“Very well; I promise not to ask any more questions.”
“That would be very agreeable to me.” Then, as if he realized the rudeness of his reply, he added: “Before I leave I will tell you all you wish to know, upon one condition.”
“Tell it!”
“You will say nothing to any one, you will question neither Miss Harrigan nor myself, nor permit yourself to be questioned.”
“I agree.”
“And now, will you not take me over to your friends?”
“Over there?” aghast.
“Why, yes. We can sit upon the grass. They seem to be having a good time.”
What a man! Take him over, into the enemy’s camp? Nothing would be more agreeable to her. Who would be the stronger, Nora or this provoking man?
So they crossed over and joined the group. The padre smiled. It was a situation such as he loved to study: a strong man and a strong woman, at war. But nothing happened; not a ripple anywhere to disclose the agitation beneath. The man laughed and the woman laughed, but they spoke not to each other, nor looked once into each other’s eyes.