eek have I shrunk from my mother. Never
after this day shall I do it again. You say I have wronged you--hurt
you--inexpressibly, and you wish to tell me why. Go ahead!"

With that he pulled his hatbrim well down to his eyebrows, folded his
arms, crossed one spurred heel over the tan-booted mate and leaned
against a sturdy cottonwood. There was just a spice of the theatrical
about it all, but he was young, sore-hearted and hurt. It left no
support for her, unless she leaned on him, which nothing in his attitude
seemed to invite. Inez had no use for folded arms. To her they should be
either outstretched or enfolding.

"You are harsh and cold and bitter, Sandy. You make it so much harder
for me to begin," she whimpered, pathetically, prettily, like a spoiled
child sure of ultimate triumph. "Why did you never answer my letter from
San Francisco?"

"I never got it."

"Then even that early he had begun to doubt me and to fear--you," and
again the lovely eyes were making play. "And now he hates me, because he
himself was a brute to his boy. He upbraids me for that, and--and for
Mr. Foster."

"God! I should think he might!"

"Sandy, Sandy!" she cried, stepping impetuously a pace nearer. "Do you,
too--do you _dare_ think me so base--me, when at Naples I would not even
let you stay--you whom I longed to speak with? Ah, how unjust!--how
mean! how cruel! And now, when I am almost friendless, you who professed
so much--_you_ are the first to turn from me." Indeed, he was turning,
and his face was growing very white again--his eyes were gazing anywhere
but at her, and she saw it, and with both her firm little hands seized
his left arm as though to turn him back. "Sandy, you _shall_ hear me,
for I'm desperate, starving, and that man, he--he tells me I lied to
him; and I did, I did lie--_for you_! He talks to me of
a--settlement--of sending me home. Why, I _have_ no home! I have no
father. My own was buried years ago. I have no mother, for she has no
thought but for him--who has disgraced us all and robbed Major Dwight of
thousands and dared to threaten me--_me_, because the major would not
send more. Oh, you _shall_ listen! It's for the last time, Sandy, and
you _shall_ know the truth! Oh, how _can_ you so humiliate a woman
who--who----_Look_ at me, Sandy, look, oh, my soldier boy, and see for
yourself! They robbed me of you, my heart's darling! They stole every
letter. They never let me see you, and they----Oh, you think this