The child broke away from Thrasher, and ran out of the room with a loud burst of sobs, leaving them both disconcerted.
"You should not have allowed her to dislike me so, Ellen," he said, after an instant.
"Dear me, I cannot control the child's fancies. Do you think the whole world must be in love with you?"
"I should be satisfied if I only felt certain that you cared for me," replied Thrasher, earnestly.
She rose and gave him a look of coquettish defiance.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To call Mrs. Prior."
"What for, I should like to know?"
"To bring you back to your senses, of course."
"You will drive me out of them!" he exclaimed, catching her hand. "Do listen to me, Ellen."