"He did not tell me why he came, father. It was all too sudden; and he was very angry."
"Too sudden? Angry? How?"
"Dick Storms frightened me so, and Mr. Hurst saw it, just as he came in. I could have struck him myself, father!" cried the girl, and her pale face flamed up with a remembrance of the indignity offered her.
Jessup clenched his fist.
"Why, what did the young man do?"
"He would not believe that his offer was hateful to me, and—and acted as if I had said yes."
"I understand. The idiot! But he must have been drinking, Ruth."
"I don't know, and I only hope you will never let him come here again."
"But he will be sorry, Ruth. You must not be too hard on the young fellow."
"Hard upon him? Oh, father!"