Whatever gulf there might exist, she recognized
it not. No bridging, no descending; her attitude was that of perfect
equality. She stood tranquilly on the ground of their common womanhood.
And this maddened Freda. Not so, had she been of lesser breed; but her
soul's plummet knew not the bottomless, and she could follow the other
into the deeps of her deepest depths and read her aright. "Why do you
not draw back your garment's hem?" she was fain to cry out, all in that
flashing, dazzling second. "Spit upon me, revile me, and it were greater
mercy than this!" She trembled. Her nostrils distended and quivered.
But she drew herself in check, returned the inclination of head, and
turned to the man.
"Come with me, Floyd," she said simply. "I want you now."
"What the--" he began explosively, and quit as suddenly, discreet enough
to not round it off. Where the deuce had his wits gone, anyway? Was
ever a man more foolishly placed? He gurgled deep down in his throat and
high up in the roof of his mouth, heaved as one his big shoulders and his
indecision, and glared appealingly at the two women.
"I beg pardon, just a moment, but may I speak first with Mr.
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