“Yes,” I replied. And presently I went on: “The idea of anyone I love being dependent on me in a sordid way is most distasteful to me. And since she does not love me, does not even like me, it is doubly necessary that she be independent.”
“I confess I do not quite follow you,” said he.
“How can she accept anything from me? If she should finally be compelled by necessity to do it, what hope could I have of her ever feeling toward me as a wife should feel toward her husband?”
At this explanation of mine his eyes sparkled with anger—and I could not but suspect that he had at one time in his life been faced with a problem like mine, and had settled it the other way. My suspicion was not weakened when he went on to say:
“Boyish motives again! They show you do not know women. Don’t be deceived by their delicate exterior, by their pretenses of super-refinement. They affect to be what passion deludes us into thinking them. But they’re clay, sir, just clay, and far less sensitive than we men. Don’t you see, young man, that by making her independent you’re throwing away your best chance of winning her? Women are like dogs—like dogs, sir! They lick the hand that feeds ’em—lick it, and like it.”
“Possibly,” said I, with no disposition to combat views based on I knew not what painful experience; “but I don’t care for that sort of liking—from a woman or from a dog.”
“It’s the only kind you’ll get,” retorted he, trying to control his agitation. “I’m an old man. I know human nature—that’s why I live alone. You’ll take that kind of liking, or do without.”
“Then I’ll do without,” said I.
“Give her an income, and she’ll go. I see it all. You’ve flattered her vanity by showing your love for her—that’s the way with the women. They go crazy about themselves, and forget all about the man. Give her an income and she’ll go.”
“I doubt it,” said I. “And you would, if you knew her. But, even so, I shall lose her in any event. For, unless she is made independent, she’ll certainly go with the last of the little money she has, the remnant of a small legacy.”