Captain Obed tried to put in a word. “Don't you see, Thankful?” he said. “John knew you thought you owned the land and so—”
“Hush! Please don't. I—I don't see. Mr. Kendrick, you—you have prided yourself on bein' honest with your clients, and Mr. Holliday Kendrick WAS your client.”
John smiled. “I compromised there,” he answered. “I returned his money and resigned as his attorney before I sent you the deed. It was a compromise, I admit, but I had to choose between him and—well, my honor, if you like; although that sounds theatrical. I chose to be honest with myself—that's all. The land is yours, Mrs. Barnes.”
He handed her the envelope containing the deed. She took it and sat there turning it over and over in her fingers, not looking at it, but thinking, or trying to think.
“You give it to me,” she said. “It was yours and you give it to me. Why should you? Do—do you think I can TAKE it from you?”
“Certainly, you must take it.”
“But I can't! I can't!”
“Certainly you can. Why not?”
“Why NOT? After the things I've thought about you? And after the way I've treated you? And—and after Emily—”
“She didn't know either,” broke in Captain Obed. “She didn't understand. She—”