“Your son has told me the whole story, Mr. Forge. I understand perfectly.”
Johnathan was pitying himself too much in this closing phase of his domestic drama to interpret her sentiment correctly. He assumed that Madelaine was sympathizing with him against Nathan.
“He always was headstrong,” began Johnathan promptly. “Went right along demanding his own way even as a beardless boy that couldn’t——”
“Pardon, Mr. Forge. You misunderstood. I said your son has told me the whole story and therefore I recognize exactly where the blame lies.”
Johnathan gaped for a moment. There was no mistaking her calm hostility. He turned to his son.
“Nathan!—For God’s sake, don’t go!—Don’t desert me now when I’ve just found you again. I never deserted you, Nathan; for twenty-five years I did my duty——”
It was awkward to have his father suddenly begin to act so. Other customers had entered the shop and were beholding. Madelaine read on her lover’s face the distress he was seeking a way to ameliorate, somehow. Her indignation rose.
“Really, Mr. Forge, is it quite fair to appeal to Nathan so? Because I’ve been under the impression you did desert him—and left him to face a somewhat cruel set of circumstances.”
“What do you know about it?” snapped Johnathan. “You’re a stranger to us Forges——”
“Father! That’ll be enough of addressing Miss Theddon so, please! And I suggest we find a place less public where we may talk.”