“It wasn’t a yarn.”
“You’ll tell me next your mother bought the pearls, too.”
“No—I did.”
The volcano roared a warning. “God!” A pause while his breath caught.
“It’s true, I tell you! I bought them myself—they’re imitation.”
He flung back his head. His laugh frightened her.
“Oh—won’t you believe me?”
“No!”
“Won’t you—please?”
“And I put you above them—way on top.” The volcano erupted with thunderous crash. “But you’re like the rest of them! Price—a string of pearls—a diamond! Rotten—that’s what—! Sit down! Sit down, I say!! I’ll get you home quick enough!”