"It seems hard to say it, yet I do not know but that you are right, my dear," agreed Mrs. Blake. "Strong men, if unhampered, have a chance to fight their way up out of the social pit. But women and girls, even when they escape the--the worst down there, can hardly hope ever to attain--And of course those that fall!--Our dual code of morality is hideously unjust to our sex, yet it still is the code under which we live."
The girl drew in a deep, sighing breath. Her eyes were dark with anguish. Yet she forced a gay little laugh. "Aren't we solemn sociologists! All we are concerned with is that _he_ has won his way up, and there's no one ever to drag him down or disgrace him; and--and you won't be jealous if I set him up on a pedestal and bring incense to him on my bended knees."
"Only you must give Thomas Herbert his share at the same time," stipulated the mother.
The girl burst into prolonged and rather shrill laughter that passed the bounds of good breeding. Her emotion was so unrestrained that when she looked about at her surprised companion her face was flushed and her eyes were swimming with tears.
"Please, oh, do please forgive me!" she begged with a humility as immoderate as had been her laughter. "I--I can't tell you why, but--"
"Say no more, my dear," soothed Mrs. Blake. "You are merely a bit hysterical. Perhaps the excitement of our coming, after your months of lonely ranch life--"
"You're so good!" sighed the girl. "Yes, it was due to--your coming. But now the worst is over. I'll not shock you again with any more such outbursts."
She smiled, and began to talk of other things, with somewhat unsteady but persistent gayety.
When the party arrived at the ranch, the girl hostess took Mrs. Blake to rest in the clean, simply furnished room provided for the visitors. Blake, after carrying in their trunk single-handed, went to look around at the ranch buildings in company with Ashton.
On returning to the house, the two found Knowles and Gowan in the parlor with the ladies. Isobel had already introduced them to Mrs. Blake and also to her son. That young man was sprawled, face up, in the cowman's big hands, crowing and valiantly clutching at his bristly mustache.
Gowan sat across from him, perfectly at ease in the presence of the city lady. But, with his characteristic lack of humor, he was unmoved by the laughable spectacle presented by his employer and the baby, and his manner was both reserved and watchful.