not? He was entitled to it. Besides, since he had
eyes and a brain with which to reason he was not ignorant of the
girls' waning friendship. Pretense was foolish. Imogene leaned forward
in her seat and rested her crossed arms upon her knees, directing her
look at the floor. Her fluffy golden hair had been slightly
disarranged when she removed her hat and so remained. Her face was
thinner than in the summer, with a pinched aspect about her lips.

"The situation is this," she began, slowly. "Ruth and I are not really
on good terms and we've been perilously near a break several times.
But I've restrained my temper and my tongue to avoid one, because I
feel I must remain as long as she does. No, I can't leave her here
alone--that would be brutal. And ruinous for her, too. I've thought it
all out pretty carefully. You see, we both agreed to stay when we
came, until we agreed to go or had proved up on our claims. Probably I
don't make myself very clear to you. I think now that I made a mistake
and that neither of us ought ever to have attempted homesteading. So
much has happened that is different from what I anticipated. Not the
existence itself; I don't mean that. Other things. Ruth's change,
chiefly. See, Lee, I speak frankly, for we've usually been frank
toward each other. You two are engaged, but"--she straightened up in
order to meet his eyes--"she's treating you abominably and
shamelessly. Ordinarily, I would hold my peace, I've held it hitherto,
but I can no longer. Why, I choke sometimes! Going constantly with
Gretzinger, who's so despicable that he tries to use her as a tool to
reach and corrupt you, or Charlie Menocal, who's your out-and-out
enemy, it's too much for me, Lee. And uncle and aunt are furious with
me for staying. She listen to me? Ruth listens neither to me nor any
one." She rose and came close to Bryant. "You're right to marry her
immediately. If you two love each other, that is." Her look was
penetrating, questioning. "For she needs a restraining influence.
People in Kennard are talking----"

"My God!" Bryant cried, hoarsely. "No, no; not Ruth! She couldn't do
anything wrong!"

"No, there's nothing bad. But she has given grounds for gossip, she
and some other girls. She sees too much of this Gretzinger and Charlie
Menocal and men like them; and the time may come when I'll tremble.
I've begged her to be discreet and considerate of your good opinion
and love, but she always declares that she's acting