Ailene asked Frang to help her with something at the sideboard and when she had him alone, she whispered, "Be careful, Frang. Remember what you told me about the local ladies just this afternoon. She's married and she's been brutalized. She doesn't need another disappointment."

"I've never been a disappointment to a lady," Frang whispered back. "I'm sure you'll back me on that."

"Not a disappointment in bed, you dolt. A disappointment in life. She's fragile and could easily be broken."

"I'll be gentle, I assure you."

"You insist upon being dense. Not physically fragile, emotionally fragile. Don't play with her emotions."

"You're just afraid that it will take time...