der.

I turned my head suddenly and sank my teeth into his wrist.

He gave a yowl of pain, then he said, "You wild cat bitch! I'll tame you one of these days. I mean I'll cower you."

I managed to get to my feet. He struck out and walloped me in the pit of my stomach, and all the breath swooshed out of me, like air leaving a pin-pricked balloon. I don't even remember falling.

Later, when I opened my eyes to yellow sunlight, and heard the familiar swish and roar of the ocean, fear froze me. Had Bob raped me again? While I was unconscious, lying there in the dirt beside the road, had he dared to implant the seed of a new life within me? I had no way of knowing unless I consulted a doctor immediately. If I asked Bob, he'd never tell me the truth. He'd torment me by letting me sweat the time out. Well, I wouldn't be tortured that way.

I got up and tried to walk without wobbling. I prayed that no car would drive down the seldom used road. I didn't want anyone to see me. I knew I was dirtstained, and dishevelled. I'd be a disgrace to my husband as well as to my family, if anyone spread the word about my present condition.

I got home, washed my face, rested, and drank hot coffee. Then I phoned Dr. Proctor and asked him to make a house call.

When he arrived, I told him what had happened, and what I dreaded. He was furious to hear of Bob's behavior. He wanted to go to him and tell him that legal steps could be taken to make him leave me alone. But I convinced the doctor that eventually any legal steps I might take, such as getting a peace bond against Bob, would only bring what had happened to my husband's attention.

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"Granger doesn't deserve to be hurt," I said.

agree on that," said the doctor.

"If if I am pregnant-" I began, distraughtly. "Melba, you may not have been raped," Dr. Proctor wisely pointed out. "Perhaps Bob just threatened you. I doubt that any one in his right mind, especially someone who has lived all his life in this community, would rape a girl on a roadside in bright sunlight. "Bob is capable of doing anything," I said, trembling. "Anything that he believes might hurt me.

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"In that case he's a really sick boy." The doctor's face was grim. Then he announced, "There's one way to find out if he's had entrance to your body this afternoon. An examination."

"Will you make it here, now?"

"Yes."

I went into the bedroom, and the doctor followed me. "A twisted mind like Bob's might find more satis faction in creating doubt in you, letting you live in torment of suspense for a while, than in actually making you pregnant," the doctor remarked.

I lay on the bed, and pulled up my legs exactly as the doctor instructed me to do. He opened his bag, and began the examination.

I held my breath.

At last he said, "No evidence of intercourse. You can stop worrying."

"Thank God!" I got off the bed.

eyes

"Melba," the doctor said, narrowing his thoughtfully. "You weren't so foolish as to douche when you first came home, were you?”

"No," I replied. "But I almost did. Then I knew that you'd have to see me as I was-to-to determine if Bob had raped me again."

"You trust professional ethics, I know." Dr. Proctor patted my shoulder. "I'll never mention this call," he assured. "Melba, promise me, if that young man gives you any more trouble you'll let me have a talk

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