“That’s what I’m trying to find out.”
“I think they go there to watch each other—to find out something bad about each other.”
“Bonnie May!”
“I do! And I’ve had pretty near enough, too. You asked me and I told you. You’re all asking me to do things, and asking me questions; and then if I don’t agree with you in every way I’m wrong. That may look all right to you, but it doesn’t to me. If I’ve got to take everything, I mean to be on my way.”
Baron remained silent a full minute. When he spoke again his voice was persuasive, gentle. “I’m anxious to understand your difficulties,” he said. “I’m anxious to have you understand ours. I’m sorry I criticised you. I’m sure you mean to be fair.”
She looked at him with a light of gratitude in her eyes, a quiver of emotion passing over her face. She had an intense desire to justify herself—at least to him.
“Do you know what was the first thing they asked me?”
“Your name, probably.”
“No, Mrs. Shepard told them that. They asked me if I was a good little girl!”
“But I don’t see any harm in that. Why shouldn’t they have asked you?”