"It seems not!" agreed Burgoyne. "But you must remember Lorraine is young, and that not every one is blessed with your calm determination and decision. I rather think the majority of men would do as he has done—temporize."
"Temporize! maybe—but he didn't even temporize; he shilly-shallied like a weather cock."
"I see—you think that because Stephanie Lorraine had the courage to run off, and may have courage to return, she thereby has proven that she has nerve sufficient for both of them, so they would better hitch up again and go on in double harness!" laughed Burgoyne.
"That may be the truth!" said Pendleton, "but all I said was that if she will take him back he would better take her. They are about equally culpable, so they can wipe off the slate and start afresh."
"Do you really think that is possible?" Burgoyne inquired.
"Certainly it's possible!"
"Here—in this town?"
"Why not?—it is their own affair—no one has a scintilla of right to question their decision. A husband may take his wife back, surely!"
"Granted, in the abstract—but what will be Society's judgment upon the wife?"
"The men will forget it. The women will cease to remember—after a time."