To that, Clare made no reply. "These gentlemen are going," she said.
"And I wish you'd go too."
"Then I can't help him—and you?"
In sudden rage, Clare came toward her, voice raised almost to a shout. "Help! Help! Help!" she mocked. "I don't want help! I want to be let alone!—And I can't waste any more time. You'll have to excuse me!" She faced about abruptly and disappeared into her own room, banging the door.
Sue lowered her head, and knitted her brows in a look of defeat that was almost comical. "Well," she observed presently, "as Ikey says, 'Always you can't do it.'"
Seeing the way clear for himself, her brother's attitude became more sure. "I'm afraid you've only made things worse," he declared.
Balcome flapped his hat. "We had her in pretty good temper—for a woman."
Thus championed, the younger man grew even bolder. "And I thought you were going to keep out of this," he went on; "you promised mother——"
Now of a sudden, Sue lost that manner at once apologetic and childlike.
"When did you know Miss Crosby?" she demanded of Wallace, sharply.
"How long ago?"
"The year I met Alan.—I was eighteen."
"And you didn't have anything to do with this trouble? You're not responsible in any way?"