“Well, he's a decent sort and a clever fellow,” began Larry.
“Now, Larry, you may as well cut that 'decent sort,' 'clever fellow' stuff right out. I want to know your mind. Would you like to see Ernest Switzer have Kathleen, or not?”
“Would you?” retorted her brother.
“No. I would not,” emphatically said Nora.
“Why not?”
“To tell the truth, ever since that concert night I feel I can't trust him. He is different from us. He is no real Canadian. He is a German.”
“Well, Nora, you amaze me,” said Larry. “What supreme nonsense you are talking! You have got that stuff of Romayne's into your mind. The war bug has bitten you too. For Heaven's sake be reasonable. If you object to Ernest because of his race, I am ashamed of you and have no sympathy with you.”
“Not because of his race,” said Nora, “though, Larry, let me tell you he hates Britain. I was close to him that night, and hate looked out of his eyes. But let that pass. I have seen Ernest with 'his women' as he calls them, and, Larry, I can't bear to think of our Kathleen being treated as he treats his mother and sister.”
“Now, Nora, let us be reasonable. Let us look at this fairly,” began Larry.
“Oh, Larry! stop or I shall be biting the furniture next. When you assume that judicial air of yours I want to swear. Answer me. Do you want him to marry Kathleen? Yes or no.”