CHAPTER III
GLAVIS MAKES A PROMISE
GLAVIS tried to appear very serious when Baptiste called at where he worked an hour later, but it was beyond him to be so. It was said that he was in the habit of trying to appear like the Reverend, but since the pretended seriousness of that one had never affected Jean Baptiste, Glavis' affectation had still less effect.
"Well, Glavis," he began pointedly. "I'm here as per your suggestion, and since it is quite plain what the matter is, we may as well come directly to the point."
"Well, yes, Baptiste, I guess I may as well agree with you," replied Glavis.
"Then, to begin with. That remark you made over the 'phone regarding what I had said about you, let me say is a falsehood pure and simple. What I said or would say to your back I will say to your face."
"Well, Baptiste," he replied quickly, and his expression confirmed the words that followed, "I believe you."
"I have no occasion to lie. It is very plain that our father-in-law and I are not in accord, and while it may be nothing to you perhaps, I do not hesitate to say that there is nothing wrong between Orlean and me—and never has been. It is all between her father and me, and he is using her as the means."
"Well, that is rather direct," suggested Glavis.
"Evidently so; but it's the truth and you know it. It is simply a case which you are supposed not to see all sides of."