Alone of the lot of protests, that of Mrs. Festus Willard gained a response from Hal.
"You're treating her very harshly, Hal."
"We're giving the facts, Lady Jinny."
"Are they the facts? All the facts?"
"So far as human eyes could see them."
"Men's eyes don't see very far where a woman is concerned. She's very young and headstrong, and, Hal, she hasn't had much chance, you know. She's Elias Pierce's daughter."
"Thus having every chance, one would suppose."
"Every chance of having everything. Very little chance of being anything."
There was a pause. Then: "Very well, Hal, I know I can trust you to do what you believe right, at least. That's a good deal. Festus tells me to let you alone. He says that you must fight your own fight in your own way. That's the whole principle of salvation in Festus's creed."
"Not a bad one," said Hal. "I'm not particularly liking to do this, you know, Lady Jinny."