Waldstricker leaned over the table, looking first at his wife, then at Madelene. Helen shuddered. How relentless he looked when his mouth turned down at both corners! She had grown so afraid of him of late.
"I've an effective way to keep him from her," said he.
"Goody!" exclaimed Madelene, and "How, dear?" asked Helen.
The man spoke only two words in a low, husky voice, but each woman heard them.
"Good!" gasped Madelene, standing quickly. "How perfectly glorious!"
"How perfectly awful!" groaned Helen. "Ebenezer, don't do anything so dreadful."
Waldstricker looked across the table with that strange glitter in his eyes.
"Helen, must we go over again the same painful ground that women should not interfere!"
Mrs. Waldstricker rose to her feet.
"No, Ebenezer, no, no! Only I was thinking of Deforrest!"