She stole a glance at him from under her long lashes. He was studying the carpet, apparently quite lost to the enormity of his conduct. “You have heard their side of the story, Miss Emory. I want you to hear mine. It's only fair, isn't it? You have heard that my father is an ex-convict?”
“Yes,” with a tinge of regret.
“That he is a murderer?” plunging ahead mercilessly.
“Yes.”
“And this is influencing you?”
“I suppose it is,” helplessly. “It would naturally. It was a great shock to us all.”
“Yes,” agreed Dan, “I can understand, I think, just how you must look at it.”
“We are very, very sorry for you, Mr. Oakley. I want to explain my manner last night. The whole situation was so excessively awkward. I am sure you must have felt it.”
“I did,” shortly.
“Oh, dear, I hope you didn't think me unkind!”