he protested
against this hotel-like custom she would say: "I don't expect you to
appreciate my viewpoint and my wishes, but at least be well-bred
enough to tolerate them!"

He was on the point of reminding her that his viewpoint and wishes
were treated only with argument and ridicule--but as usual he
refrained. Silence on the part of one who knows he is in the right yet
chooses apparently to yield the point in question is a significant
milestone on the road of separation. An argument with Beatrice meant
one of two outcomes: A violent scene of temper and overwrought nerves
with tears as the conquering slacker's weapon or a long, sulky period
of tenseness which made him take refuge in his office and his club.

He wondered sometimes how it was he had never before realized the
true worth of his wife, how he had been so madly infatuated and
adoring of her slightest whim during the years of earning his fortune
and the brief period of their formal engagement. Almost reluctantly
the anaesthesia of unreality and distorted values was disappearing,
leaving Steve with but one conclusion: That it had been his own
conceited fault, and therefore he deserved scant pity from either
himself or the world at large.

Mark Constantine, whose activities lessened each month, due to ill
health, began prowling about Steve's office at unexpected hours,
cornering him for prosy talks and conferences, under which Steve
writhed in helpless surrender. Since he realized the true meaning of
his marriage he began placing the blame on the culprit--Beatrice's
father. As he did so he wondered if it was possible that Constantine
did not realize the havoc he had wrought. His wealth and Steve's
speedily accumulated fortune via hides and government razors suddenly
seemed stupid, inane; and he no longer felt a sense of pride at what
he had accomplished. He never wanted to hear details of Constantine's
more gradual and bitter rise in the world; there was certain to be
slimy spots of which Steve in his new frame of mind could no longer
approve. He was weary of hearing about money, just as his good sense
caused him to be weary of socialistic prattling and absurd pleas for
Bolshevism. It seemed to him that the dollar standard was the
paramount means both magnate and socialist used to value inanimate and
animate objects. He longed for a new unit of measure.

He was keen on business trips. At least he could have the freedom of
his hotel and could roam about wit