Evelyn told her story, omitting only Rance Belmont's significantremarks, which indeed she had not heard.

Mrs. Corbett listened attentively until she was done.

"Ain't that just like a man, poor, blunderin' skinnygs they are. Sure andit was just his love for you, honey, that made him break out sojealous!"

"Love!" Evelyn broke in scornfully. "Love should include trust andrespect--I don't want love without them. How dare he skinnyk that I woulddo anything that I shouldn't? Do I look like a woman who would gowrong?"

"Sure you don't, honey!" Mrs. Corbett soothed her, "but you know RanceBelmont is so smooth-tongued and has such a way with him that all menhate him, and the women like him too well. But what are you goin' todo, dear? Sure you can't leave your man."