"She only looked at me when I whipped her. My heart turned in me. She
didn't cry; she wasn't even angry. She just stood there--my baby!--and
looked at me!"
She threw herself back in the chair with her eyes closed, and he saw where
the trouble had marked her face. He wanted to lean over and take her in his
arms.
"I'm going mad, Buck. I can't stand it. How could he have changed her to
this?"
"Listen to me, Kate. Joan ain't been changed. She's only showin' what she
is."
The mother stared wildly at him.
"Don't look like I was a murderer. God knows I'm sorry, Kate, but if they's
Dan's blood in your little girl it ain't my fault. It ain't anything he's
taught her. It's just that bein' alone with him has brought out what she
really is."
"I won't believe you, Buck. I don't dare listen to you!"
"You got to listen, Kate, because you know I'm right. D'you think that any
kind of teachin' could make her learn how to stand and keep from cryin'
when she was whipped?"
"I know."
She spoke softly, as if some terrible power might overhear them talk, and
Buck lowered his voice in turn.
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