“Well, it just isn’t your own affair. I’m not going to stand this kind of thing any longer.” “Neither am I.” “You won’t have to,” snarled John. “Exactly. I have decided just that.” He stared at her in astonishment. “What do you mean, Lucy?” He lowered his voice. “I mean that I am going to leave.” “With Jim Sprague?” John almost shouted, springing to his feet and walking back and forth. “Katy will hear you, John.” “Damn Katy! I don’t care who hears!” he snapped. “Very well then. Neither do I,” returned Lucy calmly. “I’ll just tell you one thing right here,” John continued, “and that is that you and Jim Sprague are not going to take my child away from me.” He was breathing heavily and his eyes were suffused. “We will settle about the child legally,” replied Lucy, in the same manner, “but you are mistaken about Jim. I am not going away with him. I am going alone.” “How will you support yourself? I suppose your father’s wife will do that.” John almost ground his teeth. “She knows nothing about my plans. I shall do anything I can to earn a living for myself and Dimmie. Miss Storms will take me in till I can get started. I can do book binding. I don’t intend ever to be dependent on anybody again.” A frightened expression came into John’s eyes. “Lucy, you are crazy! You’re trying to scare me. What reason have you got for leaving your home--your husband and child?” “I don’t intend to leave my child!” she retorted. John gazed at her in silence, his face paling. When he spoke again his manner was conciliatory. “Lucy! Lucy, you don’t know what you are saying.” “Yes, I do. I know precisely what I am saying.” “Lucy,” John was on the defensive now. “I can’t understand what has changed you so. I’m not accusing you of anything in regard to Jim Sprague, but it’s natural that I shouldn’t want you to get yourself talked about. You used to think I was always right, but now you seem almost to despise me.” His voice quivered a little. “Let’s talk things over, Lucy, and not go on like this.” The last words were almost beseeching. “Very well, John, if you really want to talk over matters and are ready to see things squarely, I am ready, too, but if not, I have made up my mind and know exactly what I shall do.” John sat down again and tried to light a cigarette, but his hand shook so that he desisted and put the cigarette in his pocket. “What is it, Lucy?” he asked at length. “Well, in the first place, my mother must leave here.” “Now, Lucy,” he began querulously, “I knew you were going to say that. Why you should be so prejudiced and so vindictive against Nannie is beyond me. What earthly reason is there for putting _her_ in the street--for she’s got no place to go if she leaves here!” “If you hadn’t flattered her and influenced her she would probably have been married by now.” “Lucy!” John was horror stricken. “Married to that----!” He could not find a word to express his feelings. “You are absolutely without heart, Lucy,” he protested.