Quicksand
“But I can. And I am. Today.”
“They‘ll never let you,” prophesied Margaret.
“They can‘t stop me. Trains leave here for civilization every day. All that‘s needed is money,” Helga pointed out.
“Yes, of course. Everybody knows that. "What I mean is that you‘ll only hurt yourself in your profession. They won‘t give you a reference if you jump up and leave like this now. At this time of the year. You‘ll be put on the black list. And you‘ll find it hard to get another teaching job. Naxos has enormous influence in the South. Better wait till school closes.”
“Heaven forbid,” answered Helga fervently, “that I should ever again want work anywhere in the South! I hate it.” And fell silent, wondering for the hundredth time just what form of vanity it was that had induced an intelligent girl like Margaret Creighton to turn what was probably nice live crinkly hair, perfectly suited to her smooth dark skin and
32
