“Sybil invited him. I may say he has asked Sybil to make one of the yacht party. I absolutely forbade it.”
“But, Heavens! What’s wrong with the man?”
“He has a bad reputation.”
“Has he, indeed!”
“And I wish my wife to associate with him as little as possible. And I should advise you to forbid Ruth to see more of him than she can help.”
Kirk laughed. The idea struck him as comic.
“My good man, I don’t forbid Ruth to do things.”
Bailey, objecting to being called any one’s good man, especially Kirk’s, permitted his temper to get the better of him.
“Then you should,” he snapped. “I have no wish to quarrel with you. I came in here in a friendly spirit to warn you; but I must say that for a man who married a girl, as you married Ruth, in direct opposition to the wishes of her family, you take a curious view of your obligations. Ruth has always been a headstrong, impulsive girl, and it is for you to see that she is protected from herself. If you are indifferent to her welfare, then all I can say is that you should not have married her. You appear to think otherwise. Good afternoon.”
He stalked out of the studio, leaving Kirk uncomfortably conscious that he had had the worst of the argument. Bailey had been officious, no doubt, and his pompous mode of expression was not soothing, but there was no doubt that he had had right on his side.