She chose to ignore the attitude of lover which he had assumed. After a moment's silence Flenton began desperately,
"Yo' grandfather named to me that I ought not to visit at the house like I do without my intentions towards and concerning you was made clear," twisting Grandfather Gentry's words to a significance that would certainly have amazed the original speaker. "I told him that I was a honest man and a member in good standin' of Brush Arbor church, and that what I wanted of you was—"
He caught the eye of the girl at the loom and broke off. The red was rising in her pale face till she looked like the Callista of old.
"Don't you never say it!" she choked. "Don't you come here to me, a wedded wife, doin' for my child, and talk like I was a girl lookin' for a husband. I've got one man. Him and me will settle our affairs without help from you. I may not let you nor nobody else, name him to me—but I'll take no such words as this from your mouth."
"An' you won't let me come about any more—you won't speak to me?" demanded Hands, in alarm.
"What is it to me where you come or where you stay?" Callista 308 flung back scornfully. "This ain't house of mine—I'm not the one to bid you go or come."
And with this very unsatisfactory permission, Flenton was obliged to content himself. Thereafter he went to the Gentry's as often as he dared. He sent Little Liza when he was afraid to go; and if Callista put her foot off the place, she found herself dogged and followed by her unwelcome suitor.