Rivett's teeth met under the walrus mustache, parted, met, and ground together; but his son saw only the jaw muscles move slightly in the lean face.
"Silvette is a—an interesting young girl," said Rivett with an effort; "but she is one of my employees, and not the sort of woman I wish my son to marry."
"So she says," observed Jack quietly.
"Who says what?"
"Silvette said exactly what you have just said—that she is your employee, and her sense of honor will not permit her to listen to me."
"Oh! ... She said that, did she? ... Oh! ... Did she tell you to tell me her answer?"
"No; she told me that if I uttered one word on the subject to you, she would leave your service in twenty-four hours."
His father's eyes fairly bored into him like augers.
"And yet you've done it?"
"I've taken the chance—yes."