"I don't care. I think it's outrageous, agitating against the
government, when we may have war----"
Ned's bright eyes went from one to the other. "Pell's right, you don't
know much about socialism, Hollis. I've been reading books at the
library--it's great stuff!"
"Let father catch you!"
"I'm glad to see you back, anyhow," Pelham smiled. "Drop by the
Charities building some morning and we'll talk over Sheff."
Hollis called, and the brothers had lunch together. Although the younger
said nothing of it, Pelham could not help feeling the other's distaste
at the dingy side-office in the Charities building where the older did
his work now. And Pelham observed with a twinge of envy his brother's
lavish order for the meal, his excessive tipping. Hollis planned nothing
for the good of the world; money was his without asking; while in his
own case....
Well, he did not need to worry yet. He was not making enough to support
himself and Jane; but their fund was still sizable; and as soon as the
strike uncertainty was over, he could get into something permanent.
There was more cause for worry in the stagnation of the mine struggle.
Thanks to the men's dogged persistence, production on the mountain was
less than half normal. The companies could not hold out forever. Still,
the inaction was wearing; he felt a restlessness against the whole
fettering situation ... including the pestering details of the house on
Haviland Avenue.
Other causes, unknown to him, egged on this unrest. The years of
affection absorbed in his mother had so accustomed him to her that in
his later loves he constantly looked for her characteristics, her most
trifling traits. Jane was like her, in many ways; but he was discovering
more ways in which she was dissimilar. Her directness, for one thing,
was not the Barbour sweetness. And since she was not a reincarnation of
Mary, and the door to the mountain was shut, not only by the present
situation but by the rooted inhibition which forever banned his mother
as the object of his man's affections, the deep imperative urged him
forth again. He would be finally content, although he did not phrase it
this clearly, with no less than perfection in woman--perfection to him
meaning Mary; which is another way of saying that he could not be
content. Thus he must still seek. The headstrong wildness of the
mountain intensified the gipsying urge. Sooner or later, he felt
vaguely, these forces would push him to some definite move. The
uncertainty lay as to when, and in what direction, the outbreak would
occur.
Opportunity never delays, when the strong heart demands it. A note from
Louise told of her arrival in the city, and gave her phone number. First
impulse was to ring her up at once; he had not realized how much he
wanted to see her. He thought over the matter; there was no harm in one
last ride.
He called up both women, alleging a visit to strike headquarters to one,
and preempting the other for the afternoon. Just before three he claimed
the New Orleans girl.
"Come on," he told her delightedly, holding her cool hands hidden in
his. "It's too fine an afternoon to rust indoors."
A short while later he experimented diffidently. "You know, I'm
married."
"Yes, Mr. Lover; I suppose I saw the lady in my city."
"Well?"