"Leave the room!" he ordered. "Go away from us! Just you hope that's a lie about Monty, that's all!"
"Sit down!" she repeated. "I admit I am a little previous. The story is unconfirmed yet. Sit down and be sensible! Something of the sort will happen to all of you unless you three men get religion!"
But Will began to pace the floor noisily, stopping to glare at her each time he turned.
"Is there any sense in protracting the scene?" asked Fred.
"No," she admitted. "I see you are too hot-headed to be reasoned with. But it makes little difference! Fever—animals—climate—sun—flood—accident—natives—there are excuses in plenty—explanations by the dozen! I will say good night, then—and good-by!"
"Yes, good-by!" growled Will, facing her with his back to the stairs.
"You take us for men with a price, do you?"
"All men have a price," she smiled bitterly. "Only it is no use offering flowers to pigs! We must treat pigs another way—pigs, and young fools! And fools old enough to know better!" she added with a nod toward Fred, who bowed to her in mock abasement—too politely, I thought.
Will got out of her way and she went up-stairs with the manner of an empress taking leave of subjects. Fred swept her food and wine from the table and stowed it in a corner, and we sat down at the table again.
"The whole thing's getting ridiculous." he said.
"Why don't we hunt up some official in the morning," I proposed, "and simply expose her?"