“I don’t care a damn,” he said, “about her wickedness.”

Had I been stronger, I should have leapt to my feet.

“You don’t care a what?” I asked.

“A damn,” he said.

“A damn?” I cried.

“Yes, a damn,” he repeated.

I leaned back, closing my eyes.

“Yes, and I’ve said worse things.”

I opened them again.

“I’ve said bally and hell and blow.”