"How are you, Wells?" he said politely. "Won't you come in? We've having a singing lesson."
Shad did not move or speak as Peter went on, "Take the chair by the door, old man. The cigarettes are on the table. Now, Beth——"
But Beth remained as she was, uneasily regarding the intruder, for she knew that Shad was there for no good purpose. Peter caught her look and turned toward the door, deliberately ignoring the man's threatening demeanor.
"We won't be long," he began coolly, "not over half an hour——"
"No, I know ye won't," growled Shad. And then to the girl, "Beth, come out o' there!"
If Shad's appearance had caused Beth any uncertainty, she found her spirit now, for her eyes flashed and her mouth closed in a hard line.
"Who are you to say where I come or go?" she said evenly.
But Shad stood his ground.
"If you don't know enough to know what's what I'm here to show you."
"Oh, I say——," said Peter coolly.