Evidently ours is
different. But there must have been other elements in the metamorphosis
of Rhodora."
"Miss Eleanor Lockwood's school," suggested Hepatica.
"You mention that with bated breath," said the Skeptic, "precisely as
every one, including its graduates, mentions it. I admit that Miss
Lockwood's school is a place where rich young savages are turned out
polished members of society. But there's been more than that."
"The Preacher himself?" I suggested.
The Skeptic looked at me. "Do you mean to imply," said he, with raised
eyebrows, "that any woman would admit the possibility of
acquaintanceship with any particular man's having had a formative
influence on her character? After school-days, I mean of course."
"Why not?" I inquired. "What influence could be greater?"
The Skeptic looked at the Philosopher, who returned his gaze calmly.
"Did you ever expect to hear that?" asked the Skeptic.
"I should not think of denying the influence of woman upon man," replied
the Philosopher. "Why should not the rule work both ways?"
"I never heard it thus flatly formulated before," declared the Skeptic.
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