Sometimes Hilda tormented Ruth with set purpose.
"Bonbright looks mighty thin," she said. "I think he's working too hard. If he keeps it up he'll make himself sick."
"Oh…" said Ruth—nothing more, but for the rest of that Sunday she was quiet—very quiet.
Once Hilda found Ruth in a passion of tears, and when she sought the reason she learned that Ruth had met Dulac on the street, face to face, and that he had spoken to her. He had told Ruth that he was staying in the city because of her; that he would not go without her. … He had been careless of listening ears, not concealing his emotions.
"Well, he didn't hurt you, did he?"
"No," said Ruth.
"You weren't afraid of him?"
"No."
"You—didn't want to go away with him?"
"No…. No…."