``Whatisityouhavetotellme？’’Iasked。``TheSecretthatyourcruelhusbandisafraidof，’’sheanswered。``IoncethreatenedhimwiththeSecret，andfrightenedhim。YoushallthreatenhimwiththeSecret，andfrightenhimtoo。’’Herfacedarkened，andahard，angrystarefixeditselfinhereyes。Shebeganwavingherhandatmeinavacant，unmeaningmanner。
``MymotherknowstheSecret，’’shesaid。``MymotherhaswastedundertheSecrethalfherlifetime。Oneday，whenIwasgrownup，shesaidsomethingtome。Andthenextdayyourhusband——’’’
`Yes！yes！Goon。Whatdidshetellyouaboutyourhusband？’
`Shestoppedagain，Marian，atthatpoint——’
`Andsaidnomore？’