"No, Henri. Not yet. I—"
"That is enough. You are needed. You are willing to stay. I shall attend to the money. It is arranged."
"You don't understand," said Sara Lee desperately. "I am engaged to him. I can't wreck his life, can I?"
"Would it wreck your life?" he demanded. "Tell me that and I shall know how to reason with you."
But she only looked at him helplessly.
Heavy tramping in the passage told of the arrival of the first men. They did not talk and laugh as usual. As well as they could they came quietly. For René had been a good friend to many of them, and had admitted on slack nights many a weary man who had no ticket. Much as the neighbors had entered the house back home after Uncle James had gone away, came these bearded men that night. And Sara Lee, hearing their muffled voices, brushed a hand over her eyes and tried to smile.
"We can talk about it later," she said. "We mustn't quarrel. I owe so much to you, Henri."
Suddenly Henri caught her by the arm and turned her about so that she faced the lamp.
"Do you love him?" he demanded. "Sara Lee, look at me!" Only he pronounced it Saralie. "He has done a very cruel thing. Do you still love him?"
Sara Lee shut her eyes.