There was one avenue of escape open, and only one. He had said that he was willing to offer a home to a woman who was willing to assume her share of the burden of making one. It was even possible that he would be both kind and considerate, no matter how many mistakes she made at first, to a woman who tried to learn. Of one thing she was certain, he would know how to see that his wife was treated with respect by all the world. For the moment, her bleeding pride cried to her that that was the only thing in life that was absolutely necessary. Nothing else mattered.
"Frank, will you wait a minute?"
"Sure. What can I do for you?"
"I've understood that I'm not wanted here. I'm in the way. You said just now you wanted a woman to cook and bake for you, wash and mend your clothes, and keep your shack clean and tidy. Will I do?"
"Sure."
"Nora!" Her brother was shaking her by the shoulder.
"I'm afraid you'll have to marry me."
"I guess it would be more respectable."
"Nora, you can't mean it: you're in a temper! See here, Frank, you mustn't pay any attention to her."
"Shameless, that's what I call it." That was Gertie.