The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-05
Photo
Looking south from summit OF Castle Mountain.


II there had been any element Of pas
sion in the transaction he would have
felt less deteriorated by 1t. The fact
that Alice took her change OF husbands
like change Of weather reduced the
situation TO mediocrity. He could have
forgiven her for blunders. for excuses.
for resisting Haskell, for yielding to
Narick; for anything hut her acquies-
cence and her tact.
And then gradually habit formed a
protecting surface for his sensibilities.
II he paid for each days comfort with
the small change of his illusions he
grew daily to value the comfort more
and set less store upon the coin. He
had drifted into dulling propinquity
with Haskell and Narick and he took
refuge in the cheap revenge Of satiriz-
ing the situation. He even began to
reckon up the advantages which ac-
crued from it. to ask himself II 1t We're
not better to own third of wife who
knew how to make a man happy than a
whole one who had lacked opportunity
to acquire the art. For it was an art
and made up like all others, Of conces-
sions, eliminations and embellishments:
Of lights judiciously thrown and shadows
skilfully softened.
His wife knew exactly how to man
age the lights and he knew exactly to
what training she owed her skill He
even tried TO trace the source of his
obligations, to discriminate between the
influences which had combined to pro-
duce his domestic happiness: he per-
ceived that Haskett's commonncss had
made Alice worship good breeding. while
"a . -
rage bond had taught her to value the
conjugal virtues; So that he was directly
indebted To his predecessors for the de-
inspiring.
From this phase he passed into that
OF complete acceptance. He ceased to
satirize himself. because time dulcd the
irony Of the situation and the joke lost
It's humor with its sting. Even Has
ketts hat on the hall table had ceased
10 touch the springs Of epigram. The
hat was often seen there now. for il had
been decided that it was better for Lly's
rather to visit her than for the little
girl to go to his boarding house. Way
thorn. having acuuiesced in this ar
ranS"ment, had been surprised to find
how little difference it made. Haskell
was never obtrusive, and the few Wis
TORS who met him on the stairs were
unaware of his identity.
one afternoon. however, he learned ON
entering that l.ilys father was waiting
to see him. In the library he found
Haskell occupying chair in his usual
provisional way.
Il hope you'll excuse me, Mr.. Way
thorn" he said. rising. Il wanted TO see
Mrs. Waythorn about Lily, and YOUR
man asked me to wait here till she
came in"
"of course" said Waythorn. remcm-
herring that a sudden leak had that
morning given over the drawing room
To the plumbers.
lie opened his cigar case and held il
ont to his visitor, and Haskett's ac.
ceptance seemed to mark fresh stage
In their intercourse. The spring evening
was chilly and Waythorn invited his
guest To draw up his chair to the fire.
He meant to find an excuse to leave
Haskell in a moment. but he was tired
and cold and after all the little man
no longer Jared on him.
The TWO were enclosed In the intimacy
~ their blended cigar smoke when the
door opened and Varick walked into the
room, Waythorn rose abruptly. 1t was
the first time that Varick had come 10
the house and the surprise. OF seeing
INN, combined with the singular in.
opportunities Of his arrival, gave a new
edge to Waythorn's bluntod sers!bili,ies
lie stared at his visitor without speaking
Narick seemed too prosecuted To no.
tice his hosts embarrassment.