supplied a driving force which smoothed out numerous little difficulties which to him had seemed insurmountable. Under her influence he walked with her in the evenings, methodically answering the soft “Good nights” which floated down to them from shadowed balconies or from doorways, instead of sitting at home drinking his usual half-gallon of double port. His mind clearer from alcohol, he brought some semblance of order to his insurance business, which had suffered greatly during his year of neglect.
He resisted sturdily and successfully her slightly less than tactful suggestions that more modern business methods be installed.
“No, Mary, I don’t want a big business—then I’d be only a slave to it, just a creature run this way or that by the machine I’ve created. I get my living as things are—and I’m satisfied.”
She was too wise to pursue the matter further but his adamant resistance did not prevent her from resolving, silently of course, to bide her time until she had the right and the power to have her way. Her intention was not consciously