticks to her," Burgoyne replied. "I thought that was understood!" Pendleton responded. "And if the husband--divorces her?" Pendleton raised his hands. "I don't know," he reflected. "Again, however, I think that it depends on the woman and money and caste and friends. What would be impossible for some is easily possible for others." "How would it be with Stephanie Lorraine?" Burgoyne asked. For a while Pendleton watched the smoke circle from his cigarette and was silent. Then he dropped the cigarette into the ash tray, slowly drew out another and lit it.