Hannibal looked up, with a curious mixture of amusement, contempt and hate in his dark face.
"I did," he answered.
"Why did you not answer?"
"Because I did not choose."
Daisy threw herself in front of Roseleaf, just in time to prevent Hannibal's receiving a blow.
"Oh, stop!" she exclaimed, "I beg you!"
The noise and the sound of raised voices brought Mr. Fern and his other daughter, with Archie Weil, to the door. Mr. Fern took in the situation at a glance, and his troubled face grew more distressed.
"Mr. Roseleaf," he said, speaking as if the words choked him, "I am surprised—that you should—hold an altercation like this—in my daughter's presence."
Roseleaf did not know what to do or say. Daisy's pleading eyes decided him, much against his judgment, to drop the matter where it was, galling to his pride though it might be. He escorted his sweetheart into the parlor, where the entire party followed, in a most uncomfortable state of mind.