He gave himself a sharp cut with the switch. "It can't have been so very long since they left, for the old man was over to see father this morning. Which way did they go? I may overtake them."
"That would be greatly against their wish, sir."
"I am not asking for an opinion. I want to know which way they went."
"I am not at liberty to tell you that. They have gone out into a world that is as strange to them as America was to Columbus."
"Rot. There isn't a smarter woman anywhere than Guinea. She has read everything and she knows the world as well as I do. But why are you not privileged to tell me which way they went? I have something to say that concerns them closely. Did they go toward town?"
"Do you suppose that they would go away without first seeing their son?"
"Then you mean that they went to town. Why the devil can't you speak out? Why should you stand as a stumbling block?"
"Why should I stand as a sign post?"
"Now here, you needn't show your selfishness in this matter. She wouldn't wipe her feet on you."
"No, but she would wipe them on you."