I felt choked with indignation. "I don't believe you, I don't believe it's true," I stormed. "Look at such women as--" (I named a number of prominent women stars). "They are honoured and respected----"
"You mean their accomplishment, their art is honoured. Each and every one of these women has been grist to the mill. Do you suppose that side of it ever reaches the public? No, and what's more, it's none of the public's business. These women are successful. The price they have paid is their own secret. Don't misunderstand me--I'm not sitting in judgment on the women of the stage, any more than I would sit in judgment on you if you went wrong. I'm telling you the conditions that exist--conditions which every woman who enters the theatrical profession has got to face sooner or later. You had your first experience to-day...."
It had grown quite dark in the room. Miss Burton got up and moved about in the twilight. I almost hated her. I could not prevent myself from saying, "Do you think it is nice to befoul your own nest?"
She answered me gently: "You don't understand my motive, girlie. I wouldn't say these things to an outsider for anything in the world. Why, if a thing like this were to be given to the public, the whole theatrical profession would rush into print to deny it. There would be an awful noise, but _each and every one of them knows it's the truth_, _God's truth_, _and nothing but the truth_." We were again silent. Miss Burton sighed heavily.
"You know, girlie, if I were an artist I should like to paint my conception of the 'divine art.' The divine art is a soulless procuress; she takes your youth, your beauty and your virtue. She saps you dry, and, at the first signs of age, she turns you out."
Miss Burton stopped in front of the large photograph of Will which adorned the mantel. After a lengthy scrutiny, she said:
"Fine head! Looks as if he would have made a good lawyer."
"He was educated for the law," I answered proudly.
Miss Burton looked out of the window with a far-away look. Then she came to me and took both my hands in hers.
"Little girl, why don't you persuade him to give up the stage and go back to the law?"
"Because he does not like the law, and because he has a great career as an actor ahead of him," I retorted, feeling myself on the verge of tears.