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1、THE FOOLISH VIRGINTHE FOOLISH VIRGINby THOMAS DIXONTO GERTRUDE ATHERTON WITH GRATITUDE ANDADMIRATION109CHAPTER IA FRIENDLY WARNINGMary Adams, youre a fool!The single dimple in a smooth red cheek smiled in answer. Youre repeating yourself, JaneYou wont give him one hours time for just three sittings?
2、 Not a second for one sittingHopeless!Mary smiled provokingly, her white teeth gleaming in obstinate good humor.Hes the most distinguished artist in AmericaIve heard so.It would be a liberal education for a girl of your training to know such a manIll omit that course of instruction.The younger woman
3、 was silent a moment, and a flush of anger slowly mounted her temples. The blue eyes were fixed reproachfully on her friend.You really thought that I would pose? I hoped so.Alone with a man in his studio for hours? Jane Anderson lifted her dark brows.Why, no, I hardly expected that! Im sure he would
4、 take his easel and palette out into the square in front of the Plaza Hotel and let you sit on the base of the Sherman monument. The crowds would cheer and inspire him-bah! Cant you have a little common- sense? There are a few brutes among artists, as there are in all professions-even among the supe
5、rintendents of your schools. Gordons a great creative genius. If youd try to flirt with him, hed stop his work and send you home. Youd be as safe in his studio as in your mothers nursery. Ive known him for ten years. Hes the gentlest, truest man Ive ever met. Hes doing acanvas on which he has set hi
6、s whole heart. He can get professional models.For his usual work, yes-but this is the head of the Madonna. He saw you walking with me in the Park last week and has been to my studio a half-dozen times begging me to take you to see him. Please, Mary dear, do this for my sake. I owe Gordon a debt I ca
7、n never pay. He gave me the cue to the work that set me on my feet. He was big and generous and helpful when I needed a friend. He asked nothing in return but the privilege of helping me again if I ever needed it. You can do me an enormous favor-please.Mary Adams rose with a gesture of impatience, w
8、alked to her window and gazed on the torrent of humanity pouring through Twenty-third Street from the beehives of industry that have changed this quarter of New York so rapidly in the last five years. She turned suddenly and confronted her friend.How could you think that I would stoop to such a thin
9、g? Stoop!Yes, she snapped, -pose for an artist! Id as soon think of rushing stark naked through Twenty-third Street at noon!The older woman looked at her flushed face, suppressed a sharp answer, broke into a fit of laughter and threw her arms around Marys neck.Honey, youre such a hopeless little foo
10、l, youre delicious! You know that I love you-dont you?The pretty lips quivered. Yes.Could I possibly ask you to do a thing that would harm a single brown hair of your head?The firm hand of the older girl touched a rebellious lock with tenderness.Of course not, from your point of view, Jane dear, the
11、 stubborn lips persisted. But you see its not my point of view. Youre older than I-Jane smiled.Hoity toity, Miss!Im just twenty-eight and youre twenty-four.Age is not measured by calendars these days.I didnt mean that, the girl apologized.But youre an artist.Youre established and distinguished.You b
12、elong to a different world. Jane Anderson laid her hand softly on her friends.Thats just it, dear. I do belong to a different world-a big new world of whose existence you are not quite conscious. You are living in the old, old world in which women have groped for thousands of years. I dont mind conf
13、essing that I undertook this job of getting you to pose for Gordon for a double purpose. I wished to do something to repay the debt I owe him-but I wished far more to be of help to you. Youre living in the Dark Ages, and its a dangerous thing for a pretty girl to live in the Dark Ages and date her l
14、etters from New York to-day I dont understand you in the least. And Im afraid you never will.She paused suddenly and changed her tone. Tell me now, are you happy in your work?Im earning sixty dollars a month-my position is secureBut are you happy in it?I dont expect to teach school all my life, was
15、the vague answer. Exactly.You loathe the sight of a school-room.You do the taskthey set you because your fathers a clergyman and cant support his big family. Youre waiting and longing for the day of your deliverance- isnt it so?Perhaps.And that day of deliverance? Will come when I meet my Fate! Youll meet him, too!I willJane Anderson shook her fine head.And may the Lord have mercy on your poor little soul when you do! And why, pray?Because youre the most helpless and defense
