Revelations of a Wife | Page 4

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foolishness you absorbed when you were school ma'aming. Besides,
this cat is a thoroughbred, never been outside the home where she was
born till now. Do you happen to know what this gift you are tossing
aside so nonchalantly would have cost if it hadn't been given me by a
dear friend? A cool two hundred, that's all. It seems to me you might

try to get over your prejudices, especially when I tell you that I am very
fond of cats and like to see them around."
Dicky's voice held a note of appeal, but I chose to ignore it. My
particular little devil must have sat at my elbow.
"I am sorry," I said coldly, "but really, I do not see why it is any more
incumbent on me to try to overcome my very real aversion to cats than
it is for you to try to do without their society."
"Very well," Dicky exclaimed angrily, turning toward the door. "If you
feel that way about it, there is nothing more to be said."
Then Dicky slammed the living room door behind him to emphasize
his words, went down the hall, slammed the apartment door and ran
down the steps.
Back in the living room, huddled up in the big chair which is the chief
pride of the woman who rents us the furnished apartment, I sat, as
angry as Dicky, and heartsick besides. Our first quarrel had come!
But the cat remained. What was I to do with her? There is no cure for a
quarrel like loneliness and reflection. Dicky had not been gone a
half-hour after our disagreement over the cat before I was wondering
how we both could have been so silly.
I thought it out carefully. I could see that Dicky was accustomed to
having his own way unquestioned. He had told me once that his mother
and sister had spoiled him, and I reflected that he evidently expected
me to go on in the same way.
On the other hand, I had been absolutely my own mistress for years, the
little mother in a way being more my child than I hers. Accustomed to
decide for myself every question of my life I had no desire, neither had
I intention of doing, any clinging vine act with Dicky posing at the
strong oak.
But I also had the common sense to see that there would be real issues

in our lives without wasting our ammunition over a cat. Then, too, the
remembrance of Dicky's happy face when he thought he was surprising
me tugged at my heart.
"If he wants a cat, a cat he shall have," I said to myself, and calling my
unwelcome guest to me with a resolute determination to do my duty by
the beast, no matter how distasteful the task, I was just putting a saucer
of milk in front of her when the door opened and Dicky came in like a
whirlwind.
"How do you wear sackcloth and ashes?" he cried, catching me in his
arms as he made the query. "If you've got any in the house bring 'em
along and I'll put them on. Seriously, girl, I'm awfully sorry I let my
temper out of its little cage. No nice thing getting angry at your bride,
because she doesn't like cats. I'll take the beast back tomorrow."
"Indeed, you'll do no such thing," I protested. "You're not the only one
who is sorry, I made up my mind before you came back not only to
keep this cat, but to learn to like her."
Dicky kissed me. "You're a brick, sweetheart," he said heartily, "and
I've got a reward for you, a peace offering. Get on your frills, for we're
going to a first night. Sanders was called out of town, had the tickets on
his hands, and turned them over to me. Hurry up while I get into my
moonlights."
"Your what?" I was mystified.
"Evening clothes, goose." Dicky threw the words over his shoulder as
he took down the telephone receiver. "Can you dress in half an hour?
We have only that."
"I'll be ready."
As I closed the door of my room I heard Dicky ask for the number of
the taxicab company where he kept an account. Impulsively, I started
toward him to remonstrate against the extravagance, but stopped as I
heard the patter of rain against the windows.

"I'll leave this evening entirely in Dicky's hands," I resolved as I began
to dress.

III
KNOWN TO FAME AS LILLIAN GALE
Our taxi drew into the long line of motor cars before the theatre and
slowly crept up to the door. Dicky jumped out, raised his umbrella and
guided me into the lobby. It was filled with men and women, some