“It's very unusual, very.”
“And you had rather I slow up on my visits?”
“I leave it entirely with you, as I said before. I don't understand and I am not satisfied. I—really it may be as well for you to keep away. But do whatever you think proper.”
“You put it to me in such shape that there is just one thing I can do, and that is keep away and stay away.”
“My dear boy, I——”
Philip cut him short by turning on his heel. “You have no objection to my calling this afternoon?”
“Oh, no. Not at all. It's right that you should.”
“Thank you,” said Philip, and took himself off, leaving Mr. Gerard puffing and agitated in the door of his office.
Philip was glad that he had carried off the honors of the interview where calmness and dispassion were involved, but he knew that the triumph was a small one, and that Mr. Gerard's turn would come later, when he himself could but compress his lips and suffer.
He was thinking of this and bitter revolt was in his heart when he presented himself to Barbara. His face told plainly what he felt. Indeed, it was so apparent that she silently followed him into the parlor.