Patty thought she had never known any one who could turn from anger to kindness so suddenly, but she resolved to strike while the iron was hot.
“It’s about K-Kitty,” she said, still sobbing, but peeping out from behind her handkerchief to see how he took this broadside.
“I supposed so,” he said, with a sigh. “Well, what about her?”
“She’s your daughter, you know,” went on Patty, growing more daring, as she slyly watched the old gentleman’s expression.
“Is she, indeed? I’d forgotten the fact.”
This, though in a sarcastic tone, was better than his usual disavowal of the relationship.
“And did you stop in here, and treat me to this absurd scene, just to inform me concerning my family tree?”
“N-no,” said Patty, resorting to tears again. “I stopped in, to—to ask you s-something.”
“Well, out with it! Are you afraid of me?”
This nettled Patty.