“What do you mean by that?” demanded John angrily.
“I mean,” answered David undisturbedly, “that there was nothing—look here, to be plain, did you get into any flirtation down there? Did you do anything that Phil might construe into a slight against his sister?”
“If you don’t shut up I’ll smash you,” John threatened.
“By which I presume you mean me to understand that there was nothing of the sort? Well, the next question is, does Phil think there was anything?”
John’s wrath gave way to thoughtfulness. Finally he said:
“I can’t see how he could, Davy, honestly. There was not a thing—— Look here, Davy, I asked his sister to marry me and she refused. There was nothing wrong with that, was there?”
“Nothing, I should say, except her decision,” answered David. “I’m sorry she turned you down, old man, if you really care for the girl. But, to tell the truth, it seems to me you’re rather fortunate not to marry into such a fire-eating family. I suppose the girl couldn’t have told Phil any yarns that—er——”
“David!”
“Oh, well, I don’t know her, of course. Women are damned strange, though, just the same. I’ve got two sisters of my own, if you remember.” He smoked in silence awhile and John sat scowling crossly at him through the smoke. Then, “Well, I give it up, Johnnie. Let him alone; maybe he’ll have the grace to apologize and explain things.”
“He may apologize until he’s blue in the face,” said John wrathfully, “for all I care. But I would like to know what in thunder it all means!”