be a good man; but you broke yours. You didn’t repent, and you went on drinking, and — then you tried to kill an innocent man when he was alone and unarmed; like a coward you shot him. I called back my words from God; I gave them to the man I loved — promise for promise, Frale.”

“Yas, and curse for curse. You cursed me, Cass.” He made one more step forward, but she stood her ground and lifted one hand above her head, the gesture he so well remembered.

“Keep back, Frale. I did not curse you. I let you go free, and no one followed you. Go back — farther — farther — or I will do it now — Oh, God — ” He cowered, his arm before his eyes, and moved backward.

“Don’t, Cass,”