After a significant pause Selma said in a tone that was certainly not encouraging, "Obviously."
"I was altogether wrong about Doctor Charlton," said Jane. "I'm convinced now that he's the only really intelligent doctor in town. I'm trying to persuade father to change to him."
"Well, good-by," said Selma. She was eager to get away, for she suddenly felt that Jane was determined to talk about Victor before letting her go.
"You altered toward me when I made that confession—the night of the riot," said Jane abruptly. "Are you in love with him, too?"
"No," said Selma.
"I don't see how you could help being," cried Jane.
"That's because you don't know what it is to be busy," retorted Selma. "Love—what you call love—is one of the pastimes with your sort of people. It's a lazy, easy way of occupying the thoughts."
"You don't know me as well as you think you do," said Jane. Her expression fascinated Selma—and made her more afraid than ever.
Impulsively Selma took Jane by the arm. "Keep away from us," she said. "You will do no good. You can only cause unhappiness—perhaps most of all to yourself."
"Don't I know that!" exclaimed Jane. "I'm fighting it as hard as I can. But how little control one has over oneself when one has always been indulged and self-indulgent."