“You’d never do that, Dad––you’d never break your word with me, after all I’ve gone through for you, and take my lambs away from me!”
“I would, just so,” said Tim. But he did not have the courage to look her in the face as he said it, turning 230 away like a stubborn man who had no cause beneath his feet, but who meant to be stubborn and unjust against it all.
“I don’t believe it!” she said.
“I will so, Joan.”
“Your word to Malcolm Reid means a whole lot to you, but your word to me means nothing!” Joan spoke in bitterness, her voice vibrating with passion.
“It isn’t the same,” he defended weakly.
“No, you can rob your daughter–––”
“Silence! I’ll not have it!” Tim could look at her now, having a reason, as he saw it. There was a solid footing to his pretense at last.
“It’s a cheap way to get a thousand lambs,” said she.
“Then I’ve got ’em cheap!” said Tim, red in his fury. “You’ll flout me and mock me and throw my offers for your good in my face, and speak disrespectful–––”