Kathryn at this put up her mouth to be kissed while behind her innocent smile she was picturing the girl of King’s Forest 232 in those awful muddy trousers! She had heard the book in the making; she had not been pushed aside.
More and more Mary-Clare became a stumbling block to Kathryn. She felt she was a dangerous type; the kind men never could understand, until it was too late, and never forgot. And Brace was changed. The subtle unrest did not escape Kathryn.
“I wonder–––” And Kathryn did wonder. Wondered most at the possibility of Mary-Clare ever appearing on the surface again. For––and this was a humiliating thought to Kathryn––she realized she was no match for that girl of the Forest!
However, Kathryn, as was her wont when things went wrong, pulled down the shade mentally, as once she had done physically, against the distasteful conditions Brace had evolved.
And there was much to be attended to––so Kathryn, with great efficiency, set to work. She must make provision for her aunt’s future. This was not difficult, for poor Anna was so relieved that any provision was to be considered, that she accepted Kathryn’s lowest figure.
Then there was Arnold. Sandy, at the moment, was disgusted at Northrup’s return. It interfered with his plans. Sandy had a long and keen scent. The trouble overseas had awakened a response in him, he meant to serve the cause––but in his own way. Secretly he was preparing. He was buying up old vessels, but old vessels were expensive and the secrecy prevented his borrowing money. He wanted to get married, too. Kathryn, with only his protection and he with Kathryn’s little fortune, would create, at the moment, a situation devoutly to be desired.
Kathryn had to deal with this predicament cautiously. Sandy was so horribly matter-of-fact––not a grain of Northrup’s idealism about him! But for that very reason, in the abominably upset state of the world, he was not lightly to be cast on the scrap-heap. One never could tell! Brace might act up sentimentally, but Sandy could be depended upon always––he was a rock!
So Kathryn, embroidering her wedding linen––for she meant to be married soon––prayed for guidance.
On the whole, the situation was most gratifying. No wonder Kathryn felt well pleased with herself and more fully convinced that, with such wits as hers, life was reduced to a common factor. Once married she would be able to draw a long breath. Marriage was such a divine institution for women. It gave them such a stranglehold––with the right sort of men––and Brace was the right sort.