To marry Sam would be to step at once into grandeur; to marry Arthur would mean years of struggle.
Besides, Arthur was heavy, at least seemed heavy to light Ruth, while Sam was her ideal of gay elegance.

"I _detest_ Arthur Sinclair," she now announced.
"You can get Sam if you want him," said her mother confidently.

"One evening with a mere child like Susie isn't going to amount to much." Ruth winced.

"Do you suppose I don't know that ?" cried she.
"What makes me so mad is his impudence--coming here to see her when he wouldn't marry her or take her any place.

It's insulting to us all." "Oh, I don't think it's as bad as all that, Ruthie," soothed her mother, too simple-minded to accept immediately this clever subtlety of self-deception.
"You know this town--how people talk.