第92章

``Because I've been hoping I could devise some way of getting them without the use of money.Did it ever occur to you that almost nothing that's been of real and permanent value to the world was built with money? The things that money has done have always been badly done.''

``Let me help you,'' said Jane earnestly.``Give me something to do.Teach me how to do something.I am SO bored!--and so eager to have an occupation.I simply can't lead the life of my class.

``You want to be a lady patroness--a lady philanthropist,'' said Charlton, not greatly impressed by her despair.``That's only another form of the life of your class--and a most offensive form.''

``Your own terms--your own terms, absolutely,'' cried Jane in desperation.

``No--marry Hull and go into upper and middle class politics.

You'll be a lady senator or a lady ambassador or cabinet officer, at least.''

``I will not marry David Hull--or anybody, just yet,'' cried Jane.``Why should I? I've still got ten years where there's a chance of my being able to attract some man who--attracts me.

And after that I can buy as good a husband as any that offers now.Doctor Charlton, I'm in desperate, deadly earnest.And Iask you to help me.''

``My own terms?''

``I give you my word.''

``You'll have to give your money outright.No strings attached.

No chance to be a philanthropist.Also, you'll have to work--have to educate yourself as I instruct you.''

``Yes--yes.Whatever you say.''

Charlton looked at her dubiously.``I'm a fool to have anything to do with this,'' he said.``You aren't in any way a suitable person--any more than I'm the sort of man you want to assist you in your schemes.You don't realize what tests you're to be put through.''

``I don't care,'' said Jane.

``It's a chance to try my theory,'' mused he.``You know, Iinsist we are all absolutely the creatures of circumstance--that character adapts itself to circumstance--that to change a man or a town or a nation --or a world--you have only to change their fundamental circumstances.''

``You'll try me?''

``I'll think about it,'' said Charlton.``I'll talk with Victor Dorn about it.''

``Whatever you do, don't talk to him,'' cried Jane, in terror.

``He has no faith in me--'' She checked herself, hastily added--``in anybody outside his own class.''

``I never do anything serious without consulting Victor,'' said Charlton firmly.``He's got the best mind of any one I know, and it is foolish to act without taking counsel of the best.''

``He'll advise against it,'' said Jane bitterly.

``But I may not take his advice literally,'' said Charlton.

``I'm not in mental slavery to him.I often adapt his advice to my needs instead of adopting it outright.''

And with that she had to be content.

She passed a day and night of restlessness, and called him on the telephone early the following morning.As she heard his voice she said:

``Did you see Victor Dorn last night?''

``Where are you?'' asked Charlton.

``In my room,'' was her impatient answer.

``In bed?''

``I haven't gotten up yet,'' said she.``What IS the matter?''

``Had your breakfast?''

``No.I've rung for it.It'll be here in a few minutes.''

``I thought so,'' said Charlton.

``This is very mysterious--or very absurd,'' said Jane.

``Please ring off and call your kitchen and tell them to put your breakfast on the dining-room table for you in three-quarters of an hour.Then get up, take your bath and your exercises--dress yourself for the day--and go down and eat your breakfast.How can you hope to amount to anything unless you live by a rational system? And how can you have a rational system unless you begin the day right?''

``DID you see Victor Dorn?'' said Jane--furious at his impertinence but restraining herself.

``And after you have breakfasted,'' continued Charlton, ``call me up again, and I'll answer your questions.''

With that he hung up his receiver.Jane threw herself angrily back against her pillow.She would lie there for an hour, then call him again.But--if he should ask her whether she had obeyed his orders? True, she might lie to him; but wouldn't that be too petty? She debated with herself for a few minutes, then obeyed him to the letter.As she was coming through the front hall after breakfast, he appeared in the doorway.

``You didn't trust me!'' she cried reproachfully.

``Oh, yes,'' replied he.``But I preferred to talk with you face to face.''

``DID you see Mr.Dorn?''

Charlton nodded.``He refused to advise me.He said he had a personal prejudice in your favor that would make his advice worthless.''

Jane glowed--but not quite so thrillingly as she would have glowed in the same circumstances a year before.

``Besides, he's in no state of mind to advise anybody about anything just now,'' said Charlton.

Jane glanced sharply at him.``What do you mean?'' she said.

``It's not my secret,'' replied Charlton.

``You mean he has fallen in love?''

``That's shrewd,'' said Charlton.``But women always assume a love affair.''

``With whom?'' persisted Jane.

``Oh, a very nice girl.No matter.I'm not here to talk about anybody's affairs but yours--and mine.''

``Answer just one question,'' said Jane, impulsively.``Did he tell you anything about--me?''

Charlton stared--then whistled.``Are YOU in love with him, too?'' he cried.

Jane flushed--hesitated--then met his glance frankly.``I WAS,''

said she.

``WAS?''

``I mean that I'm over it,'' said she.``What have you decided to do about me?''

Charlton did not answer immediately.He eyed her narrowly--an examination which she withstood well.Then he glanced away and seemed to be reflecting.Finally he came back to her question.

Said he:

``To give you a trial.To find out whether you'll do.''

She drew a long sigh of relief.

``Didn't you guess?'' he went on, smilingly, nodding his round, prize-fighter head at her.``Those suggestions about bed and breakfast--they were by way of a beginning.''

``You must give me a lot to do,'' urged she.``I mustn't have a minute of idle time.''

He laughed.``Trust me,'' he said.