understand when I took this action," she added and
shook her head as if she had just slipped out from
under some terribly heavy load.
"Well I don't understand," I snapped. "I'll never
understand. Never." I hoped that my words fell like
daggers. She pulled her shoulders back and her eyes
widened with fire.
"Exactly what did your father tell you?" "That you left us to think things over and he
received a telegram from you that you had flown to
Mexico to get a divorce."
"And did he tell you why?"
"He said you were very disappointed in him
and you were still young and wanted a chance to be
happy. But why can't you be happy with Daddy?" I
moaned.
"Now Leigh, you've got to try to understand my
point of view. It should be easier for you to
understand now that you are becoming a woman
yourself.
"You don't know, you can't imagine what it's
been like for me these last few years. Whenever your
father takes me on one of his cruises it's been because
he wanted to make an impression . . to use me for his
own advantage. I've felt like a caged bird, encased in a
gilded cage, yes, but nevertheless, imprisoned." Imprisoned? What did she mean? She could
come and go as she wanted, buy whatever she wanted,
do whatever she wanted. We had such a beautiful
home, I couldn't imagine anyone thinking of it as a
prison.
"The other passengers pity me, Leigh. I see it in