第28章

It did not strike her as in the least grotesque that she should be makingof Robert the object of conversation and leading her husband to speak of him.The sentiment which she entertained for Robert in no way resembled that which she felt for her husband, or had ever felt, or ever expected to feel.She had all her life long been accustomed to harbor thoughts and emotions which never voiced themselves.They had never taken the form of struggles.They belonged to her and were her own, and she entertained the conviction that she had a right to them and that they concerned no one but herself.Edna had once told Madame Ratignolle that she would never sacrifice herself for her children, or for any one.Then had followed a rather heated argument; the two women did not appear to understand each other or to be talking the same language.Edna tried to appease her friend, to explain.

"I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life for my children; but I wouldn't give myself.I can't make it more clear; it's only something which I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me.""I don't know what you would call the essential, or what you mean by the unessential," said Madame Ratignolle, cheerfully; "but a woman who would give her life for her children could do no more than that--your Bible tells you so.I'm sure I couldn't do more than that.""Oh, yes you could!" laughed Edna.

She was not surprised at Mademoiselle Reisz's question the morning that lady, following her to the beach, tapped her on the shoulder and asked if she did not greatly miss her young friend.

"Oh, good morning, Mademoiselle; is it you? Why, of course I miss Robert.Are you going down to bathe?""Why should I go down to bathe at the very end of the season when I haven't been in the surf all summer," replied the woman, disagreeably.

"I beg your pardon," offered Edna, in some embarrassment, for she should have remembered that Mademoiselle Reisz's avoidance of the water had furnished a theme for much pleasantry.Some among them thought it was on account of her false hair, or the dread of getting the violets wet, while others attributed it to the natural aversion for water sometimes believed to accompanythe artistic temperament.

Mademoiselle offered Edna some chocolates in a paper bag, which she took from her pocket, by way of showing that she bore no ill feeling.She habitually ate chocolates for their sustaining quality; they contained much nutriment in small compass, she said.They saved her from starvation, as Madame Lebrun's table was utterly impossible; and no one save so impertinent a woman as Madame Lebrun could think of offering such food to people and requiring them to pay for it.

"She must feel very lonely without her son," said Edna, desiring to change the subject."Her favorite son, too.It must have been quite hard to let him go."Mademoiselle laughed maliciously.

"Her favorite son! Oh, dear! Who could have been imposing such a tale upon you? Aline Lebrun lives for Victor, and for Victor alone.She has spoiled him into the worthless creature he is.She worships him and the ground he walks on.Robert is very well in a way, to give up all the money he can earn to the family, and keep the barest pittance for himself.Favorite son, indeed! I miss the poor fellow myself, my dear.I liked to see him and to hear him about the place the only Lebrun who is worth a pinch of salt.He comes to see me often in the city.I like to play to him.That Victor! hanging would be too good for him.It's a wonder Robert hasn't beaten him to death long ago.""I thought he had great patience with his brother," offered Edna, glad to be talking about Robert, no matter what was said.

"Oh! he thrashed him well enough a year or two ago," said Mademoiselle."It was about a Spanish girl, whom Victor considered that he had some sort of claim upon.He met Robert one day talking to the girl, or walking with her, or bathing with her, or carrying her basket--I don't remember what;--and he became so insulting and abusive that Robert gave him a thrashing on the spot that has kept him comparatively in order for a good while.It's about time he was getting another.""Was her name Mariequita?" asked Edna.

"Mariequita--yes, that was it; Mariequita.I had forgotten.Oh, she's a sly one, and a bad one, that Mariequita!"Edna looked down at Mademoiselle Reisz and wondered how shecould have listened to her venom so long.For some reason she felt depressed, almost unhappy.She had not intended to go into the water; but she donned her bathing suit, and left Mademoiselle alone, seated under the shade of the children's tent.The water was growing cooler as the season advanced.Edna plunged and swam about with an abandon that thrilled and invigorated her.She remained a long time in the water, half hoping that Mademoiselle Reisz would not wait for her.

But Mademoiselle waited.She was very amiable during the walk back, and raved much over Edna's appearance in her bathing suit.She talked about music.She hoped that Edna would go to see her in the city, and wrote her address with the stub of a pencil on a piece of card which she found in her pocket.

"When do you leave?" asked Edna."Next Monday; and you?""The following week," answered Edna, adding, "It has been a pleasant summer, hasn't it, Mademoiselle?""Well," agreed Mademoiselle Reisz, with a shrug, "rather pleasant, if it hadn't been for the mosquitoes and the Farival twins."