hewouldhavemadeprovisionforus.Dontspeakagainsthim,myson.Hewasyourfather,aleman.Indeed,hewashighlyected."

    Anoathbrokefromhislips."Idontcareformyself,"heexclaimed,"butdoSibyl....Itisagentleman,isntit,whoisihher,orsaysheis?Highlyected,too,Isuppose."

    Foramomentahideoussenseofhumiliationcameoverthewoman.Herheaddrooped.Shewipedhereyeswithshakinghands."Sibylhasamother,"shemurmured;"Ihadnone."

    Theladwastouched.Hewenttowardsher,andstoopingdown,hekissedher."IamsorryifIhavepainedyoubyaskingaboutmyfather,"hesaid,"butIcould.Imustgonow.Good-bye.Dontfetthatyouwillhaveonlyonechildnowtolookafter,andbelievemethatifthismanwrongsmysister,Iwillfindoutwhoheis,trackhimdown,andkillhimlikeadog.Iswearit."

    Theexaggeratedfollyofthethreat,thepassiourethatapa,themadmelodramaticwords,madelifeseemmorevividtoher.Shewasfamiliarwiththeatmosphere.Shebreathedmorefreely,andforthefirsttimeformanymonthsshereallyadmiredherson.Shewouldhavelikedtohavetiheseonthesameemotionalscale,buthecuthershort.Trunkshadtobecarrieddownandmufflerslookedfor.Thelodging-housedrudgebustledinandout.Therewasthebargainingwiththecabman.Themomentwaslostinvulgardetails.Itwaswitharenewedfeelingofdisappoihatshewavedthetatteredladkerchieffromthewindow,ashersondroveaway.Shewassciousthatagreatopportunityhadbeenwasted.ShesoledherselfbytellingSibylhowdesolateshefeltherlifewouldbe,nowthatshehadonlyonechildtolookafter.Sherememberedthephrase.Ithadpleasedher.Ofth