CHAPTER XII
MAN PROPOSES
The Author closed the door and leaned against it. His piercing glance jumped from Nicholas Jelnik's face to mine, with a prolonged and savage scrutiny. No detail of my appearance escaped him—my reddened eyelids, my pallor, my nervousness, my dishevelment. His eyes narrowed, his jaw hardened.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded, roughly. "Come! At least one may hope for the truth from you!"
Mr. Jelnik gave him a level look. There was that in it which brought an angry red to The Author's thin face.
"Let me answer for her: just at present Miss Smith is getting ready to go home."
The Author struggled to keep his rising temper in hand.
"I asked you a plain question, Miss Smith!" His peremptory tone jangled my strained nerves.
"Mr. Jelnik has answered you: I am getting ready to go home."
The Author stamped.