At this thought, that my fiancee had endangered his hand and the rest of his person in order to acquire money for our ultamate marriage, my anger died.
I therfore submitted to an embrase, and washed the car, which was covered with mud, as Tom had but one hand and that holding a cigarette.
Now and then, Dear Reader, when not to much worried with finances, I look back and recall those halycon days when Love had its place in my life, filling it to the exclusion of even suficient food, and rendering me immune to the questions of my Familey, who wanted to know how I spent my time.
Oh, magic eyes of afection, which see the beloved object as containing all the virtues, including strong features and intellagence! Oh, dear dead Dreams, when I saw myself going down the church isle in white satin and Dutchess lace! O Tempora O Mores! Farewell.
What would have happened, I wonder, if father had not discharged Smith that night for carrying passengers to the Club from the railway station in our car, charging them fifty cents each and scraching the varnish with golf clubs?
I know not.
But it gave me the idea that ultimately ruined my dearest hopes. This was it. If Smith could get fifty cents each for carrying passengers, why not I? I was unknown to most, having been expatriated at School for several years. But also there were to stations, one which the summer people used, and one which was used by the so-called locals.
I was desparate. Money I must have, whether honestly or not, for mother had bought me some more things and sent me the bill.
“Because you will not do it yourself,” she said. “And I cannot have it said that we neglect you, Barbara.”
The bill was ninety dollars! Ye gods, were they determined to ruin me?