“I’ll talk with Jarvis,” he said roughly. “And in the meantime you keep away from him. Just let me manage for a while. A woman isn’t up to business, anyway. Why, it makes me hot to think of his coming here and talking you to a finish the way he did. I wish I’d caught him at it, that’s all.”
“David!” Barbara’s voice was low and urgent. “I wish you wouldn’t——”
“Wouldn’t what?”
She clung to his arm; but his look did not soften.
“Please don’t—say anything to Mr. Jarvis. He—meant to be kind. He——”
David turned suddenly and caught her by the shoulders.
“See here,” he said. “I’m beginning to see a glimmer of light through this particular millstone. Is Jarvis the man who tried to get you to marry him while I was away? Answer me!”
“He asked—me—to marry him, and I——”
David burst into a great laugh.