3
But it really was Phyllis!—that was the strange thing about the whole affair.... Clive had at last confided to him that Phyllis was in town, but told him nothing more; it was Rose-Ann who told him that Phyllis had come to Chicago, unknown to Clive, and got herself a job, before letting him know anything of her plans.
“He’s finding her quite too much for him,” said Rose-Ann.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I mean—she’s been his pupil, as it were, all along. Now she’s demonstrating her independence.”
“Where is she living?” he asked, and when Rose-Ann said she didn’t know, he told her of the girl he had seen who looked like Phyllis.
“Why didn’t you speak to her and find out?” she asked impatiently.
“Why, I thought it must be a mistake,” he said awkwardly.
“You really don’t care anything about people at all, do you, Felix?” she said.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because it’s true. You’re interested only in ideas. A girl who was at your wedding comes and lives in the same house with you, and you never even speak to her! You are a strange creature, Felix. For heaven’s sake, knock at her door, and bring her around to see us. Just because she wants to be queer and not see anybody is no reason why we shouldn’t be friendly.”