"If he wishes—there is no need else."
"How did it happen, Mr. Linden?" she said with a very serious face.
"On this wise, Miss Faith. I, walking home at a rather quick pace, was suddenly 'brought to' as the sailors say, by this shot in my arm. But as for the moment it affected the mind more than the body, I turned and gave chase,—wishing to enquire who had thus favoured me, and why. But the mind alone can only carry one a certain distance, and before I had caught my man I found myself in such danger of fainting that I turned about again, and made the best of my way to the house of Mr. Simlins. The rest you know."
"What did the man run for?"
"There is no thread in my nature that just answers that question," said
Mr. Linden. "I suppose he ran because he was frightened."
"But what should have frightened him?"
"The idea of my displeasure probably," said Mr. Linden smiling. "Have you forgotten my character for cruelty, Miss Faith?"
"But—" said Faith. "Why should he think he had displeased you? He wasn't near you, was he?"
"Why I am not supposed to be one of those amiable people who like to be shot," said Mr. Linden in the same tone.
"But how near was he, Mr. Linden?"