"Nettie, don't you mind what they say. Women are terribly cruel to each other. I don't know why they should be, I'm sure, for I believe that we all have in us the same capacities for sinning, only most of us escape temptation. It's almost a gamble, isn't it, Nettie; and I'm so sorry, poor child, that you should have been the one to lose." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I'll confess something to you now, Nettie. I—yes, I—almost——"
"If you're goin' to say something against yourself," said Nettie hoarsely, "I don't want to hear it. You ain't capable ever of doing anything wrong."
On the road, the carriages were grouped together. Their occupants leaned out and called back and forth to each other.
"What do you know of that?"
"I'm certainly surprised at Mrs. Langdon. I didn't think she'd hold to anything like that."
"I did, and I'm not a bit surprised. I could've told you a thing or two. Birds of a feather flock together, and she——"
Voices were lowered, as another woman's reputation was pulled to shreds.
"Well, Mrs. Munson, you don't say so."
"I certainly do."
"I remember when the Bull first married her. Sa-ay, there was all kinds of talk. Ask anyone who was here in them times."