He looked with clear hard eyes at Mary, and at the young girl. They were both watching him, puzzled and perturbed. The two old people in the background were silent but hostile.
"Do you know what I am faithful to?" he said, still to the two young women, but letting the elders hear. "I am faithful to my own inside, when something stirs in me. Gran Ellis said that was God in me. I know there's a God outside of me. But he tells me to go my own way, and never be frightened of people and the world, only be frightened of Him. And if I felt I really wanted two wives, for example, I would have them and keep them both. If I really wanted them, it would mean it was the God outside of me bidding me, and it would be up to me to obey, world or no world."
"You describe exactly the devil driving you," said Aunt Matilda.
"Doesn't he!" laughed Mr. George, who was oddly impressed. "I hope there isn't a streak of madness in the family."
"No, there's not. The world is all so tame, it's a bit imbecile, in my opinion. Really a dangerous idiot. If I do want two wives—or even three—I do. Why should I mind what the idiot says."
"Sounds like you'd gone cracked, out there in that mining settlement," said Mr. George.
"If I said I wanted two fortunes instead of one, you wouldn't think it cracked," said Jack, with a malicious smile.
"No, only greedy," said Old George.
"Not if I could use them. And the same if I have real use for two wives—or even three—" said Jack, grinning, but with a queer bright intention, at Hilda Blessington. "Well, three wives would be three fortunes for my blood and spirit."
"You are not allowed to say such things, even as a joke," said Aunt Matilda, with ponderous disapproval. "It is no joke to me."