Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-28
CHAPTER XXVI
IcIy ComparisOns

We did not leave the Benedicts until there
was Just time to make the J 80 train out Of
the city. 1t was terrible train and stopped
at every station. By the time we reached
Hilton | was tired almost to the point OF ex-
haustion, and neither of us said very much
about the evening but the next morning at
breakfast, Norman asked me how l had
enjoyed myself and whether liked the crowd.
'You seemed very quiet all evening" he
remarked as he buttered roll. What was
the matter?"
Nothing dear, only it isn't easy for me to
enter into the spirit of a crowd like that when
don't know any of the people. felt little
strange"
"People like that are the salt of the EARTH"
Norman continued. mo affectations about
them, and they all have something to talk
about Honestly, Joan, do you really enjoy
listening to the things Margaret and Ruth
talk about? Why, compared with woman
like Vivien Benedict, Margaret and Ruth
don't know they're alive"
But, Norman, every woman isn't as clever
Mrs. Benedict. Margaret and Ruth can't
help it if they have special talent. l. think
it's unfair to condemn them, dear. Most or
the women in this country are good wives
and mothers. It's only in New York that you
find the other kind
Norman looked up suspiciousy What
other kind?''
''Why the workers, dear, the women who
go out into the world and make money and
don't bother about keeping house in the old
way"
That's just where you're wrong. Vtvien
Benedict can cook meal as well as she
writes a column for the Star. They don't go
to restaurants every night, not by long
shot"
But her writing is much more important
to her than her home" 1 said quickly.
Norman sat down his coffee cup and his
face darkened. 81 suppose you meant that
remark for criticism on the Benedictapart-
ment," he shot out. 81 might have known
you'd feel that way. I noticed you in the
restaurant when you wiped your knife and
fork on your napkin. I suppose you thought
no one would notice that, didn't you?"
The color famed into my face, for I was
guiltily conscious Of the truth of Norman's
remark, and 1 had been so sure that no one
had seen me do that.
I'm sorry I asked you to CO." Norman
went on angrily. 81 suppose you spent the
whole evening looking about for signs of
dust. You'd judge woman by the way she
runs her apartment without caring whether
she had any gray matter in her head or not.
Well, let me tell you something. l like the
Benedicts and l like their friends, and l in
tend to go on liking them. YoVcan do as you
please about it," And without another word
he rose, pushed his chair back and stalked
out of the room. =
It was the first time since our marriage
that Norman had spoken to me like that and
more than the harsh tone of his voice and
the unfairness of what he had said did L
mind the TACT that Dack OF IL all was Nl'Ieh
Benedict He was championing her far more
than her cause. He was taking her part
against me and because Of her he had spoken
TO me as I had never believed he could.
fingered only moment after he had left
the room, and then / rose and hurried after
him, but I no sooner reached the hall when
I heard the screen door Of the porch slam
and [ realized that Norman had gone without
saying good-by to me. 1t wa the first time
he had ever done such a thing, and after all.
had been married less than three months
and could hardly be blamed for the feeling
of utter detection that swept suddenly over
me. - J