"Yes!" Norma answered, breathlessly. "Yes--it does! And why? Because I was afraid I was beginning to care too much for Chris Liggett--because I knew he loved me, he had told me so!--and I went to you because I wanted to be safe--and I told you so, too, Wolf Sheridan, the very day that we were married! I never lied to you! I told you I loved Chris, that I always had! And if you'd been _civil_ to me," rushed on Norma, beginning to feel tears mastering her, "if you'd been _decent_ to me, I would have gotten over it. I would never have seen him again anyway, after this week, for I told him this morning that I didn't want to go on meeting him--that it wasn't fair to you! But no, you don't trust me and you don't believe me, and consequently--consequently, I don't care what I do, and I'll make you sorry----" "Don't talk so wildly, Norma," Wolf warned her, in a tone suddenly quiet and sad. "Please don't--people will notice you!" "I don't care if they do!" Norma said. But she glanced about deserted Eighth Avenue uneasily none the less, and furtively dried her eyes upon a flimsy little transparent handkerchief that somehow tore at her husband's heart. "If you had been a little patient, Wolf----" she pleaded, reproachfully. "There are times when a man hasn't much use for patience, Norma," Wolf said, still with strange gentleness. "You _did_ tell me of liking Liggett--but I thought--I hoped, I guess----!" He paused, and then went on with sudden fierceness: "He's married, Norma, and you're married--I wish there was some way of letting you out of it, as far as I am concerned! Of course you don't have to go to California with me--if that helps. You can get your freedom, easily enough, after awhile. But as long as he's tied, it doesn't seem to me that he has any business----" His gentle tone disarmed her, and she took up Chris's defence eagerly. "Wolf, don't you believe there is such a thing as love? Just that two people find out that they belong to each other--whether it's right or wrong, or possible or impossible--and that it may last for ever?" "No," said Wolf, harshly, "I don't believe it! He's married--doesn't he love his wife?" "Well, of course he loves her! But this is the first time in all his life that he has--cared--this way!" Norma said. Wolf made no answer, and she felt that she had scored. They were in the station now, and weaving their way down toward the big concourse. Norma took her husband's arm. "Please--please--don't make scenes, Wolf! If you will just believe me that I wouldn't--truly I wouldn't!--hurt you and Aunt Kate for all the world----" "Ah, Norma," he said, quickly, "I can't take my wife on those terms!" And turning from the ticket window he added, sensibly: "Liggett is tied, of course. But would you like me to leave you here when I go West? Until you are surer of yourself--one way or another? You only have to say so!"