But I've love for you, child, an' respect, jest the same as if you was my own....

An' I KNOW you're good....

Forgive me....
I meant only hevn't you been, say, sort of--careless ?" "Care-less ?" queried Ellen, bitterly and low.
"An' powerful thoughtless an'-- an' blind--lettin' men kiss you an' fondle you--when you're really a growed-up woman now ?" "Yes--I have," whispered Ellen.
"Wal, then, why did you let them?
"I--I don't know....

I didn't think.

The men never let me alone--never--never! I got tired everlastingly pushin' them away.