"Is it true?" she insisted.
"You heard what Roly said," he replied, with a chastened expression.
"Then you admit it?"
"I admit nothing."
"Oh-h!" The girl drew away from him as from defilement. "I—I hate you!" she cried in a voice of loathing
"That's all right," he told her serenely; "I've despised myself all evening."
The girl showed him a scornful back. "Papa——" she began.
"Don't thank me, Josie. Roland done it all: he got onto him." Lockwood continued to watch Duncan with the air of a cat eyeing a mouse.
Impulsively Josie moved to Roland's side and caught his arm. He drew himself up proudly.
"I do thank you, Roland; I can never be grateful enough. I've been so foolish.