CHAPTER XV

andnurseCissy.Hewillpaymethirtydollarsamonth.’IwonderIdidn’tdropdeadonthespot.” “Youshouldn’thavelethergo—youshouldn’thaveletheroutofthehouse,”saidUncleJames.“Youshouldhavelockedthedoor—anything——” “Shewasbetweenmeandthefrontdoor.Andyoucan’trealisehowdeterminedshewas.Shewaslikearock.That’sthestrangestthingofallabouther.Sheusedtobesogoodandobedient,andnowshe’sneithertoholdnorbind.ButIsaideverythingIcouldthinkoftobringhertohersenses.Iaskedherifshehadnoregardforherreputation.Isaidtohersolemnly,‘Doss,whenawoman’sreputationisoncesmirchednothingcanevermakeitspotlessagain.YourcharacterwillbegoneforeverifyougotoRoaringAbel’stowaitonabadgirllikeSisGay.’Andshesaid,‘Idon’tbelieveCissywasabadgirl,butIdon’tcareifshewas.’Thosewereherverywords,‘Idon’tcareifshewas.’” “Shehaslostallsenseofdecency,”explodedUncleBenjamin. “‘CissyGayisdying,’shesaid,‘andit’sashameanddisgracethatsheisdyinginaChristiancommunitywith