The Charm School
and at once the sound of an erasure was heard from the desk. It seemed to Austin that the young man was peculiarly lacking in concentration.
"Would you prefer to work in another room?" he said.
"No," replied the other, in a strangled tone. "I would much rather be here—where I can consult you if necessary."
"All right," said Austin, "only we are very apt to be interrupted."
They were interrupted within a few minutes; this time by Miss Hayes. A definite situation had developed between Austin and Miss Hayes even in these few days. It was perfectly recognized between them that they were opponents. They wanted different things for women, for the school, and for Elise Benedotti. Yet he and she could co-operate in minor matters in a way that he and Miss Curtis, who admired him so much as to be absolutely inhibited from understanding what he meant, couldn't manage at all.
Miss Hayes, like many mathematicians, was a great believer in the power of the spoken word. She always felt that if she could state her case she could convince. She had been looking for her moment.
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