Farnham understood she was locked in; knew she might hope to escape only through that scene of pollution; beyond doubt, he waited in its midst to gloat over her degradation, possibly even to accost her.

She shrank from such an ordeal as though she fronted pestilence.
"Oh, not that way; not through the dance hall!" she exclaimed.
Mercedes clapped her hands with delight.

To her it appeared amusing.
"Holy Mother! Vy not?
Eet make me laugh to see you so ver' nice.

Vat you 'fraid 'bout?
Vas eet de men?
Pah! I snap my fingers at all of dem dis vay.

Dey not say boo! But come, now, Mercedes show you vay out vere you no meet vis de men, no meet vis anybody.