“You’ve been too kind already, Mr. King––”
“It isn’t a question of kindness, my dear Mr. Grandoken. As I’ve told you before, I’m very much interested in your niece.”
Bobbie slipped from Mrs. Grandoken and went close to the speaker.
“She’s my Jinnie,” breathed the boy with a saintly smile.
Theodore laughed.
“Yes, I know that, my lad, but you want her to be happy, don’t you?”
“She is happy,” interjected Lafe, trembling.
“You might tell us your plan,” broke in Peg sourly, who always desired to get the worst over quickly.
“Well, it is to send her away to school for a few years.”
Bobbie gave a little cry and staggered to Peg, holding out his hands. She picked him up, with bitterness depicted in her face. But when she looked at her husband she was shocked, for he was leaning against the wall, breathing deeply.