Keeping up with Lizzie | Page 9

has happened; or maybe you take
the arm o' yer wife or yer daughter an' walk away. Aleck leaned a little
in both directions. But, sir, Sam didn't care to know my opinion of him.
Never said another word to me on the subject, but came again to ask
about the money.
"'Look here, Sam,' I says. 'You tell Lizzie that I want to have a talk with
her at four o'clock in this office? If she really wants to buy this man, I'll
see what can be done about it.'
"'All right, you talk with her,' says he, an' went out.
"In a few minutes Dan showed up.
"'Have you seen Lizzie?' says I.
"'Not to speak to her,' says Dan. 'Looks fine, doesn't she?'
"'Beautiful!'I says. 'How is Marie Benson?'
"'Oh, the second time I went to see her she was trying to keep up with
Lizzie,' says he. 'She's changed her gait. Was going to New York after a

lot o' new frills. I suppose she thought that I wanted a grand lady.
That's the trouble with all the girls here. A man might as well marry the
real thing as an imitation. I wish Lizzie would get down off her high
horse.'
"'She's goin' to swap him for one with still longer legs,' I says. 'Lizzie is
engaged to a gentleman o' fortune in the old country.'
"Dan's face began to stretch out long as if it was made of injy-rubber.
"'It's too bad,' says he. 'Lizzie is a good-hearted girl, if she is spoilt.'
"'Fine girl!' I says. 'An', Dan, I was in hopes that she would discover
her own folly before it was too late. But she saw that others had begun
to push her in the race an' that she had to let out another link or fall
behind.'
"'Well, I wish her happiness,' says Dan, with a sigh.
"'Go an' tell her so,' I says. 'Show her that you have some care as to
whether she lives or dies.'
"I could see that his feelin's had been honed 'til they were sharp as a
razor.
"'I've seen that fellow,' he says, 'an' he'll never marry Lizzie if I can
prevent it. I hate the looks of him. I shall improve the first opportunity I
have to insult him.'
"'That might be impossible,' I suggested.
"'But I'll make the effort,' says Dan.
"As an insulter I wouldn't wonder if Dan had large capacity when
properly stirred up.
"'Better let him alone. I have lines out that will bring information. Be
patient.'

"Dan rose and said he would see me soon, an' left with a rather stern
look in his face.

III
IN WHICH LIZZIE DESCENDS FROM A GREAT HEIGHT
"Lizzie was on hand at the hour appointed. We sat down here all by
ourselves.
"'Lizzie,' I says, 'why in the world did you go to Europe for a husband?
It's a slight to Pointview--a discouragement of home industry.'
"'There was nobody here that seemed to want me,' she says, blushin'
very sweet.
"She had dropped her princess manner an' seemed to be ready for
straight talk.
"'If that's so, Lizzie, it's your fault,' I says.
"'I don't understand you,' says she.
"'Why, my dear child, it's this way,' I says. 'Your mother an' father have
meant well, but they've been foolish. They've educated you for a
millionairess, an' all that's lackin' is the millions. You overawed the
boys here in Pointview. They thought that you felt above 'em, whether
you did or not; an' the boys on Fifth Avenue were glad to play with you,
but they didn't care to marry you. I say it kindly, Lizzie, an' I'm a friend
o' yer father's, an' you can afford to let me say what I mean. Those
young fellows wanted the millions as well as the millionairess. One of
our boys fell in love with ye an' tried to keep up, but your pace was too
hot for him. His father got in trouble, an' the boy had to drop out. Every
well-born girl in the village entered the race with ye. An era of
extravagance set in that threatened the solvency, the honor, o' this sober
old community. Their fathers had to borrow money to keep agoin'.
They worked overtime, they importuned their creditors, they wallowed

in low finance while their daughters revelled in the higher walks o' life
an' sang in different languages. Even your father--I tell you in
confidence, for I suppose he wouldn't have the courage to do it--is in
financial difficulties. Now, Lizzie, I want to be kind to you, for I
believe you're a good girl at heart, but you ought to know that all this is
what your accomplishments have accomplished.'
"She rose an' walked across the room, with