He wrote to her now and then. Always she answered his letter the
following day.
About the end of April he wrote: "DEAR ATHALIE, "About everything seems to conspire to keep me from seeing
you; business--in a measure,--social duties; and, to tell the
truth, a mistaken but strenuous opposition on my mother's
part.
"She doesn't know you, and refuses to. But she knows me,
and ought to infer everything delightful in the girl who has
become my friend. Because she knows that I don't, and never
did affect the other sort.
[Illustration: "He rather liked being with his own sort again."] "Every day, recently, she has asked me whether I have seen
you. To avoid unpleasant discussions I haven't gone to see
you. But I am going to as soon as this unreasonable alarm
concerning us blows over.
"It seems very deplorable to me that two young people cannot
enjoy an absolutely honest friendship unsuspected and
undisturbed.
"I miss you a lot. Is the apartment comfortable? Does Michael
do everything you wish? Did the cat prove a good one? I sent
for the best Angora to be had from the Silver Cloud Cattery.
"Now tell me, Athalie, what can I do for you? Please! What
is it you need; what is it you would like to have? Are you
saving part of your salary?
"Tell me also what you do with yourself after business hours.
Have you seen any shows? I suppose you go out with your
sisters now and then.
"As for me I go about more or less. For a while I didn't:
business seemed to revive and everybody in real estate became
greatly excited. But it all simmered down again to the usual
routine. So I've been going about to various affairs, dances
and things. And, consequently, there's peace and quiet at
home for me.
"Always yours,
"C BAILEY, JR."
"P.S. As I sit here writing you the desire seizes me to drop
my pen, put on my hat and coat and go to see you. But I
can't. There's a dinner on here, and I've got to stay for it.
Good night, dear Athalie!
"CLIVE."
His answer came by return mail as usual: "DEAR CLIVE, "Your letter has troubled me so much. If your mother feels
that way about me, what are we to do? Is it right for us to
see each other?
"It is true that I am not conscious of any wrong in seeing
you and in being your friend. I know that I never had an
unworthy thought concerning you. And I feel confident that
your thoughts regarding our friendship and me are blameless.
Where lies the wrong?