I have still--I blush to own it--a lingering respect for women, though they have taken pains to show me, time after time, what a fool I am for such a weakness." Charles looked intently at Ruth.

Women are so terribly apt in handling any subject to make it personal.

Would she fire up, or would she, like so many women, join in abuse of her own sex?
She did neither.

She was looking straight in front of her, absently watching the figures of Dare and Molly in the next field.

Then she turned her grave, thoughtful glance towards him.
"I think respect is never weakness," she said.