Both Jane and Barney Bill closed round him. Jane clutched his arm. "Come away. Do come away."
"Steady now, Silas," implored Barney Bill. "You see it's no use. I told you so. Come along."
"Leave me alone," shouted Finn, casting them off. "What have I to do with you? It is that young man there who defies God and me."
"Mr. Finn," said Paul, very erect, "if I have hurt your feelings I am sorry. But I fight this election. That's final. The choice no longer rests with me. I'm the instrument of my party. I desire to be courteous in every way, but you must see that it would be useless to prolong this discussion." And he moved to the door.
"Come away now, for Heaven's sake. Can't you realize it's no good?" said Jane, white to the lips.
Silas Finn again cast her off and railed and raved at her. "I will not go away," he cried in wild passion. "I will not allow my own son to raise an impious hand against the Almighty."
"Lor' lumme!" gasped Barney Bill, dropping his hat. "He's done it."
There was a silence. Silas Finn stood shaking in the middle of the room, the sweat streaming down his forehead.
Paul turned at the door and walked slowly up to him. "Your son? What do you mean?"
Jane, with wringing hands and tense, uplifted face, said in a queer cracked voice: "He promised us not to speak. He has broken his promise."