Bart was stretching out his hands now as if in supplication. He had never seen his father like this—the sight frightened him.
"Father, will you listen—" he pleaded.
"I'll listen to nothin'—"
"Will you, please? It's not all my fault. She ought to have kept out of my way—"
"Stop! Take that back! You'd blame HER, would ye—a child just out of school, and as innocent as a baby? By God, you'll do right by her or you'll never set foot inside my house again!"
Bart faced his father again.
"I want to tell you the whole story before you judge me. I want to—"
"You'll tell me nothin'! Will you act square with her?"
"I must tell you first. You wouldn't understand unless—"
"You won't? That's what you mean—you mean you WON'T! Damn ye!" The captain raised his clenched fist, quivered for an instant as if struggling against something beyond his control, dropped it slowly to his side and whirling suddenly, strode back up the beach.