“And he let the question pass without knocking down the questioner?”
“There never was anything fit to eat in the house, and his clothes were never fit to wear.”
“Poor dear!” I observed. “Had his income anything to do with it?”
“She kept him from getting on,” expostulated my old chum.
“And he brought all his grievances to you for redress?”
“I expected to meet nothing but prejudiced opposition in you,” said Jennie. “But of course I was bound to tell you. You cannot say anything to alter my determination.”
My head whirled with this spectacle of a sane woman suddenly gone mad over a worthless man. Shakespeare never touched the weakness of womankind so closely as when he made Titania’s infatuation. The greater the ass, the more Titania adores him.
“I hate such an irregular marriage!” I said, breathing quickly.
“Yes, I know you do,” retorted Jennie. “You’re the slave of society. You wouldn’t have the courage to go against one of society’s whims.”
“I don’t want that kind of courage which tramples on decent marriage customs. And you were the first to teach me the value of an irreproachable standing before the world.”