And the second:
“My eight children which I bore my husband gave me much joy and some sorrow. I was so proud of my son, Charlie.”
And the last:
“I was known as the rich spinster of the place where I lived. Ah, they little knew that money does not, can not, make one happy. Why had I to be sterile?”
To my dying day, I shall hear that plaintive, unselfish question. And when they tap my skull, the answer will be graven there.
The strange professor put the metal balls and the tubes back in their place, and closed the valise. We issued forth again upon the sidewalk.
“Why was it that only women spoke?” I asked.
“Because most women die keeping the true secrets of their existence; whereas few men can maintain a life-long self within a self. Men are more vain, but they have less pride than women. Goodnight! Good-bye!”
Without another word the strange professor took a passing street car and left me stark alone. And I walked for hours before I cared, or rather dared, to go to my hotel. Daylight was coming through the windows when at last I reached my rooms. The mummy case was gone! The closet door was open, and the closet empty! I went into Sandy’s room, and there he sat awaiting me.
“Lor’, maarstar, you done do me wrong. I jest come home, after tryin’ to spy on you. I sees you once with two gen’lemen.”