"You SHALL stay. We're going to have a talk and settle things once for all."
"See? He's going to settle me."
"Nonsense. I mean—"
"He's liable to harm me." Lilas's words were directed as an appeal to the others, but her eyes mocked Hammon. "Jim, dear, you won't leave me alone?"
Jimmy, not relishing in the least this attempt to goad the millionaire, remained silent, but no words from him were needed.
"We've got to have an understanding, right now," stormed Hammon, "so clear 'em out. Clear 'em out, I say."
Lilas rose swiftly with a complete change of manner; she was smiling no longer; her face was sinister.
"Very well," she agreed. "To-night. Why not? But I want Lorelei to stay and—hear. Yes."
"No, I don't want her."
"I do." Lilas's bad temper flared up promptly from the hot coals of a spiteful drunken stubbornness. "She'll stay till you go, or else I'll put you out too. I don't trust you." She laughed disagreeably.