“No, dear. But don’t you see, John, what staying under the circumstances would mean? It puts me in a position--Lucy will stop at nothing, John. I think she’s capable of making us trouble with other people. I’ve--I’ve----” Here Nannie looked at the floor, embarrassed. “I’ve heard her go so far as to hint that she’d write to Cousin Minnie and Professor Walsh and--and old friends of the family like Judge Dodd and other people!” “Professor Walsh!” John almost roared. “Let her write to Professor Walsh! I’ll go to Russellville and break his neck if necessary!” “I know, John,” Nannie was fearful now, “but that wouldn’t save me, if slurs were cast on my--my reputation. I’m a misjudged woman, John, and after Arthur’s heartlessness has placed me in such a false position I can’t afford to risk such a thing.” John regarded her undecidedly. “Don’t you think I’m able to take care of you, Nannie?” he asked in a trembling voice. “You would do all you could, John,” Nannie’s voice broke too, “but some things are beyond your power.” “And do you mean to say that we have to submit to this because Lucy has the drop on us--that we can’t stop her from stooping to a lot of underhand lying?” he demanded, defiance in his tone. “Remember she’s done none of this,” Nannie continued hastily. “It’s only,” again she looked away from him, “that certain things she’s said have made me afraid she might. Anyway--now it’s all arranged----” Katy came in to clear the table and Nannie led the way into the living room. “Don’t turn on the light,” John objected peevishly as she moved toward the electric switch. They seated themselves in the dim radiance that filtered in from the hall. “Nannie, you’ve got to give it up,” he repeated suddenly. “Put it off for a month or two anyway,” he begged unsteadily. “If Lucy were different! Oh, John, if Lucy only would----” She took one of his hands in both of hers. John’s fist clenched. “I won’t forget what she’s done to us in a hurry!” he cried, glancing away from Nannie as he spoke. There was a cruel edge to his tone. “It’s her abnormal state. Oh, you poor, dear boy! And to think you must bear all this and that I can’t do anything to ease your burden! I saw this coming, John, and I didn’t dare to tell you what she was forcing me to.” Nannie talked hurriedly. Half sobs broke in on her words. John bent forward and leaned his brow against the hands that held his own. There was a long pause. “How long ago did you decide this?” he demanded, looking up suddenly and pressing her fingers so that she winced. “I’ve been trying to decide a long time, John. You don’t know all Lucy says to me when you’re away. I made up my mind definitely a--a few days ago. The telegram really has nothing to do with it, though I half expected from what Professor Walsh had written that he would send one.” “When are you going?” John went on with painful intensity. “It’s better for me to go right away, dear. I think I’ll leave day after tomorrow.”