“In a week, then?”
“I cannot bind myself to a date,” said Mrs. Baines, haughtily. She felt that she was gaining ground.
“Because I can’t stay on here indefinitely as things are,” Mr. Povey burst out, and there was a touch of hysteria in his tone.
“Now, Mr. Povey, please do be reasonable.”
“That’s all very well,” he went on. “That’s all very well. But what I say is that employers have no right to have male assistants in their houses unless they are prepared to let their daughters marry! That’s what I say! No RIGHT!”
Mrs. Baines did not know what to answer.
The aspirant wound up: “I must leave if that’s the case.”
“If what’s the case?” she asked herself. “What has come over him?” And aloud: “You know you would place me in a very awkward position by leaving, and I hope you don’t want to mix up two quite different things. I hope you aren’t trying to threaten me.”
“Threaten you!” he cried. “Do you suppose I should leave here for fun? If I leave it will be because I can’t stand it. That’s all. I can’t stand it. I want Constance, and if I can’t have her, then I can’t stand it. What do you think I’m made of?”
“I’m sure—” she began.