"That will do," he said.
"I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings——" said Holt.
"Then keep quiet."
"But you ought to know what people will say. Someone's got to tell you."
"I don't care what people will say."
"They'll say——"
Stainton advanced. His hands were now at his side, idle, but his face was completely calm.
"Never mind," he said.
"They'll say," concluded Holt, "that you're buying the little girl, and that you've been cheated in the transaction——"
Stainton's hands were raised. They descended heavily upon Holt's shoulders. They plucked Holt from his perch and shook him until his teeth chattered. Then they dropped him, rather gently, into a chair.