My husband has incurred responsibilities which must be
met--if not by him, at any rate by me. No third person shall take his
share of the burden--certainly not the Rajah, who was no more than the
tool which my husband used. I would be glad if you would let every one
know that of course my money will go toward refunding those whom the
failure of the mine has injured."
Beatrice rose also. She put her two hands on Lois' shoulders.
"You needn't do it," she said. "The money is yours. It is a thing that
is done every day. The world won't say much if you stick to what is
yours."
"It is not mine. My husband's responsibilities are my
responsibilities." She paused, and then went on quietly: "Thank you
for explaining to me. I should never have understood myself, and
Archie--no doubt dreads having to tell me that of course my money must
go, too." She looked Beatrice full in the face, and they understood
each other. There are some lies which a loyal woman must carry with
her to the grave. Beatrice bent and kissed the cold face.
"You do right," she said. "I knew you would. That is why I came to
you. I have helped to bring down all this misfortune on Marut. I have
helped to lower us all in the eyes of those--those who used and ought
to look up to us. Now you are going to lift us out of the mire--Lois,
what was that?"
The two women clung to each other. Hitherto there had been no sound in
the adjoining room save the regular rise and fall of two voices.
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