Across the street Gay came out upon her porch. She waved a hand, and Henrietta returned the salutation, but the next moment she guessed it had not been meant for her, for Freeman came around the house, waving to Gay as he came. Henrietta put her hand on Carter's arm.
“No, I can't tell you more,” she said breathlessly. “I'm sorry—only it is true he has a wife. It is true, Carter.”
Carter's eyes hardened. He walked down the steps of the porch and toward Freeman, until he faced him.
“You are a sneak and a cur and a cad,” he said, “and I am going to give you this every time I see you.”
He shot out his fist and it struck Freeman on his cheek, throwing him to the ground. An instant he lay there and then he was on his feet and, mad with rage, had leaped for Carter. Henrietta screamed. From across the street Gay came, her palms pressed to her cheeks. The fight was all over before she reached the two men. Bruce stood arranging his tie, but Freeman lay where the last blow had sent him, prone on the grass.
Carter laughed, pantingly.
“Every time I meet you, remember,” he said, and turned to Gay.
“I thrashed him,” he said, but Gay dropped to her knees beside the prostrate man.
“Freeman! Freeman!” she cried; and then to Carter, “You brute! You cruel brute!”
“Oh, just as you wish!” said Carter Bruce, and laughed again, and went across the yard to the steps and out of the gate.