“Yer Ma and Pa wanner see you happy, don’t they? And they know Nat ain’t doin’ it. Then what’s the answer? Besides, I can get along with your Pa a lot better’n Nat. Yer Pa and me speak the same language!”
Another lunge of the couch springs.
“Treat me rough, kid!” cried the girl softly. “Treat me rough enough and—I might!”
Nathan reached up and pulled on the light.
II
Milly shrieked. Plumb sat stunned. He blinked in the abrupt illumination like an imbecile.
Nathan arose to his full height. He viewed the two. He drew a long breath for strength, poise and self-control. Then he leaned back against the table and regarded them gravely.
Milly sat up on the edge of the sofa. Her hair was down and her bodice open. Hairpins dropped on the hard, polished floor at her feet.
“Where’d you come from?” she cried when she could speak.
“This chair! I’ve been sitting here since nine o’clock.”