A great deal has been written about love affairs that were started on board ship but the society had broken the record, for it, unlike the short passage on the ocean, had been continuous. The men and women have had an opportunity to learn more about each other. It raised the standard in each sex. Each became independent of the other financially, therefore real love matches were the result. Men’s responsibility were being shared by their wives, and they were not so afraid to venture on the matrimonial journey. One thing, they are not so likely to step into it without preparation. Paul Arling was becoming fond of Scoris Vivian, but he felt that he had no right to neglect his mother’s interests even for her. She was young, while his mother was too old to support herself. He knew that Scoris had many admirers and yet he thought to himself, “she certainly favors me. I wonder if it is because she sees more of me than the rest. I would like to know, but I have no right to ask her until I know that mother is provided for. And yet, the society has made it possible to so centralize our interests that the risk is not what it would have been without it. She wouldn’t be an added burden, for she has more shares than I have. What a blessing is rightly directed industry, combined with economy! We don’t have to wait until we can fit up an establishment. But here I am taking it for granted that she loves me and that she would have me. Ah! well, longings and wishes sometimes blind our vision. It may be purely imagination on my part, but the expression of her eyes rest on me so differently from any other. I have watched her closely, I am sure she cares for me. She thrills me through and through if she but smiles upon me; and she does not smile in the same way at any one else. Surely it is so. I would like to call upon her to-night, but I have no excuse,” he still muses. But love always finds a way, and in looking around for it, his mother appeared dressed for the street.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Oh, just for a walk, not anywhere in particular. Won’t you come along?”
“Which way?” he asked, as they stand at the door, apparently uncertain.
“I usually go to the lake,” she answered. “The air is so clear and fresh there and I like to watch the water rolling and see the people. I go there often.”
“Very well,” he replied, and they start in that direction, he turning over the thought uppermost in his mind all the time. “You go to the lake often do you?”
“Yes, quite often. Why, do you want to go anywhere else?” (She had noticed his abstracted air.) “It is immaterial to me; I am so glad to have you take a walk with me I will go anywhere.”
“Oh! that is not quite fair,” he answered, smiling. “You always have the girls to go with you, so I don’t like to intrude.”
“Lucky thought,”—he said to himself. “That new building near the Vivians’ flat, with the figures on it that were drawn by a member of our society, I will take her to see it. You know Will Green, the architect,” he continued. “Well, if you don’t mind I would like you to see a building he has been erecting. It is around on another street. We will turn here. Clever fellow, clever fellow,” he said absently. His mother looked at him sideways, wondering what he meant. He slipped his arm under her’s while they crossed the street. Presently she said: “There is no hurry, is there?” for he had quickened his pace like a horse on the home stretch, not quite running, but faster than she was accustomed to walking.
“Oh, no,” he answered as he slackened suddenly, “I didn’t know I was going so fast.” Some middle-aged women learn to be diplomatic, though it is not usual. She knew that this walk was not taken on her account, but she was not going to spoil it by letting him see that she knew it. They stopped at the building he had spoken of. He pointed out the stone carving he had brought her to see, all in a mechanical way. Then they walked along a little farther, when he in the most surprised way, that even his mother did not detect at first, said: “Why, here is where the Vivians live! Let’s make a call.” At that moment Scoris appeared at the window, and thinking that they were coming for that purpose smiled and came to the door. The intimacy between the two families became closer as time passed, for there was always something to bring them together.