"We are badly off just now for teachers in the night-school. Mr. Mordan thought it just possible, that you might be kindly willing now and then to take a class."
"No, sir! I am not kindly willing," shouted the Colonel, like a man goaded into sudden fury.
Edred stood, silent and gentlemanly. This did not cause a change of colour, like Dorothea's words.
"I've borne enough of this sort of thing! Interference and meddling! I'll not take a class in the night-school, or any other school!" declared the angry Colonel, in a voice which might be heard across the street.
Dorothea grow white again; but she came forward, close to her father, as if to restrain him.
"And if there's any more of it, I'll—I'll—I'll keep Dorothea at home too," spluttered the Colonel.
"Father, there is no harm in being asked. It is so easy to say No," observed Dorothea gently.
"I have said No! I'll say it again if needful."
"Hardly necessary. I am sorry to have even made the suggestion, since it is so unpleasant to you," said Edred, with cold courtesy. "Pray excuse me. Some day when you are not so busy—"
The Colonel began to splutter anew.