“No, no, sir; it is not that.”
“Hah!” he ejaculated. “She would not dare. Well, then, what is it? You, Dana, speak, my child.”
Dana was silent, and he turned angrily upon Saxa. “You are the elder girl. Tell me at once. I know: it is something about one of the boys.”
“He must know, Dan; speak out,” said Saxa firmly.
“Why do you put it on my shoulders?” cried Dana angrily. “Very well, then, if I must. Daddy, it isn’t my fault, but that’s all over now.”
“What is, my girl?”
“All that with Alison; and we’ve come to say good-bye. We are going back home.”
“What?” he cried. “Nonsense! rubbish! Some silly lovers’ tiff. What has he said to you? Bah, my pretty one! Go down and box his ugly ears, and make him beg your pardon; you can do it, I know.”
“And is Saxa to do the same?” she said bitterly. “What! you are not in trouble, too, with Neil?” Saxa was silent.
Ralph Elthorne made an effort to raise himself, but his head fell back heavily, and he uttered a low moan at his helplessness and wiped his face.