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."Queer how Kilbourne went into raising hogs," observed Morrison."Such aPage 97 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmllow-down sort of work, you know.""He had no choice," replied Carley."Glenn didn't have a father who madetainted millions out of the war.He had to work.And I must differ with youabout its being low-down.No honest work is that.It is idleness that is lowdown.""But so foolish of Glenn when he might have married money," rejoinedMorrison, sarcastcally."The honor of soldiers is beyond your ken, Mr.Morrison."He flushed darkly and bit his lip."You women make a man sick with this rot about soldiers," he said, the gleamin his eye growing ugly."A uniform goes to a woman's head no matter what'sinside it.I don't see where your vaunted honor of soldiers comes inconsidering how they accepted the let-down of women during and after the war.""How could you see when you stayed comfortably at home?" retorted Carley."All I could see was women falling into soldiers' arms," he said, sullenly."Certainly.Could an American girl desire any greater happiness--oropportunity to prove her gratitude?" flashed Carley, with proud uplift ofhead."It didn't look like gratitude to me," returned Morrison."Well, it was gratitude," declared Carley, ringingly."If women of Americadid throw themselves at soldiers it was not owing to the moral lapse of theday.It was woman's instinct to save the race! Always, in every war, womenhave sacrificed themselves to the future.Not vile, but noble!.Youinsult both soldiers and women, Mr.Morrison.I wonder--did any American girlsthrow themselves at you?"Morrison turned a dead white, and his mouth twisted to a distorted checkingof speech, disagreeable to see."No, you were a slacker," went on Carley, with scathing scorn."You let theother men go fight for American girls.Do you imagine one of them will evermarry you?.All your life, Mr.Morrison, you will be a marked man--outside the pale of friendship with real American men and the respect of realAmerican girls."Morrison leaped up, almost knocking the table over, and he glared at Carleyas he gathered up his hat and cane.She turned her back upon him.From thatmoment he ceased to exist for Carley.She never spoke to him again.Next day Carley called upon her dearest friend, whom she had not seen forsome time."Carley dear, you don't look so very well," said Eleanor, after greetings hadbeen exchanged."Oh, what does it matter how I look?" queried Carley, impatiently."You were so wonderful when you got home from Arizona.""If I was wonderful and am now commonplace you can thank your old New YorkPage 98 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlfor it.""Carley, don't you care for New York any more?" asked Eleanor."Oh, New York is all right, I suppose.It's I who am wrong.""My dear, you puzzle me these days.You've changed.I'm sorry.I'm afraidyou're unhappy.""Me? Oh, impossible! I'm in a seventh heaven," replied Carley, with a hardlittle laugh."What 're you doing this afternoon? Let's go out--riding--orsomewhere.""I'm expecting the dressmaker.""Where are you going to-night?""Dinner and theater.It's a party, or I'd ask you.""What did you do yesterday and the day before, and the days before that?"Eleanor laughed indulgently, and acquainted Carley with a record of hersocial wanderings during the last few days."The same old things-over and over again! Eleanor don't you get sick of it?"queried Carley."Oh yes, to tell the truth," returned Eleanor, thoughtfully."But there'snothing else to do.""Eleanor, I'm no better than you," said Carley, with disdain."I'm as uselessand idle.But I'm beginning to see myself--and you--and all this rotten crowdof ours.We're no good.But you're married, Eleanor.You're settled in life.You ought to do something.I'm single and at loose ends.Oh, I'm in revolt!.Think, Eleanor, just think.Your husband works hard to keep you in thisexpensive apartment.You have a car.He dresses you in silks and satins.Youwear diamonds.You eat your breakfast in bed.You loll around in a pinkdressing gown all morning.You dress for lunch or tea.You ride or golf orworse than waste your time on some lounge lizard, dancing till time to comehome to dress for dinner.You let other men make love to you.Oh, don't getsore.You do.And so goes the round of your life.What good on earth areyou, anyhow? You're just a--a gratification to the senses of your husband.Andat that you don't see much of hint.""Carley, how you rave!" exclaimed her friend."What has gotten into youlately? Why, everybody tells me you're--you're queer! The way you insultedMorrison--how unlike you, Carley!""I'm glad I found the nerve to do it.What do you think, Eleanor?""Oh, I despise him.But you can't say the things you feel.""You'd be bigger and truer if you did.Some day I'll break out and flay youand your friends alive.""But, Carley, you're my friend and you're just exactly like we are.Or youwere, quite recently.""Of course, I'm your friend.I've always loved you, Eleanor," went on Carley,earnestly."I'm as deep in this--this damned stagnant muck as you, or anyone.Page 99 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlBut I'm no longer blind.There's something terribly wrong with us women, andit's not what Morrison hinted.""Carley, the only thing wrong with you is that you jilted poor Glenn--and arebreaking your heart over him still.""Don't--don't!" cried Carley, shrinking."God knows that is true.But there'smore wrong with me than a blighted love affair.""Yes, you mean the modern feminine unrest?""Eleanor, I positively hate that phrase 'modern feminine unrest!' It smacksof ultra--ultra--Oh! I don't know what.That phrase ought to be translated bya Western acquaintance of mine--one Haze Ruff.I'd not like to hurt yoursensitive feelings with what he'd say.But this unrest means speed-mad,excitement-mad, fad-mad, dress-mad, or I should say undress-mad, culture--mad, and Heaven only knows what else.The women of our set are idle,luxurious, selfish, pleasure-craving, lazy, useless, work-and-childrenshirking, absolutely no good.""Well, if we are, who's to blame?" rejoined Eleanor, spiritedly."Now, CarleyBurch, you listen to me.I think the twentieth-century girl in America is themost wonderful female creation of all the ages of the universe.I admit it.That is why we are a prey to the evils attending greatness.Listen.Here is acrying sin--an infernal paradox.Take this twentieth-century girl, thisAmerican girl who is the finest creation of the ages
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