“I don’t hate you at all, child. Just the opposite. That’s why I’d never have a thing to do with you in that way.”

“I don’t hate you at all, child. Just the opposite. That’s why I’d never have a thing to do with you in that way.”

This made no sense to the girl, as sensual pleasure had been the only substitute, really, all her life, for love. She’d never even known a mother’s love. She cried harder and looked on at Francis who now worried a little over his snotty blanket.

“I don’t understand.” She coughed. “This don’t make no sense.”

He sat down beside her and smoked and thought on it. This was a difficult problem, and Francis was not really equipped to help confused little girls. It was not something he thought much about, as he had no sisters, only brothers, and he had little contact with the opposite sex.

“Janie.” He looked into her pretty brown eyes. “That carryin’ on. With men and such. That ain’t natural. What they do down there in the house, where you were, that ain’t right. That kinda carryin’ on, that’s for people who love each other, grown up people, between a husband and a wife. It ain’t the right thing, Janie.”

She finally stopped crying and he handed her one of his handkerchiefs. She blew her nose and finally began to calm down. She stood up, dropped the blanket and began dressing without giving it another thought. She was scandalous, to Francis’s mind, as the child had no sense of modesty and he wondered if she’d ever not be corrupt.

“They all, up there,” she pointed in the direction of the end of town, “say that the more men a gal gets, means the more she’s liked.”

“Well, liked and loved ain’t the same thing, girl. Hell, I like lots of folks, don’ mean I’m goin’ to do, you know, that with ‘em.”

She was exhausted now and he could see she needed sleep. They both needed sleep. He got her to lie down then pointed to his bed and called the dog over, who dutifully flopped down beside the child. Francis covered them both and kissed her on the forehead. He turned out the lamps.

“Go on and get some sleep, Miss Janie.” Allingham