"No; I don't think so—at least, I don't remember. I suppose he can't help being jealous any more than the Captain can help being mulish. I guess they're just born so."
"Marked," suggested Mrs. Franklin.
"Yes—marked. I hadn't thought of that. Before we were married, Ralph was jealous of everybody who spoke to me—man, woman, or brute. I couldn't even pet the cat or talk to the dog."
"Matrimonial traits," observed the Captain's wife, sagely, "are the result of pre-nuptial tendencies. If you look carefully into the subject before you're married, you can see about what you're coming to."
"I guess that's right. I needn't have expected marriage to cure Ralph of jealousy, but, like you, I supposed it was love."
"My dear," said Mrs. Franklin, with feeling, "many a woman mistakes the flaws in a man's character for the ravages of the tender passion—before marriage."
"Well, I never!" said a soft voice behind them. "Kitty and Mamie talking scandal!"
Both women jumped.
"How did you get in?" demanded Mrs. Howard.