But Ford wasn't altogether to blame.

They got him to drinking and," she went on with her voice lowered to the pitch at which women are wont to relate horrid, immoral things, "-- I wouldn't be surprised if they put something in it! Such things are done; I've heard of men being drugged and robbed and all sorts of things.

And I'm just as much of an advocate for temperance as you are, Phenie--and I think Ford was just right to fight those men.

There are," she declared wisely, "circumstances where it's perfectly just and right for a man to fight.

I can imagine circumstances under which Chester would be justified in fighting--" "In case sixteen men should hold his nose and pour drugged whisky down his throat ?" Phenie inquired mildly, curling the end of her braid over a slim forefinger.
Mrs.Kate made an inarticulate sound which might almost be termed a snort, and walked from the room with her head well up and a manner which silently made plain to the onlooker that she might say many things which would effectually crush her opponent, but was magnanimously refraining from doing so.
Josephine did not even pay her the tribute of looking at her; she had at that moment heard a step upon the porch, and she was leaning to one side so that she might see who was coming into the dining-room.