"You went!—after my expressed wish to the contrary! That was unlike you."
Katherine showed dismay.
"But I did not understand. I am very sorry. Did you really mean—?"
"I meant precisely what I said."
She tried to recall what he had said.
"I thought you were only warning me to be careful—advising me not to see too much of the family, because of the elder girl. If I had imagined—but indeed I had no idea that you forbade it altogether."
The Squire's brow was deeply dented, with not only displeasure but disquietude. Seeing her distress, he pulled himself together, and smiled.
"Tell me what passed."
Katherine did her best. She was in a mental condition to be easily upset, and her voice was not steady, as she related what little there was—in her estimation—worth relating. She was not gifted as a raconteur, and the tale sounded bare.
"Was that all?"