CHAPTER XV

yougotoRoaringAbel’stowaitonabadgirllikeSisGay.’Andshesaid,‘Idon’tbelieveCissywasabadgirl,butIdon’tcareifshewas.’Thosewereherverywords,‘Idon’tcareifshewas.’” “Shehaslostallsenseofdecency,”explodedUncleBenjamin. “‘CissyGayisdying,’shesaid,‘andit’sashameanddisgracethatsheisdyinginaChristiancommunitywithnoonetodoanythingforher.Whatevershe’sbeenordone,she’sahumanbeing.’” “Well,youknow,whenitcomestothat,Isupposesheis,”saidUncleJameswiththeairofonemakingasplendidconcession. “IaskedDossifshehadnoregardforappearances.Shesaid,‘I’vebeenkeepingupappearancesallmylife.NowI’mgoinginforrealities.Appearancescangohang!’Gohang!” “Anoutrageousthing!”saidUncleBenjaminviolently.“Anoutrageousthing!” Whichrelievedhisfeelings,butdidn’thelpanyoneelse. Mrs.Frederickwept.CousinSticklestookuptherefrainbetweenhermoansofdespair. “Itoldher—webothtoldher—thatRoaringAbelhadcertainlykilledhiswifeinoneofhisdrunkenragesandwouldkillher.Shelaughedandsaid,‘I’mnotafraidofRoaringAbel.Hewon’tkillme,andhe’stoooldformetobeafraidofhisgallantries.’Whatdidshemean?Whataregallantries?” Mrs.Fredericksawthatshemuststopcryingifshewantedtoregaincontroloftheconversation. “Isaidtoher,‘Valancy,ifyouhavenoregardforyourownreputationandyourfamily’sstanding,haveyounoneformyfeelings?’Shesaid,‘None.’Justlikethat,‘None!’” “Insanepeopleneverdohaveanyregardforotherpeople’sfeelings,”saidUncleBenjamin.“That’soneofthesymptoms.” “Ibrokeoutintotearsthen,andshesaid,‘Comenow,Mother,beagoodsport.I’