“The talk because we are not living together. It isn’t dangerous, but it’s uncomfortable. I believe people like us ought to maintain the best social traditions—ought to set a good example to the lower classes.”
“Oh, bother!” said I as good-humoredly as I could. “We’ll do as we please. Otherwise, where’s the use in having money?”
A pause which I felt was hopeful. Edna said with affected carelessness: “You don’t think people have a right to—to divorce?”
At last! My intuition had been correct! “Why not?” replied I, my tone as casual as hers. “Certainly, if they wish.”
A long silence. Then she: “Sometimes I feel that way myself. When two people find that they’re uncongenial, that they’d be better off—happier—if free to go their separate ways and to realize to the full their own ideals of life— Why not?”
“Precisely my view,” said I.
Again a long silence. She finally said: “Has it ever occurred to you, Godfrey, that you and I might be better off—apart?”
I laughed. “It’s a good many years now since we were together,” replied I. “We might as well be divorced as living the way we do.”
“It’s because I’ve been feeling those very things, that I’ve come back,” said she. “It seemed to me that, now I’ve fulfilled my duty to Margot, I ought to do my duty to you.”
“That’s like you,” said I. “For you life is one long sacrifice.”