"How much is it for her father's sake?" he burst out.
The words, offensive as they were, were less so than the manner.
"A good deal," I answered him soberly. "I have been his friend from the time we were both children."
He moved in his chair uneasily.
"Look here, Ruth," he said; "you've no occasion to be offended because I hint at what everybody else will say."
I asked what that was.
"You are angry," was his response. "When you put on your grand air it is no use to argue with you; but I've made up my mind to be plain. Everybody says you took the baby because you are fond of him."
I could feel myself stiffening in manner with every word, but I could not help it. I had certainly a right to be offended; but I tried to speak as naturally as I could.
"I don't know, George," was my reply, "what business it is of everybody's; and if it were, why should I not be fond of Tom?"