Douglas van Tuiver may have to pay something for what she
has done to me? Well, what of it?" And suddenly Claire flew into a
passion, as she always did when our talk came to her rival. "Why
shouldn't she take chances the same as the rest of us? Why should I
have it and she get off?"
I fought for my composure. After a pause, I said: "It's not a thing
we want anybody to have, Claire. We don't want anybody to take such
a chance. The girl ought to have been told."
"Told? Do you imagine she would have given up her great catch?"
"She might have, how can you be sure? Anyhow, she should have had
the chance."
There was a long silence. I was so shaken that it was hard for me to
find words. "As a matter of fact," said Claire, grimly, "I thought
of warning her myself. There'd have been some excitement at least!
You remember--when they came out of church. You helped to stop me!
"
"It would have been too late then," I heard myself saying.
"Well," she exclaimed, with fresh excitement, "it's Miss Sylvia's
turn now! We'll see if she's such a grand lady that she can't get my
diseases!"
I could no longer contain myself. "Claire," I cried, "you are
talking like a devil!"
She picked up a powder-puff, and began to use it diligently.
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