"I will show you if you will permit," Curtis coldly replied, and set out to cross the road.
The old man hobbled painfully at first, but soon recovered enough of his habitual power to follow Curtis, who did not wait, for he wished to have a private word with Elsie before her father came. She was lying down as he knocked, resting, waiting for the dinner call.
"Your father is here," he said, as she opened the door.
Her face expressed surprise, not pleasure.
"Here! Here at the agency?"
"Yes, and on his way to the studio. Moreover, he is very dirty, very disgusted, very crusty, and not at all well."
"Poor old father! Now he'll make it uncomfortable for us all. He has come for me, of course. Who is with him?"
"The sheriff, the county attorney, and some reporters."
She smiled. "Then he is 'after you,' too."
"It looks that way. But you must not go away without giving me another chance to talk with you. Will you promise that?" he demanded, abruptly, passionately. "I have something to say to you."