"Cherry," he said abruptly, and in a voice so commanding that it was almost harsh.
The sobbing ceased suddenly and Cherry looked up expectantly.
"It ain't so bad," he said in a gentler voice.
"But what——" she began.
"I don't know," he replied quickly. "One thing at a time, I guess—that's enough to think about."
"But I can't let father——"
"Wait," King interrupted again. "McCartney's bad—bad clean through. Some time—sooner or later—a bad man makes a mistake. I think Bill McCartney's mistake is about due. He's made one bad mistake already—maybe more—but one, anyhow."
"What has he done?" Cherry asked.
King, for once, found it easy to talk.
"He has made up his mind he'll have you," he replied quickly. "But he's made a mistake. I'm going to have you, Cherry!"