You can't trust a kid like that, Christie.
A couple of drinks will loosen his tongue, and put you in wrong.

Come, now, I know it all; be reasonable." Apparently the girl had lost her power of speech, staring blindly at the face of the man before her, as a bird meets the slow approach of a snake.

Keith could see her lips move, but making no sound.

Hawley evidently interpreted her silence as hesitation, doubt as to his real meaning.
"You see where you are at now, Christie," he went on swiftly.

"But you don't need to be afraid.