And she is so pretty, and--" Lucy sobbed wildly.
"Mother has been watching every minute," said Mrs.Ayres.
"Mother, I haven't killed him ?" "No, dear.

Mother made the candy." Lucy sobbed and trembled convulsively.

Mrs.Ayres stroked her hair until she was a little quieter, then she spoke.

"Lucy," she said, "the time has come for you to listen to mother, and you must listen." Lucy looked up at her with her soft, terrible eyes.
"You are not in love with this last man," said Mrs.Ayres, quietly.
"You were not in love with any of the others.

It is all because you are a woman, and the natural longings of a woman are upon you.