When she got back home two hours
and a half later, bringing her purchases in a cab, Sperry had
gone and Rod was asleep. She sat in the bathroom, with the
gas lighted, and worked at "Cavalleria" until she heard him
calling. He had awakened in high good-humor.
"That was an awful raking you gave me before Sperry came,"
began he. "But it did me good. A man gets so in the habit of
ordering women about that it becomes second nature to him.
You've made it clear to me that I've even less control over
you than you have over me. So, dear, I'm going to be humble
and try to give satisfaction, as servants say."
"You'd better," laughed Susan. "At least, until you get on
your feet again."
"You say we don't love each other," Rod went on, a becoming
brightness in his strong face. "Well--maybe so. But--we suit
each other--don't we?"
"That's why I want to stay," said Susan, sitting on the bed
and laying her hand caressingly upon his. "I could stand it
to go, for I've been trained to stand anything--everything.
But I'd hate it."
He put his arm round her, drew her against his breast.
"Aren't you happy here?" he murmured.
"Happier than any place else in the world," replied she softly.
After a while she got a small dinner for their two selves on
the gas stove she had brought with her and had set up in the
bathroom. As they ate, she cross-legged on the bed opposite
him, they beamed contentedly at each other.
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