all the life crushed out of her

He was killed in the war. I believe his men worshipped him. 　　They say great big troopers broke down and cried over his bodyon the battlefield. I wish I'd known him. Mother had all the life crushed out of her. The world--" She clenched her fist. 　　"Oh, people can be horrid to a woman like that!" She turnedupon Hewet. 　　"Well," she said, "d'you want to know any more about me?""But you?" he asked, "Who looked after you?""I've looked after myself mostly," she laughed. "I've hadsplendid friends. I do like people! That's the trouble. 　　What would you do if you liked two people, both of them tremendously,and you couldn't tell which most?""I should go on liking them--I should wait and see. Why not?""But one has to make up one's mind," said Evelyn. "Or are youone of the people who doesn't believe in marriages and all that? 　　Look here--this isn't fair, I do all the telling, and you tell nothing. 　　Perhaps you're the same as your friend"--she looked at him suspiciously;"perhaps you don't like me?""I don't know you," said Hewet. 　　"I know when I like a person directly I see them! I knew I liked youthe very first night at dinner. Oh dear," she continued impatiently,"what a lot of bother would be saved if only people would say thethings they think straight out! I'm made like that. I can't help it.""But don't you find it leads to difficulties?" Hewet asked. 　　"That's men's fault," she answered. "They always drag it in-love,I mean.""And so you've gone on having one proposal after another,"said Hewet. 　　"I don't suppose I've had more proposals than most women,"said Evelyn, but she spoke without conviction. 　　"Five, six, ten?" Hewet ventured. 　　Evelyn seemed to intimate that perhaps ten was the right figure,but that it really was not a high one. 　　"I believe you're thinking me a heartless flirt," she protested.