Then she laughed, for in her own existence eating did not enter very largely. A salary of one pound one shilling per week does not admit of extravagant menus. A woman can keep the roses of her cheeks flowering upon very little. With a man it is different. A man, to be a man, must set his teeth in solid victuals, or nature denied will deny.
She thought over her exchange with the leading man, and was glad she had stood up for Wynne. It offended her that a fat, luxurious fellow should say what he chose, and imagine himself immune from counter-attack on account of his position in the company. She would not have been at ease with her conscience if she had acted otherwise. In the circumstances Eve did not prosper well with her reading that night. “Heroes and Hero Worship” was cast aside to make room for other considerations.
At the rehearsal next day it was with almost a proprietary interest she responded to Wynne’s flickering greeting.
“You are making a reputation,” he said, and added, “by the easiest way.”
“What way is that?”
“Being frank with your superiors.”
“Is it easy?”
“Assuredly—if you have the courage. Most people are content to accept their superiors as being superior. Invert the principle—tell an accepted success you consider him an ass—and you create an immediate interest in yourself.”
“It wasn’t my reason,” said Eve.
“Wasn’t it?” He seemed quite surprised.