“Supposing? Well, I shouldn’t go, that’s all.”
“You wouldn’t? Do you mean to say you’d defy me?”
“Yes, I do mean to say it.” She came close before him, put her little fists behind her back, and tilted her chin at him. “What’s all this about? Aren’t I wanted any more, or have you changed your mind? That ’ud be a pity, because I’m not the sort, you know, to be taken or left just as it suits a man’s convenience.” She laughed—not pleasantly. “Has it never occurred to you, George, that you happen to be just a little bit in my power?”
“The devil I am!”
“So am I—on occasion. You might find that out if you provoked me.”
“Why, what could you do?”
“I could blab, couldn’t I—make havoc of your little plot?”
He was a trifle staggered. Here was something overlooked in his calculations. He had only designed, in fact, to stimulate her efforts; this threatened rebellion revealed some mistake in his methods.
“And lose for ever your chance of promotion,” said he. “Well, if you wish to make me your enemy——”
She nodded her head once or twice.