A little later, as Mrs. Burton approached her, she drew back.
“Please tell us at once what decision you have reached, Polly. Do you intend to disregard your responsibility as a Camp Fire guardian and the wishes of your family and friends and return to the stage when your health as well as your age make it impossible?”
Mrs. Burton shook her head.
“Really, Aunt Patricia, that is an unkind fashion of presenting the situation and I hope the girls will not agree with you. I have no idea of giving up my position as guardian so long as the Sunrise Camp Fire girls do not desire some one else. In a few weeks they will be leaving Tahawus cabin and returning home and we have no right to be selfish enough to ask them to remain longer. As for me, I am entirely well again, thanks to you. I saw a specialist in New York and he agrees with the doctor here that I need have no further anxiety about myself. And I have had a splendid offer which has made me very happy. Really, Aunt Patricia, I am not yet too old, but as I am becoming so, all the more reason why I should return to the stage immediately. I have not wished to worry you, but the day before I left for New York I received a very discouraging letter from my husband telling me that some stock in which we had invested more heavily than we should had ceased to be of value. So you must understand the necessity for me to return to work as well as the pleasure. I know, dear, that you would help us of course, but it is not necessary and already we have accepted too much from you. I wrote Richard mentioning what I wished to do, told him not to worry over the tiresome stock, and he telegraphed his consent when I was in New York. You’ll come and live with us; I’m sure you will enjoy the winter. I have been idling too long.”
There was a silence in the room waiting for Miss Patricia to reply. Finally she arose.
“As you have arrived at your decision without consulting me and knowing it to be against my wish and judgment, Polly, there is nothing for me to say. Only bear in mind that our friendship is ended and I shall never forgive you.”
Miss Patricia stalked out of the room.
Bettina Graham put her arm about Mrs. Burton, who was slighter and small, and drew her back inside the circle.
“Don’t try to argue the question with Aunt Patricia any more to-night, dear, you are far too tired.”
“Perhaps next winter when you are in New York some of us may also spend the winter there; it is what I am hoping and planning for a part of the year, as I wish to take a special course at Columbia. I am trying to induce father and mother to give their consent,” Alice Ashton remarked.