It's because you've never given Alice any backing nor any background, and they all know they can do anything they like to her with perfect impunity.

If she had the hundredth part of what THEY have to fall back on she'd have made 'em sing a mighty different song long ago!" "How would she ?" "Oh, my heavens, but you're slow!" Mrs.Adams moaned.

"Look here! You remember how practically all the nicest boys in this town used to come here a few years ago.

Why, they were all crazy over her; and the girls HAD to be nice to her then.

Look at the difference now! There'll be a whole month go by and not a young man come to call on her, let alone send her candy or flowers, or ever think of TAKING her any place and yet she's prettier and brighter than she was when they used to come.