His frowning face gazed down at Jane; there was on it now nothing to fascinate her; instead, his gaze inspired terror.
“We—we said nothing else,” she stammered.
“Say what you like. What is it to me? I am a man, and the clatter of women’s tongues is no concern of mine.”
He strode to the door. From over his shoulder he said, “What I shall do with you I have not yet decided. If Tolla is interested, tell her that.”
“Tako, let me—I mean you do not understand—”
But he was gone. Jane sat trembling. A sense of defeat was on her. Worse than that, she felt that she had done us all immeasurable harm. Tako’s anger might react upon Don and me. As a matter of fact, if it did he concealed it, for we saw no change in his attitude.
Tolla rejoined Jane within a moment. If Tako spoke to her outside Jane did not know it. But she was at once aware that the other girl had been listening; Tolla’s face was white and grim. She came in, busied herself silently about the room.
Jane turned from the window. “You heard us, Tolla?”
“Yes, I heard you! You with your crooked look staring at him—”
“Why, Tolla, I did not!”