"And you didn't know that his father is William J. Shafton, the
multi-millionaire?" Opal brought the words out like little sharp
points that seemed to glitter affluently as she spoke them.
"No," said Marilyn, "I didn't know. But it doesn't matter. We hadn't
anything better to offer him than we've given, and I don't know why I
should have been impressed by that. A man is what he is, isn't he? Not
what his father is. He isn't your--brother--is he? I was over at
the church when you arrived and didn't hear the introductions. I didn't
even get your name."
Opal laughed uproariously as if the subject were overwhelmingly
amusing: "No," she said recovering, "I'm just Opal. Fire Opal they call me
sometimes, and Opalescence. That's Laurie's name for me, although
lately he's taken to calling me Effervescence. No, he's not my brother
little Simple Lady, he's just one of my friends. Now don't look
shocked. I'm a naughty married lady run off on a spree for a little
fun." Marilyn regarded her thoughtfully: "Now stop looking at me with those solemn eyes! Tell me what you were
thinking about me! I'd lots rather hear it. It would be something
original, I'm sure. You're nothing if not original!"
"I was just wondering why," said Marilyn still thoughtfully.
"Why what?"
"Why. Why you did it. Why you wanted to be that kind of a
married woman when the real kind is so much more beautiful and
satisfactory."
"What do you know about it?" blazed Opal, "You've never been married,
have you?"
"My mother has had such a wonderful life with my father--and my father
with my mother!"
Opal stared at her amazed for an instant, then shrugged her shoulders
lightly: "Oh, that!" she said and laughed disagreeably, "If one wants to
be a saint, perhaps, but there aren't many men-saints I can tell
you! You haven't seen my husband or you wouldn't talk like that!
Imagine living a saintly life with Ed Verrons! But my dear, wait till
you're married! You won't talk that rubbish any more!"
"I shall never marry unless I can," said Lynn decidedly, "It would be
terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!"
"Oh, love!" said Opal contemptuously, "You can love any one you want to
for a little while. Love doesn't last. It's just a play you soon get
tired to death of. But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust
and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the
lawn. He's seen more of the world than you know. I saw it in his eyes.
There! Now don't set your eyes to blazing again. I won't mention him
any more to-night. And don't worry about me, I'm going to be good and
run back to-morrow morning in time to meet my dear old hubby in the
evening when he gets back from a week's fishing in the Adirondacks, and
he'll never guess what a frolic I've had. But you certainly do amuse me
with your indifference. Wait till Laurie gets in some of his work on
you. I can see he's crazy already about you, and if I don't decide to
carry him off with me in the morning I'll miss my guess if he doesn't
show you how altogether charming the son of William J. Shafton can be.
He never failed to have a girl fall for him yet, not one that he
went after, and he's been after a good many girls I can tell
you."