Wren started at that. "It's not true!" he exclaimed, but his impulsive speech died in silence. Dorothy shrugged. "My dear Jimmy, just stop and think what was said. I don't believe any argument is necessary." Wren was in torment. He saw, clearly enough, the absolute finality of the whole thing. When "Mrs. Bird Fowler" gave vent to her recognition of Dorothy, she had been lost beyond any appeal of error. Now Dorothy continued coolly. "If you have any doubts in the matter, take a trip to Evansville and ask questions. You might as well get it all in one blunt and brutal shock, and have it over. I'm sorry for your sake, Jimmy, but I'd be much sorrier if--if I had just let things go on." Wren nodded miserably. "People always seem to make a fool out of me," he said boyishly. "There was a bank back in Ohio--I was the cashier. Another fellow pulled some dirty work, and I came mighty close to going over the road. Only plain fool luck saved me! And now--" "Reese doesn't think you're a fool, and neither do I," said Dorothy. "Forget all that silly talk, Jimmy! Don't blame yourself. You've made me terribly afraid, this morning--something you said--" Her words fell off. Wren stared at her, puzzled. "I've made you afraid? Of what?" Dorothy smiled, but with an effort. "I don't know; I can't say, Jimmy. Did you ever read _Othello_?" "Shakespeare? Oh, sure. What's that got to do with it?" "Nothing, perhaps. But there are some men like Iago, either in big or small ways. Do you believe that a man could have a corrosive touch--a touch that corrodes every one with whom he comes in contact, morally or in other ways? A man who makes use of everybody and twists them to his own desires, and leaves them all broken or rotted out behind him?" Jimmy Wren frowned over this. "Why, I suppose so," he answered vaguely. "I've read about women like that, in stories, but I never ran up against any men--" Dorothy rose, with a silvery laugh. "Oh, it was a passing fancy; never mind. Now look here, Jimmy Wren! You brace up and forget this. It's our secret, understand? If any more handsome widows from Kentucky show up on the horizon, let me know and I'll throw a party at a hotel up in the forties where there are loads of Kentucky people--and you'll see fireworks! Now, forget it." "All right, I promise." Jimmy Wren forced a rueful grin. "Now, about the Christmas present for Reese--" "Go get the wraps, please. I'll wait here." Dorothy smiled to herself after Wren's departing figure, and this time her smile was not forced.