‘Jasper,’ said he, ‘some men look on a pool and see nothing but water. I put my head in, open my eyes, and see what is at the bottom. That girl did not come here for nothing. I put my head under water and opened my eyes.’
‘Well?’ said Jasper, with an effort controlling his irritation.
‘Well! I saw it all under the surface. I saw you. She came here because she was curious to see the factory and the house, and to know if all was as good as you had bragged about. I gave her a curt dismissal; I do not want a daughter-in-law thrusting her feet into my shoes till I cast them off for ever.’
Jasper started to his feet and upset his chair. He was very angry. ‘You utterly wrong her,’ he said. ‘You open your eyes in mud, and see only dirt. Miss Jordan came here out of kindness towards me, whom she dislikes and despises in her heart.’
Mr. Babb chuckled.
‘Well, I won’t say that you have not acted wisely. Morwell will go to that girl, and it is a pretty property.’
‘I beg your pardon, you are wrong. It is left to the second—Eve.’
‘So, so! It goes to Eve! That is why the elder girl came here, to see if she could fit herself into Owlacombe.’
Jasper’s face burnt, and the muscles of his head and neck quivered, but he said nothing. He dared not trust himself to speak. He had all his life practised self-control, but he never needed it more than at this moment.