Her eyes grew wide with the misery of doubt and horror, her lips moved as if forming the words which would not come.

Before she could bring a sound from the contracted throat the raucous voice of old Maude broke in: "What are you tellin' her, Sam Welch?
Can't you keep your face closed ?" she called, advancing upon him with a menacing look.
"Aw, it's nothin' to you," he retorted, but an uncomfortable expression suddenly crept into his face.

A loud, angry discussion ensued, the whole gang engaging.

Three to one was the way it stood against the leader, who was forced to admit, secretly if not publicly, that he had no right to talk freely of the matter to the girl.

In vain she pleaded and promised.
Her tears were of no avail, once Sam had concluded to hold his tongue.
Angry with himself for having to submit to the demands of the others, furious because she saw his surrender, Sam, without a word of warning, suddenly struck her on the side of the head with the flat of his broad hand, sending her reeling into the corner.