"She wasn't expecting me," said Bonbright, breaking silence for the first time. "I came because she didn't get a square deal…. I had to come."
"What do you want with her?… You've kicked her out of your office—now leave her alone…. There's just one thing men of your class want of girls of her class…."
At first Bonbright did not comprehend Dulac's meaning; then his face reddened; even his ears were enveloped in a surge of color. "Dulac," he said, evenly, "I came to say something to Miss Frazer. When I have done I'm going to thrash you for that."
Ruth seized Dulac's arm. "Go away," she cried. "You have no right. … If you ever want an answer—to that question—you'll go NOW… If this goes on—if you don't go and leave Mr. Foote alone, I'll never see you again…. I'll never speak to you again…. I mean it!"
Dulac, looking down into her face, saw that she did mean it. He shot one venomous glance at Bonbright, snatched his hat from the table, and rushed from the room.
Presently Ruth spoke.
"I'm so sorry," she said.
Bonbright smiled. "It was too bad…. He believes what he says about me…."
"Yes, he believes it, and thousands of other men believe it…. They hate you."
"Because I have lots of money and they have little. Because I own a factory and they work in it…. There must be a great deal to it besides that…. But that isn't what I came to say. I—it was about discharging you."