ve wasted two whole years,' I shot it over from the shoulder. 'Two
whole years, trying to compete with them'--I nodded toward the
Avenue--'according to their own rules. And you've been coaching me, when
all the while you knew I was licked, that way, before I started. Now let
_them_ compete with _me_, according to _my_ rules, for a change. Let
them run to their dressmakers and order their gowns a little lower and
their skirts a little higher and lie to themselves and say they must keep
in style, when they know they've got to keep their men and don't care how
they do it. Let _them_ try it--damn 'em!'

"I shouldn't have cussed. But I couldn't help it. I was bitter. If
they'd only been frank and man-to-man about it. The toughest birds in
the world stand in the middle of the ring and shake hands before they try
to murder each other. If they'd just said, 'This is no pretty game, this
is a finish fight,' I'd have loved 'em for it. I guess women can't be
frank and man-to-man.

"One set of rewards for me--and one for them! Abstract for me--and
concrete for them! Two sets of rules! It's time some authority drafted
a new set, to cover both ends of this deal. But in the meantime--'I
don't want to play that way,' I said. 'I'd rather fight!'"

Abruptly she stopped.

"And I've been fighting ever since," she spoke in a less urgent fashion.
"And I'm going to keep on fighting--right up to the end. But you--is
that the kind of stuff they slipped you too, Cele?"

Cecille had been listening without a sound, her eyes clinging to
Felicity's face, which was twisted, somewhat awry.

"Is that what they slipped you too?"

Cecille licked her lips. They were dry.

"I--I guess so."

"And that suits you? You think that's fair and square?"

"I don't know," Cecille whispered dully. "I don't know."

"Then it's time you found out," Felicity flung at her fiercely. "I had
to. It was put up to me just as cold. I didn't want to, any more than
you do. They aren't my rules; they're theirs! But I had to decide. And
it's time you figured it out."

Again Cecille touched her lip with the tip of her tongue.

"I've been trying to," she faltered. "But I--it don't seem to me as
though I want as much as you do. I'd be content with oh-so-little. With
a home, and a--and a man from whom I didn't shrink when he touched me
and--and--" She could go no further. That was too vivid, too intimate.

It was Felicity who displayed her