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 "No," said Dot. "I haven't forgotten it." She touched her cheek gently, reminiscently.

"Yeh, I know I hit you," said Jim. "For your own good."

"Thanks," said Dot.

"I've supported this house, and I've been father and mother to you because Ma is dead and the old man ain't well. You got a hell of a nerve to tell me I've been a good brother in some ways and to calmly say you're going to be married."

"Why do you object?" asked Dot. "You don't even know the fellow.

"That's just why. He's some mug that you've picked up on a street corner, I suppose."

Dot flushed. Her eyes wandered to Edna for help, but Edna had strangely become the audience. For once she seemed no part of the Haley scene.

"I'll tell you what," said Jim. "Bring your boy friend up here. Let him meet your family like a decent fellow would want to do. After six months or so, when I've gotten to know him, if I think he's all right you can marry him."

"After six months!" gasped Dot.

"Yeh, after six months. What's your hurry?" Jim bent suspicious eyes upon her. "In a rush, eh? I thought so."

"What do you mean?" Dot's eyes were brighter now, and her cheeks red and hot.

"You know what I mean. I bet you gotta marry this guy. You probably should have been married to him months ago, you little bum."

"Jim, please." Dot studied the carpet, and in the silence that followed she added, "You don't know that I've done anything wrong."

"Don't I? Say, I wasn't born yesterday. You ain't the