"I may sit down?" she asked. "Thanks. Now, Stephen, I want to talk business."
"Talk," he said, sitting before her. "It's about——"
"This afternoon's news. Oh, yes," as he turned his eyes away, "it's got to me already. Some of your men, not getting in here, came to see me. How did it happen, Stephen?"
"Price," he answered between his teeth. "By God, I——" The curse and the threat died away, and he sat staring at the carpet.
"Oh," she cried, "and I warned you of him!"
"Well," he growled, "it's over. I'm not looking back."
She leaned toward him earnestly. "Are you looking ahead? You're not giving up, are you?"
"No!" he cried scornfully.
"Good!" she responded, relieved, but then she asked: "What has got into you? Three times you've shut yourself up so."
"Never again," he assured her. "It's all over, Lydia. I shall never spend any more time—regretting."