"Well, you
wanted to walk with us: what for?" she asked sharply. She explained what
they had been doing. "We were walking and talking of women and what they
were to do with their lives," she explained. "We were expressing opinions,
you see. I don't say either of us had said anything that was very wise, but
we were having a good time and trying to learn something from each other.
Now what have you to say to us? You interrupted our talk and wanted to walk
with us: what for? You wanted to be in our company: now tell us what you've
got to contribute. You can't just come and walk with us like dumb things.
What have you got to offer that you think will make it worth while for us
to break up our conversation with each other and spend the time talking
with you?"
The older man, he of the mustache, turned to look at Kate, then got up from
the bench. He walked a little away and then turned and made a sign with his
hand to his companion. "Come on," he said, "let's get out of here. We're
wasting our time. It's a cold trail. They're a couple of highbrows. Come
on, let's be on our way."
The two women again walked along the street. Kate could not help feeling
somewhat proud of the way in which she had disposed of the men. She talked
of it until they got to the door of the Woodburn house, and, as she went
away along the street Clara thought she swaggered a little. She stood by
the door and watched her friend until she had disappeared around a corner.
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