The Painted Veil

IV

KITTY, coming to Tching-Yen on her marriage, had found it hard to reconcile herselfto the fact that her social position was determined by her husband's occupation. Ofcourse every one had been very kind and for two or three months they had gone outto parties almost every night; when they dined at Government House the Governortook her in as a bride; but she had understood quickly that as the wife of theGovernment bacteriologist she was of no particular consequence. It made her angry."It's too absurd," she told her husband. "Why, there's hardly any one here thatone would bother about for five minutes at home. Mother wouldn't dream of askingany of them to dine at our house.""You mustn't let it worry you," he answered. "It doesn't really matter, youknow.""Of course it doesn't matter, it only shows how stupid they are, but it is ratherfunny when you think of all the people who used to come to our house at home thathere we should be treated like dirt.""From a socialstandpoint the man ofscience does not exist," he smiled.She knew that now, but she had not known it when she married him."I don't know that it exactly amuses me to be taken in to dinner by the agent ofthe P. and O.," she said, laughing in order that what she said might not seemsnobbish.Perhaps he saw the reproach behind her lightness of manner, for he took herhand and shyly pressed it."I'm awfully sorry, Kitty dear, but don't let it vex you.""Oh, I'm not going to let it do that."