At that instant Kellogg appeared. "Hello, Nat! What's been keeping you? I came down to bring you home to supper."
"Go to blazes with your supper! Keep away from me! Don't talk to me! I don't want anything to do with you, d'you understand? You and your confounded systems have got me into all this——"
He caught sight of his hat abruptly, ceased talking, grabbed the hat and jammed it on his head, muttering; then started on a run for the door.
"But what's the matter?" demanded Kellogg, thunderstruck. "Here! Hold on! Where are you going?"
"To the only place I can get any consolation—church!"
[ XXII ]
ROLAND'S TRIUMPH
But at the doorstep of the Methodist Church Nat hesitated. The building was dimly lighted, for it was choir practise night, and the door was ajar; but he couldn't bring himself to enter. He would not long have peace and quiet in which to think, there; presently would come Angle and Josie and Roland and...
"I couldn't stand it; I'd probably murder Roland....
"Besides, I've no right there—an impostor—a contemptible low-lived pup like me!...