“Where were you thinking of going?”
“To Denver.”
Her conception of the East amused him. It was about as accurate as a New Yorker’s of the West.
“I’m glad you didn’t. It would have spoiled you and sent you back just like every other young lady the schools grind out.” 173
She turned curiously toward him. “Am I not like other girls?”
It was on his tongue tip to tell her that she was gloriously different from most girls he had known, but discretion sealed his lips. Instead, he told her of life in the city and what it means to society women, its emptiness and unsatisfaction.
His condemnation was not proof positive to her. “I’d like to go there for myself some time and see. And anyhow it must be nice to have all the money you want with which to travel,” she said.
This gave him his opening. “It makes one independent. I think that’s the best thing wealth can give—a sort of spaciousness.” He waited perceptibly before he added: “I hope you have decided to be my partner in the mine.”
“I’ve decided not to.”
“I’m sorry. But why?”