Bertha has been behaving more than ever like a madwoman, and George's powers of credulity are very nearly exhausted.

They're at their place here, you know, and I spent last Sunday with them.

It was a ghastly party--no one else but poor Neddy Silverton, who looks like a galley-slave (they used to talk of my making that poor boy unhappy!)--and after luncheon George carried me off on a long walk, and told me the end would have to come soon." Miss Bart made an incredulous gesture.

"As far as that goes, the end will never come--Bertha will always know how to get him back when she wants him." Mrs.Fisher continued to observe her tentatively.

"Not if he has any one else to turn to! Yes--that's just what it comes to: the poor creature can't stand alone.