"Good-day, sir," he ejaculated savagely.
Ben stood for a silent space undecided. His fists were clenched. Geraldine, meeting his glowing eyes, shook her head slowly. Her keen distress made him fear to make another move.
"At some other time, then, perhaps," he said, tingling with the increasing desire to knock down his host and catch this girl up in his arms.
"Yes, at some other time," said Rufus, speaking with a sneer. "Tell Miss Upton that Mrs. Carder may see her later."
A tide of crimson rushed over Ben's face. He saw that there must be a pressure here that he could not understand, and again Geraldine's fair head and wonderful eyes signaled him a warning. He could not risk increasing her suffering.
"Good-day, sir," repeated Rufus; and the visitor stepped down from the office-door in silence and out to his machine.
Carder turned back to Geraldine, who met his angry gaze with despairing eyes.
"What have I to hope for from you when you treat a stranger so inexcusably?" she said in a low, clear voice that had a sharp edge.