It fired my blood to hear him speak of my James like that.
'Begging your pardon, sir, but he's nothing of the kind. And if that's the way you're going to speak of my husband I'd rather say what I have to say before the ladies.'
'I dare say you would; but you won't. You will come into my own room, Mrs. Merrett.'
'Excuse me, sir, but I will not. You can tell me just as well here as anywhere what it is you've done with my husband.'
CHAPTER XIII
[WHO'S THAT CALLING?]
I do believe, if we'd been alone, he would have struck me. As it was, I'm sure he would have liked to. That I should dare to speak to him like that--him so big, and me so small, and him a great gentleman, and me just nothing and nobody--it did put his back up. He glared as if he would have liked to eat me. And yet, all the while, I knew that somewhere inside of him he was afraid of me. It mayn't sound sense, I own; but I know what I mean if I can't just say it.
The elder lady came and put her hand upon his arm.
'Douglas, why do you look at her like that? She's only a child.'
He spoke, as it might be, between his gritted teeth.