"They're going to Italy to live."
"A compromise?" I quoted, rather bitterly. "'Not victory but a truce.' You and I made that marriage. It was the T. C. that did it."
Basil took the cablegram from the mantel and deliberately read it. When he got to the signature he drew a long breath and then he grinned.
"So that's that!" he said. "Well, Maggie, are you going back to father, or—staying here with me?"
"You're afraid of me."
"I'll take the risk, Madge. I didn't tell you, Uncle Egbert died while you were away."
"I've been in jail for stealing," I quavered. "And I'd do it again, Basil, for the Cause."
"Bless the Cause," said Basil manfully. "Why shouldn't you vote, if you want to? Aren't you cleverer, and lovelier, and more courageous than any man that ever lived? Anyhow, you're right. Things are rotten. What sane government would lock a man up because his wife refuses to pay her taxes?"
I lifted my head from his shoulder.
"That wretched house at home——" I began.