"Please wait. What could I think when you told me? I was at the settlement that morning, and saw your cut lips when you stood on the verandah."
The man started a little, but he promptly recovered from his astonishment, and looked at her with twinkling eyes.
"Now I understand," he said. "You were a little disgusted with me. The men you are used to wouldn't have thrown any one they couldn't agree with out of a hotel."
"No. Still, there are cases when the provocation may be too strong for one."
"It is quite often that way with me. I'm afraid I am a little short in temper."
He leant upon the table, as though he had nothing more to say, and Carrie recognised that he did not mean to tell her what had led up to the outbreak. Whether this was due to pride or generosity she did not know, but the fact made its impression upon her. Her husband was, it seemed, sure enough of his own purposes to disregard what others thought of him; but there was a certain sting in the reflection. A desire on his part to stand well in her estimation would have been more gratifying. Still, she overcame the slight sense of mortification.
"You haven't told me what the provocation was," she said.
"No," said Leland, with a little quiet smile. "It wouldn't be quite the thing to worry you with an explanation every time I lose my temper. I do it now and then."
"Ah," said Carrie, "don't you care, then, what I think of you? Still, in this case, I needn't ask you. Mrs. Custer told me that, too. That is why I felt I must ask you to forgive me for presuming to blame you. I want to be just, and I was in my wilfulness horribly far from being so."
"You want to be just? That was the only reason?"