The New Woman Part 34

Of course! you had my card.

MARGERY.

I knew from uncle, too. How good of him to bring it all about!

LADY WARGRAVE.

Theodore!

MARGERY.

I mean, to reconcile you!

LADY WARGRAVE.

My dear Margery, your uncle has never presumed to mention the subject?

MARGERY.

Oh, what a story he has told us! he said it was _his_ doing.

LADY WARGRAVE.

No doubt. When you know Theodore as well as I do, you will have learnt what value to attach to his observations!

MARGERY.

Won't I pay him out?

[_Shaking her fist._

LADY WARGRAVE.

Never mind your uncle. Tell me about yourself--and about Gerald. I hope your marriage has turned out a happy one.

MARGERY.

Yes--we're as happy as the day is long.

LADY WARGRAVE.

That is good news. Then you haven't found your new position difficult?

MARGERY.

Oh, I'm quite used to it! I'm not a bit shy now. Of course I put my foot in it--I make mistakes sometimes; but even born ladies sometimes make mistakes.

LADY WARGRAVE.

Yes, Margery. [_Bending her head slightly._] And Gerald?

MARGERY.

Is the best husband in the world to me. Of course, he's very busy----

LADY WARGRAVE.

Busy?

MARGERY.

With his book; and sometimes I can't help annoying him. That's nothing. We haven't had a real cross word yet.

LADY WARGRAVE.

Does he write very much?

MARGERY.

Oh, morning, noon, and night. He's always got a pen in his hand. I often say I wonder he doesn't wear the ceiling out with looking at it.

[_Laughs._

LADY WARGRAVE.

That isn't writing, Margery.

MARGERY.

No, but it's thinking--and he's always thinking.

[_Falls into a reverie._

LADY WARGRAVE.

Do you go out much?

MARGERY.

We went out a good deal at first, but we got tired of it. I like home best; at any rate, Gerald does. I rather liked going out. Oh, I'm quite a success in society.

LADY WARGRAVE.

Indeed?

MARGERY.

Of course, aunt, I'm not clever; but I suppose I'm witty without knowing it!