Adams, as was her way, having won her victory, passed on to win another.


IV

Mary began, now, to find Barbara rather tiresome. Having forced her to
renounce her gods, she now despised her for so easy a renunciation.
Every day did she force Barbara through her act of denial, and the
Inquisition of Spain held, in all its records, nothing more cruel.

"Did he come last night?"

"No."

"He'll never come again, will he?"

"No."

"Wasn't it silly of you to make up stories like that?"

"Oh, Mary--yes."

"There aren't ghosts, nor fairies, nor giants, nor wizards, nor Santa
Claus?"

"No; but, Mary, p'r'aps----"

"No; there aren't. Say there aren't."

"There isn't."