But he was still grimly intent upon his trial of her.
“Because I cannot go with you, and because I shall be away in the woods, Elva,” he said, after a time, “I am going to send you to the shore with the Dustins.”
There was sudden fire in her dark eyes.
“I do not care to go anywhere with the Dustins,” she said, with decision. “I do not care to go anywhere at all this summer. Father!” There was a volume of protest in the intonation of the word. She had the bluntness of his business air when she was aroused. “I would be blind and a fool not to understand why you are so determined to throw me in with the Dustins. You want me to marry that bland and blessed son and heir. But I’ll not do any such thing.”
“You are jumping at conclusions, Elva,” he returned, feeling that he himself had suddenly become the hunted.
“I’ve got enough of your wit, father, to know what’s in a barrel when there’s a knot-hole for me to peep through.”
“Now that you have brought up the subject, what reason is there for your not wanting to marry Weston Dustin? He’s—”
“I know all about him,” she interrupted. “There is no earthly need for you and me to get into a snarl of words about him, dadah! He isn’t the man I want for a husband; and when John Barrett’s only daughter tells him that with all her heart and soul, I don’t believe John Barrett is going to argue the question or ask for further reasons or give any orders.”
He bridled in turn.