“'Ah!' muttered old Pearse, 'Rick Voisey's daughter?'
“'I mean to see your son.'
“Old Pearse smiled. Queer smile he's got, sort of sneering sweet.
“'You can never tell where Zack may be,' he said. 'You think I want to shield him. You're wrong; Zack can take care of himself.'
“'Your son's here!' said John Ford. 'I know.' Old Pearse gave us a very queer look.
“'You come into my house like thieves in the night,' he said, 'and give me the lie, do you?'
“'Your son came to my child's room like a thief in the night; it's for that I want to see him,' and then,” said Dan, “there was a long silence. At last Pearse said:
“'I don't understand; has he played the blackguard?'
“John Ford answered, 'He's married her, or, before God, I'd kill him.'
“Old Pearse seemed to think this over, never moving on his pillows. 'You don't know Zack,' he said; 'I'm sorry for you, and I'm sorry for Rick Voisey's daughter; but you don't know Zack.'