"
"Nothing duller could be imagined." Momentarily he lost his self-
restraint. "You have something inimitable, supremely valuable, and you
are dreaming like a rabbit. If you must be a mother, be that one on the
screen, for the thrilling of millions of limited minds."
"He seemed to like me." She had paid no attention to him, back again in
the thought of the Morrises' son.
"If he did," Lee dryly added; "he will very soon get over it; Ira won't
love you conspicuously."
"Why--why that never entered my head," Mina was startled; "but, yes,
how could he? And I can't bear to have anyone, the most insignificant
person alive, hate me. It makes me too wretched to sleep. They will
have to understand, be generous; I'll explain so it is entirely clear
to them." Her voice bore an actual note of fear, her delicate lips
trembled uncontrollably.
"You can't blame them, Ira and his mother, if they refuse to listen.
Eastlake as a town will dispense with you; and Claire's family--it is
really quite notable--will have their say wherever they live, in
Charleston and London and Spain. When Ira is grown up and, in his turn,
has children, they will be very bitter about your memory. However,
publicly, I suppose it will do you more good than harm. The public
loves such scandal; but, with that advertisement, the other will
continue. It isn't logical, I'll admit; except for Claire I should
support you.
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