They ran to her, clambered into her lap, and turned doubting eyes upon Thornton.
"You—expect me to—to—take both?" he asked, still in that low, thick tone.
"Certainly not. One is mine. I shall demand my rights, be quite sure of that."
"This is the most outrageous thing I ever heard of!" Thornton was at bay; "the most immoral."
"I have often thought that it might be," Doris returned, her lips against Nancy's fair hair, "but the more you consider it the more you are convinced that it is not. It is simply—unusual." The tone defied understanding. "You must consider what I have done, George, step by step. I did not act rashly. And when we come to actual contact with all the truth confronting us, you and I will have to be very frank. May I send the children away? It is time for their nap." Already Doris's finger was pressing the electric button cunningly set in the coping of the fountain.
"Yes, do. There is much to say," Thornton muttered and, not having heard the bell, was startled at seeing the nurse appear at once. He looked up, and Mary looked at him. The girl felt the atmosphere. Thornton made a distinct impression upon her.
Left alone with Doris, Thornton drew his chair close to hers and waited for her to begin.
"Well," he said, "what have you to say? It would seem as if you might have a great deal, Doris."
"I have nothing to say."
"I suppose you did this to humiliate me—defeat me?" Thornton's lips twitched.