"And Frank simply won't—besides, I don't want to be regarded as keeper to a lunatic. Failing you and Tom, I'll have to attend the meetings with Rensslaer or Min Toplady—or both! We don't want our friends when we are in the right, but to dig us out of holes that our own folly has let us into—though in spite of everything I'm glad, glad I drove yesterday!"
"It's true I have some influence over Tom," said Effie thoughtfully.
"Boundless," murmured Gay.
"But I don't think it goes far enough to make him attend, or consent to my appearing at, a Trotting Meeting. I believe he's really glad Carlton's warned off—a sort of being saved from the evil to come, you know."
"If the man I married, refused to perform an act of Christian charity for my greatest friend, I'd know the reason why, that's all," said Gay curtly.
Effie gasped. This was a new Gay, with whom she did not know how to reckon—evidently Trotting was spoiling her sweet temper....
"But is it charity?" she said.
"Didn't you say just now how you'd have liked to do what I did?" cried Gay in a rage, "and now you're jibbing at the consequences! I don't—I face them. And it's just a piece of snobbishness for Tom to turn up his nose at what is good enough for Rensslaer, and the very pick of American sportsmen!"
"Yes, everywhere but in England," said Effie absently.
Gay's jibes had hit her hard, and she was wondering if it would be possible to persuade Tom...