"Nonsense," said he, with the man's feeling that he had thereby answered her.
She said dazedly: "You didn't mean it. No, you didn't mean it."
"Mean what?"
"All my plans—my year's work—and such a beautiful house and place I'll make." She started up, clasped her hands round his arm. "O Dick—don't be narrow—and so distrustful of me. I know I can do it. Let me show you my plans—my sketches——"
He took her hands, and said with gentle, firm earnestness, for he was ashamed of having lost his temper with a woman: "Courtney, I cannot have it. I will not let you disturb the place my grandfather gave his best thought to."
"But you don't like it, dear," she pleaded.
"I respect my grandfather's memory."
"But on our wedding trip you said——"
"Now, don't argue with me!"
"It's because you think I couldn't do it?"