No More Learning

Mallowe smiled in a superior and Sphinxlike fashion.

"I became an Influence," said she.

"Good gracious, child, you didn't join the Theosophists and kiss
Buddha's big toe, did you? I tried to get into their set once, but they
cast me out for a skeptic--without a chance of improving my poor little
mind, too. "

"No, I didn't Theosophilander. Jack says"--

"Never mind Jack. What a husband says is known before. What did you do? "

"I made a lasting impression. "

"So have I--for four months. But that didn't console me in the least. I
hated the man. Will you stop smiling in that inscrutable way and tell me
what you mean? "

Mrs. Mallowe told.
* * * * * *

"And--you--mean--to--say that it is absolutely Platonic on both sides? "

"Absolutely, or I should never have taken it up. "

"And his last promotion was due to you? "

Mrs. Mallowe nodded.

"And you warned him against the Topsham girl? "

Another nod.

"And told him of Sir Dugald Delane's private memo about him? "

A third nod.

"Why? "

"What a question to ask a woman! Because it amused me at first. I am
proud of my property now. If I live he shall continue to be successful.
Yes, I will put him upon the straight road to Knighthood, and everything
else that a man values. The rest depends upon himself.