"There was a scene, then; they were ugly about it?"
"They tried to be; but it didn't go!"
He noted the faltering triumph of her tone and looked at her more closely.
"They wanted her to go and she held her ground against them?"
"I held it with her," said Phil.
"You didn't think she should go; was that it, Phil?"
"I didn't think she should be treated like a dog!"
Phil drew away, with her head held high, her fists tightly clenched. Kirkwood walked slowly across the room thrice while she stood immovable. He recalled her presence in a moment and remarked absently:—
"Amzi should have told me. It wasn't fair for him to do this. If I had known last night that she was here—"
He broke off with a groan. The resigned, indifferent air he had lately flung off possessed him again, and seeing it the pity stole back into her heart. She moved about, avoiding him, fearful of meeting again that hurt, wounded look in his eyes. The short day was drawing to an end, and the shadows deepened. He was mechanically lighting his pipe, and she crouched in her favorite seat by the fire.