“I’m not trying to take her away from you.”
“You’re trying to ruin my career.”
“Fairfax has put all this into your head, Nellie, dear. He’s a low-down rascal.”
“He’s my friend, and a good one, too. I don’t believe he offered you that money to agree to a separation.”
“Darn it all, you can still see the scar on my lip. That ought to prove something. If I hadn’t stumbled, I’d have knocked him silly. As it was, he kicked me in the face when I was down.” 119
“He told me you assaulted him without cause.”
“He lied.”
“Well, that’s neither here nor there. I’m sorry you were beaten up so badly. It wasn’t right, I’ll admit. He said you were plucky, Harve. I couldn’t believe him at first.”
His face brightened.
“You give me a chance and I’ll show you how plucky I am!” he cried. “Come on now, Nellie, let’s make a fresh start.”