"Yes ... even though Hildreth no longer loves Penton, she's jealous of him ... the fact is, Hildreth doesn't know what she wants."
"But Darrie—Darrie is her friend?"
"Of course ... and remains her friend. Darrie doesn't want Penton. She only pities him."
I quoted the line about pity being akin to love ... "they do a lot of strolling together."
"Yes. But there's nothing between them ... not even a kiss ... of that I'm certain. Darrie is as cool as a cucumber ... and Penton is as shy with women as—you are!"
I smiled to myself. If Ruth had seen us that preceding afternoon!
"Of course the fault could not all be on Hildreth's side."
"No, they're both a couple of ninnies ... but there's this to be said for Penton, he's trying to get something done for the betterment of humanity ... while Hildreth's only a parasite."
"And Darrie—how about her? What does she do but loaf around in a more conventional manner, talking about her social prestige, the dress of one of her ancestresses in the Boston Museum, her aristocratic affiliations ... how many and how faithful those negro servants of hers are, down South ... between the two, Hildreth has the livest brain, and puts on less."
"Take care! You'll be falling in love with Penton Baxter's wife yet!"