"He has every right," from Mr. Welling, square-set now like his spectacles, and earnest and definite. "The common law, covering the law of husband and wife, has been modified in some of the states, but here in our own, is practically unchanged."
"Culpepper," from Mrs. Harrison still playing with her tea-cup, to this black-haired, blue-eyed young gentleman in a chair to her left, "you promised to look up the case of that little dressmaker for me. Don't think I hunt these things. By some force of attraction seemingly, they seek me."
Culpepper took advantage of the opportunity to put his cup down. Its undiminished contents would indicate that he didn't care for tea as a beverage either. He, too, was business-like and definite.
"I took the address you gave me," he said, "and went around to see her carpenter husband. She's temporarily left him since you saw her. He admits the house was bought and paid for by her out of her earnings before he knew her. And he admits he mistreats her every time he's drunk. But the house and its contents he proposes to keep if she leaves him."
"She lost three sewing-machines once before," said Mrs. Harrison, "and a piano she'd bought by installments that was the joy and pride of her life. They were seized a week after she married him three years ago to settle debts he had contracted before he knew her."
Mr. Cannon came into the conversation. Nor was he in the least the jollying, bandying person the younger ladies were familiar with.
"Which is proof of where he on his part puts us, too," murmured Maud.
"You women, Mrs. Harrison, so seldom take the protection offered you in the ante-nuptial or marriage settlement provisions. We've just been remarking on it among ourselves, the rich women seldom, the working-woman never."
Mrs. Harrison played with the spoon in her saucer, as if considering before answering. She had been holding her cup now for some time.
"Put it down," said Mr. Welling from his stand near the fender, persuasively; "you haven't tasted it."
"No more have you yours," retorted his hostess, "nor Selina, nor Maud, nor Culpepper nor Juliette--I don't like tea myself, and I don't believe one of the rest of you do."
There was relaxation at this, and general confession, and a setting down of cups.