"I swear!" he exclaimed, with a brutal laugh, as his eyes took in the details of the neat little kitchen, and came at last to rest upon the woman's white face. "I swear! I do believe Molly's married!"
The idea seemed to strike him as a peculiarly novel and amusing one.
"Molly Craigie married and settled down! Well, if that ain't a good one!" and he burst into another cruel laugh. His mocking words seemed at last to sting the woman, who had sat smitten mute before him, into action. She rose and faced him, trembling, but defiant.
"Dick Staples, what brought ye here only God knows, but ye mus'n't stay here. Ye must go 'way this minute, d'ye hear? Ye must go 'way!"
She spoke hurriedly, glancing down the road as she did so. The man stared blankly at her a moment.
"Well, now, if that ain't a nice way to treat an old friend! Why, Molly, you ain't going back on Dick you ain't seen for so long, are you? I'd no idea of ever seeing you again, but now I've found you, you don't get rid of me so easy. I'm going to make myself at home, Molly, see if I don't." And the man seated himself and crossed his legs comfortably, looking about him with a mocking air of geniality and friendliness. "Why, d——n it!" he continued, "I'm going to stay to dinner, and be introduced to your husband!"
Molly went nearer to him; the defiance in her manner had disappeared, and a look of almost abject terror and appeal had taken its place.
"Dick," she cried, imploringly, "oh, Dick, for God's sake hear me! If ye want to see me, to speak with me, I won't refuse ye, only not here, Dick,—for God's sake not here!" and she glanced desperately around. "What brought ye here, Dick? Tell me that, and where are ye stayin'?"
"Well, then," he answered surlily, "I ran up for a little shooting, and I'm staying at Digby's."