第92章

If damages are paid on that basis,it means the daily inspection of every car which passes over their lines.And more than that:there are certain defects,as in the present case,which an inspection would not reveal.

When a man accepts employment on a railroad he assumes a certain amount of personal risk,--it's not precisely a chambermaid's job.And the lawyer who defends such cases,whatever his personal feelings may be,cannot afford to be swayed by them.He must take the larger view.""Why didn't you tell me about it before?"she asked.

"Well,I didn't think it of enough importance--these things are all in the day's work.""But Mr.Krebs?How strange that he should be here,connected with the case!"I made an effort to control myself.

"Your old friend,"I said."I believe you have a sentiment about him."She looked up at me.

"Scarcely that,"she replied gravely,with the literalness that often characterized her,"but he isn't a person easily forgotten.He may be queer,one may not agree with his views,but after the experience I had with him I've never been able to look at him in the way George does,for instance,or even as father does.""Or even as I do,"I supplied.

"Well,perhaps not even as you do,"she answered calmly."I believe you once told me,however,that you thought him a fanatic,but sincere.""He's certainly a fanatic!"I exclaimed.

"But sincere,Hugh-you still think him sincere.""You seem a good deal concerned about a man you've laid eyes on but once."She considered this.

"Yes,it is surprising,"she admitted,"but it's true.I was sorry for him,but I admired him.I was not only impressed by his courage in taking charge of me,but also by the trust and affection the work-people showed.He must be a good man,however mistaken he may be in the methods he employs.And life is cruel to those people.""Life is-life,"I observed."Neither you nor I nor Krebs is able to change it.""Has he come here to practice?"she asked,after a moment.

"Yes.Do you want me to invite him to dinner?"and seeing that she did not reply I continued:"In spite of my explanation I suppose you think,because Krebs defended the man Galligan,that a monstrous injustice has been done.""That is unworthy of you,"she said,bending over her stitch.

I began to pace the room again,as was my habit when overwrought.

"Well,I was going to tell you about this affair if you had not forestalled me by mentioning it yourself.It isn't pleasant to be vilified by rascals who make capital out of vilification,and a man has a right to expect some sympathy from his wife.""Did I ever deny you that,Hugh?"she asked."Only you don't ever seem to need it,to want it.""And there are things,"I pursued,"things in a man's province that a woman ought to accept from her husband,things which in the very nature of the case she can know nothing about.""But a woman must think for herself,"she declared."She shouldn't become a mere automaton,--and these questions involve so much!People are discussing them,the magazines and periodicals are beginning to take them up."I stared at her,somewhat appalled by this point of view.There had,indeed,been signs of its development before now,but I had not heeded them.And for the first time I beheld Maude in a new light.

"Oh,it's not that I don't trust you,"she continued,"I'm open to conviction,but I must be convinced.Your explanation of this Galligan case seems a sensible one,although it's depressing.But life is hard and depressing sometimes I've come to realize that.I want to think over what you've said,I want to talk over it some more.Why won't you tell me more of what you are doing?If you only would confide in me--as you have now!I can't help seeing that we are growing farther and farther apart,that business,your career,is taking all of you and leaving me nothing."She faltered,and went on again."It's difficult to tell you this--you never give me the chance.And it's not for my sake alone,but for yours,too.You are growing more and more self-centred,surrounding yourself with a hard shell.You don't realize it,but Tom notices it,Perry notices it,it hurts them,it's that they complain of.Hugh!"she cried appealingly,sensing my resentment,forestalling the words of defence ready on my lips."I know that you are busy,that many men depend on you,it isn't that I'm not proud of you and your success,but you don't understand what a woman craves,--she doesn't want only to be a good housekeeper,a good mother,but she wants to share a little,at any rate,in the life of her husband,in his troubles as well as in his successes.She wants to be of some little use,of some little help to him."My feelings were reduced to a medley.

"But you are a help to me--a great help,"I protested.

She shook her head."I wish I were,"she said.

It suddenly occurred to me that she might be.I was softened,and alarmed by the spectacle she had revealed of the widening breach between us.I laid my hand on her shoulder.

"Well,I'll try to do better,Maude."

She looked up at me,questioningly yet gratefully,through a mist of tears.But her reply--whatever it might have been--was forestalled by the sound of shouts and laughter in the hallway.She sprang up and ran to the door.