"And you're just sorry!"
"When did you find this out?"
"That day you drove Matthews away. She told me."
He walked about again. "I can't see why she does," he mused pathetically. "I can't remember doing anything."
"But you've been so good to us—even after the way dad acted—guarded out here, and sent that land-office man down from Bismarck——"
He made a protesting gesture. "Pshaw!"
"Oh, yes, you did. And why? Why?—if you don't care——"
A long silence followed. During it she watched him, her very attitude imploring, while he continued to pace.
All at once he stopped determinedly. "There's a reason," he said, "why I can't do what you ask: Come to see Marylyn, and—and all that."
"Dad? Ah, he's got to think like me."