"I forbid you," said Frederick in a low, angry voice, "ever to mention that name again."
Then he whirled about and walked away through the trees. In alarm, Madelene sped after him.
"Frederick!" she implored. "I'm awfully sorry I said that.... I didn't mean to hurt you."
He shook her from his arm.
"Very well," he replied savagely, "but just please don't speak of her again."
Tears blinded the girl's vision.... An enraged feeling rose in her heart. Never in all her spoiled life had any one spoken to her in such a way. If Ebenezer had been there, Frederick would never have dared!
By this time, having stood mute for several seconds, she was thoroughly indignant. This was her first real conflict with Frederick, and she began to feel ill as well as incensed.
"It's dreadfully disagreeable of you to get angry over a little thing like that," she said impetuously. "One would think you loved that girl and not me. I was told lots of times you were crazy about her, but of course,—"
She hesitated now. She wanted to say cruel things about the squatter girl back in Ithaca, but she dared not. She was overwrought with anger, but her husband's threatening face forced her to silence.
"Are you determined to keep harping on a subject I wish to forget?" His words carried an ominous meaning, which quickened her already awakened jealousy. Determined to probe the matter to the bottom she demanded.