Then Ethel described her last two interviews with Dora. She did this with scrupulous fidelity, making no suggestions that might prejudice the case. For she really wanted her grandmother's decision in order to frame her own conduct by it. Madam was not, however, in a hurry to give it.
"What do you think?" she asked Ethel.
"I have known Dora for many years; she has always told me everything.""But nothing about Fred?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing to tell, perhaps?"
"Perhaps."
"Where does her excellent husband come in?"
"She says he is very kind to her in his way.""And his way is to drag her over the world to see the cathedrals thereof, and to vary that pleasure with inspecting schools and reformatories and listening to great preachers. Upon my word, I feel sorry for the child! And Iknow all about such excellent people as the Stanhopes. I used to go to what they call `a pleasant evening' with them. We sat around a big room lit with wax candles, and held improving conversation, or some one sang one or two of Mrs. Hemans' songs, like `Passing Away' or `He Never Smiled Again.' Perhaps there was a comic recitation, at which no one laughed, and finally we had wine and hot water--they called it `port negus'--and tongue sandwiches and caraway cakes. My dear Ethel, I yawn now when Ithink of those dreary evenings. What must Dora have felt, right out of the maelstrom of New York's operas and theaters and dancing parties?""Still, Dora ought to try to feel some interest in the church affairs. She says she does not care a hairpin for them, and Basil feels so hurt.""I dare say he does, poor fellow! He thinks St. Jude's Kindergarten and sewing circles and missionary societies are the only joys in the world. Right enough for Basil, but how about Dora?""They are his profession; she ought to feel an interest in them.""Come now, look at the question sensibly.
Did Dora's father bring his `deals' and stock-jobbery home, and expect Dora and her mother to feel an interest in them? Do doctors tell their wives about their patients, and expect them to pay sympathizing visits?
Does your father expect Ruth and yourself to listen to his cases and arguments, and visit his poor clients or make underclothing for them? Do men, in general, consider it a wife's place to interfere in their profession or business?""Clergymen are different."
"Not at all. Preaching and philanthropy is their business. They get so much a year for doing it. I don't believe St. Jude's pays Mrs. Stanhope a red cent. There now, and if she isn't paid, she's right not to work. Amen to that!""Before she was married Dora said she felt a great interest in church work.""I dare say she did. Marriage makes a deal of difference in a woman's likes and dislikes.
Church work was courting-time before marriage; after marriage she had other opportunities.""I think you might speak to Fred Mostyn----"
"I might, but it wouldn't be worth while.
Be true to your friend as long as you can.
In Yorkshire we stand by our friends, right or wrong, and we aren't too particular as to their being right. My father enjoyed justifying a man that everyone else was down on;and I've stood by many a woman nobody had a good word for. I was never sorry for doing it, either. I'll be going into a strange country soon, and I should not wonder if some of them that have gone there first will be ready to stand by me. We don't know what friends we'll be glad of there."The dinner bell broke up this conversation, and Ethel during it told Madam about the cook and cooking at the Court and at Nicholas Rawdon's, where John Thomas had installed a French chef. Other domestic arrangements were discussed, and when the Judge called for his daughter at four o'clock, Madam vowed "she had spent one of the happiest days of her life.""Ruth tells me," said the Judge, "that Dora Stanhope called for Ethel soon after she left home this morning. Ruth seems troubled at the continuance of this friendship.
Have you spoken to your grandmother, Ethel, about Dora?""She has told me all there is to tell, I dare say," answered Madam.
"Well, mother, what do you think?"
"I see no harm in it yet awhile. It is not fair, Edward, to condemn upon likelihoods.
We are no saints, sinful men and women, all of us, and as much inclined to forbidden fruit as any good Christians can be. Ethel can do as she feels about it; she's got a mind of her own, and I hope to goodness she'll not let Ruth Bayard bit and bridle it."Going home the Judge evidently pondered this question, for he said after a lengthy silence, "Grandmother's ethics do not always fit the social ethics of this day, Ethel. She criticises people with her heart, not her intellect.
You must be prudent. There is a remarkable thing called Respectability to be reckoned with remember that."And Ethel answered, "No one need worry about Dora. Some women may show the edges of their character soiled and ragged, but Dora will be sure to have hers reputably finished with a hem of the widest propriety."And after a short silence the Judge added, almost in soliloquy, "And, moreover, Ethel, "`There's a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will.'"PART FOURTH THE REAPING OF THE SOWING
