Matilde

The girl was a close cropped child of about eighteen. Luscious chestnut hair, a stooped and pinkish face, tiny feet. She would be a woman of fortune, if only her father would die. There was also the question of cousins, uncles and brothers to stop her, but she never wanted for much anyway. What did it matter? What men did? The world was the world; it would turn her anyway.

She left for college and enjoyed opportunity. The boy in the fit about the state of the nation, oh, he was adorable. The man with no friends - how strong! Then there was Harry, very mysterious…and on and on and on and on.

Forward did Nathan come. Nathan was solid, and unable to buy into frivolity and fancies. Unable to appreciate a good swindle when he saw one. He was never on the fence; never below or on top. Nathan had no use for fences. He purchased a large electric border. Very pretty, as one could not see it.

Nathan liked to invest in many a thing of which most of us would not value, and I could tell you about it here. But what I shall get to, is his want of a wife.

So he took the girl, and she was most excited about her prospects for riches. At first they were abundant, but bland. Ribbons perhaps, lot and lots of ribbons. Shoes and taffeta. But who visited the Riviera at this time of year? Who asks for things that ease the burdens that make your station? These are embarrassing wants Matilde, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

"Everyday feels like a Wednesday in this house!"

"What a silly thing to say. Why, it's Sunday today."

"You work all day, all night sometimes! What have you to show for it? A large dog, a large house; an unhappy wife."

"Well, what did you expect?"

"The grandeur that comes with the package!"

"And I suppose you wanted a picture of the postage too?"