Lancaster ground his teeth. Now that all danger was past, he felt no gratitude for the routing of Matthews and the strategy at The Trooper's Delight. He could only feel that his authority in his own home was threatened. He turned his back.
Lounsbury glanced at the girls. They were watching their father appealingly.
"I should say," went on Lounsbury, "that we have the interests of your daughters at heart." His hand reached for the latch.
"Mr. Lounsbury!" Dallas made a swift step toward him.
Now, the section-boss came about. Lounsbury was reminded of the day on the plowed strip. For he saw that Lancaster was all a-tremble, and panting as if spent with a hard run. "M' gal!" he cried sternly.
Dallas stepped back and touched her father's arm. And her remonstrance was the remonstrance of that other day. "No, no, dad," she cautioned in a low voice; "no, no."
Lancaster's breast heaved. He swallowed with an effort, and scowled from one to another of the four.
David Bond came forward, addressing Lounsbury. "Will you tell me your name?" he asked. "I want to remember you. You are not a soldier. Do you belong at Clark's——"
"Did y' size him up fer a cow-punch?" broke in Lancaster. "Huh! Wal, Ah never did."
Lounsbury's face dyed to a deep scarlet. "No?" he said. "And why?"