“Mr. Price,” said Mary North, with pale, courageous lips, “you must stop your father.”
Cyrus opened his weak mouth to ask an explanation, but Gussie rushed in.
“You are quite right, ma'am. Cyrus worries so about it (of course we know what you refer to). And Cyrus says it ought to be checked immediately, to save the old gentleman!”
“You must stop him,” said Mary North, “for my mother's sake.”
“Well—” Cyrus began.
“Have you cautioned your mother?” Gussie demanded.
“Yes,” Miss North said, briefly. To talk to this woman of her mother made her wince, but it had to be done. “Will you speak to your father, Mr. Price?”
“Well, I—”
“Of course he will!” Gussie broke in; “Cyrus, he is in the cabin now.”
“Well, to-morrow I—” Cyrus got up and sidled towards the door. “Anyhow, I don't believe he's thinking of such a thing.”