 could not command his voice,
and it sounded rough, hostile.
    »I think so,« Amy answered, seating herself gracefully. She would have
spoken with less dignity but for that accent of his.
    »The Carters have told you?«
    »Yes; I have heard about it.«
    There was no promise in her manner. She kept her face turned away, and
Reardon saw its beautiful profile, hard and cold as though in marble.
    »It doesn't interest you at all?«
    »I am glad to hear that a better prospect offers for you.«
    He did not sit down, and was holding his rusty hat behind his back.
    »You speak as if it in no way concerned yourself. Is that what you wish me
to understand?«
    »Won't it be better if you tell me why you have come here? As you are
resolved to find offence in whatever I say, I prefer to keep silence. Please to
let me know why you have asked to see me.«
    Reardon turned abruptly as if to leave her, but checked himself at a little
distance.
    Both had come to this meeting prepared for a renewal of amity, but in these
first few moments each was so disagreeably impressed by the look and language of
the other that a revulsion of feeling undid all the more hopeful effects of
their long severance. On entering, Amy had meant to offer her hand, but the
unexpected meanness of Reardon's aspect shocked and restrained her. All but
every woman would have experienced that shrinking from the livery of poverty.
Amy had but to reflect, and she understood that her husband could in no wise
help this shabbiness; when he parted from her his wardrobe was already in a
long-suffering condition, and how was he to have purchased new garments since
then? None the less such attire degraded him in her eyes; it symbolized the
melancholy decline which he had suffered intellectually. On Reardon his wife's
elegance had the same repellent effect, though this would not have been the case
but for the expression of her countenance. Had it been possible for them to
remain together during the first five minutes without exchange of words,
sympathies might have prevailed on both sides; the first speech uttered would
most likely have harmonized with their gentler thoughts. But the mischief was
done so speedily.
    A man must indeed be graciously endowed if his personal appearance can defy
the disadvantage of cheap modern clothing worn into shapelessness. Reardon had
no such remarkable physique, and it was not wonderful that his wife felt ashamed
of him. Strictly ashamed;
