Peter changed color at the thrust, but he kept himself in hand.
“I'm not keeping her here,” he said patiently. “I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances.”
“Then your best is pretty bad.”
“Perhaps. If you would try to remember the circumstances, McLean,—that the girl has no place else to go, practically no money, and that I—”
“I remember one circumstance, that you are living here alone with her and that you're crazy in love with her.”
“That has nothing to do with you. As long as I treat her—”
“Bah!”
“Will you be good enough to let me finish what I am trying to say? She's safe with me. When I say that I mean it. She will not go away from here with you or with any one else if I can prevent it. And if you care enough about her to try to keep her happy you'll not let her know you have been here. I've got a woman coming to take Anna's place. That ought to satisfy you.”
“Dr. Jennings?”
“Yes.”