CHAPTER XXI. BLACK STAR AND NIGHT 

The time had come for Venters and Bess to leave their retreat. They were at great pains to choose the few things they would be able to carry with them on the journey out of Utah. 

"Bern, whatever kind of a pack's this, anyhow?" questioned Bess, rising from her work with reddened face. 

Venters, absorbed in his own task, did not look up at all, and in reply said he had brought so much from Cottonwoods that he did not recollect the half of it. 

"A woman packed this!" Bess exclaimed. 

He scarcely caught her meaning, but the peculiar tone of her voice caused him instantly to rise, and he saw Bess on her knees before an open pack which he recognized as the one given him by Jane. 

"By George!" he ejaculated, guiltily, and then at sight of Bess's face he laughed outright. 

"A woman packed this," she repeated, fixing woeful, tragic eyes on him. 

"Well, is that a crime?' 

"There--there is a woman, after all!" 

"Now Bess--" 

"You've lied to me!" 

Then and there Venters found it imperative to postpone work for the present. All her life Bess had been isolated, but she had inherited certain elements of the eternal feminine. 

"But there was a woman and you did lie to me," she kept repeating, after he had explained. 

"What of that? Bess, I'll get angry at you in a moment. Remember you've been pent up all your life. I venture to say that if you'd been out in the world you d have had a dozen sweethearts and have told many a lie before this."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Where were the Venters and Bess going away from?
2. What location were the Venters and Bess leaving behind?
3. 
Q2:
1. Where was the retreat?
2. What was the retreat's location?
3. 
Q3:
1. Could the Venters and Bess take everything with them?
2. Was it possible for the Venters and Bess to bring all their possessions with them?
3. 
Q4:
1. Did the Venters have a small amount of luggage?
2. Did the Venters not have many things with them?
3. 
Q5:
1. Was it a man that put the bag together?
2. Was the luggage packed by a male?
3. 
Q6:
1. Is it a problem for Bess that a woman packed the bag?
2. Is Bess not okay with the fact that a woman packed the bag?
3. 
Q7:
1. Why is Bess upset that a woman packed the bag?
2. What makes the fact that a woman packed the bag problematic for Bess?
3. 
Q8:
1. Does Venters mount a defense for his actions?
2. Does Venters try and convince Bess he did nothing wrong?
3. 
Q9:
1. What does Venters ask Bess to recall?
2. What does Venters request that Bess remember?
3. 
Q10:
1. 
2. 
3. 
Q11:
1. Who was the lady that put together Venter's bag?
2. What is the identity of the woman who packed Venters' bag?
3. 
Q12:
1. Who was the sweetheart?
2. What was the name of the woman that packed Venters' bag?
3. 
