"Going to put half a dollar on each row--sure to make a hit." The queen gave one of her peculiar shrugs.
"Going to break Sam McFaddon," continued Pinky, her spirits rising under the influence of Norah's treat.
"Soft heads don't often break hard rocks," returned the woman, with a covert sneer.
"That's an insult!" cried Pinky, on whom the liquor she had just taken was beginning to have a marked effect, "and I won't stand an insult from you or anybody else." "Well, I wouldn't if I was you," returned Norah, coolly.

A hard expression began settling about her mouth.
"And I don't mean to.

I'm as good as you are, any day!" "You may be a great deal better, for all I care," answered Norah.

"Only take my advice, and keep a civil tongue in your head." There was a threatening undertone in the woman's voice.

She drew her tall person more erect, and shook herself like a wild beast aroused from inaction.
Pinky was too blind to see the change that had come so suddenly.