one's fellow-beings, to play the part of a harlequin or a ballet-girl on
the stage of life? I understand how a stupid ass can fritter away his one
chance to live in saying and hearing and doing silly things. But ought not
an intelligent person try to enjoy life, try to get something substantial
out of it, try to possess himself of its ideas and emotions? Why should one
play the fool simply because those about one are incapable of playing any
other part?"

"I'm surprised that you are here to-night. Still, I suppose you'll give
yourself absolution on the plea that one must dine somewhere."

"But I'm not wasting my time. I'm learning. I'm observing a phase of life.
And I'm seeing the latest styles in women's gowns and--"

"Is that important--styles, I mean?"

"Do you suppose that my kind of people, the working classes, would spend so
much time and thought in making anything that was not important? There is
nothing more important."

"Then you don't think we women are wasting time when we talk about dress so
much?"

"On the contrary, it is an evidence of your superior sagacity. Women talk
trade, 'shop,' as soon as they get away from the men. They talk men and
dress--fish and nets."

Berersford heard the word fish and interrupted.

"Do you go South next month, Marian?"