"You can say what you like, Mister. And I've got somethin' to say to you when this lady goes."
"Oh,——" and then quietly to Beth, "Perhaps you'd better go. Bring the books to-morrow—at the same time."
But Beth hadn't moved, and only looked at Peter appealingly. So Peter spoke.
"This man is impolite, not to say disagreeable to you. Has he any right to speak to you like this?"
"No," said Beth uneasily, "but I don't want any trouble."
Peter walked to the door and faced Shad outside.
"There won't be any trouble unless Wells makes it." And then, as if a new thought had come to him, he said more cheerfully, "Perhaps he doesn't quite understand——"
"Oh, I understand, all right. Are you goin', Beth?"
She glanced at Peter, who nodded toward the path, and she came between them.
"Go on back, Shad," she said.