“Can I go in to see her?”
Mrs. McGee hesitated.
“I’ll tell her it’s you that’s wantin’ to say her.”
She set out to do this, but crafty Barlow followed her; and when she opened the girl’s door he was right behind her, and pushed on in without asking permission to enter.
Mrs. McGee retreated with as good grace as she could, but hovered in the hall, to be near if needed. She did not trust Lieutenant Barlow, and she was ready to follow her suspicions with sharp words and sharp deeds if they seemed to be needed.
The girl retreated across the room when she saw who her caller was.
“Come, now, don’t be foolish, May!” said Barlow, advancing upon her in the corner to which she had fled.
She stared at him. She could not retreat farther.
“What is it you want now?” she asked doggedly.
“You!”