"You see, Doug, Dad keeps Scott sore all the time about me. I don't think he'd be half so ugly to you if it were not for that."
"O yes, he would!" replied Douglas. "Scott and I were born to fight with each other, just like old Prince and Charleton's Nero. We can't help our backs bristling when we see each other."
"Inez could make Scott behave if she cared anything about it. Scott isn't in love with her, but she has a lot of influence over him, like she has over the other men in this valley." Judith watched her hunting-boots steam against the hearth.
"She has too much influence over you, Judith," said Mr. Fowler.
"She's my friend," returned Judith briefly.
"Your friend!" cried Fowler. "Your friend! Do you realize what you are saying?"
"Yes, I certainly do, and I don't want a lecture about it either."
Judith sat erect.
Mr. Fowler leaned forward, his eyes glowing with indignation. "I've swallowed all I can swallow about Inez Rodman. I allowed Douglas to bring her to the table and I ate with her though my gore rose in my throat. Because I felt that my only chance to win the confidence of Lost Chief was to countenance for a time that which cannot be countenanced. But I am through. How long do you think you can be a friend to Inez, Judith, and not become like her?"
Judith jumped to her feet. "O, I am so sick of this kind of thing!" she cried.
"Fowler is dead right and you know it, Judith," said Douglas.