Part 17 (1/2)
”But what were you doing over there?” demanded Huntington.
”Riding,” she said calmly, perhaps a little defiantly.
”Yes, I know that. But on his land?”
”Did you ever tell me anything about that?” she retorted.
”No, but--”
”Then how was I to know?”
”But you've heard--”
”Yes, I heard some things at the post-office. You've told me nothing.”
Huntington's face reddened angrily.
”Never mind that now!” cried Claire sharply, sending another warning look at Seth. ”Go on, dear!”
Marion went on, very carefully. With Claire alone she might have been more frank and confiding, but Seth's belligerent att.i.tude had begun to stir resentment in her.
”He thought I had a bad sprain. He was annoyed; he didn't take any pains to conceal that from me. But he lifted me into the saddle, and rode with me to his stable, and told one of his men to hitch up a team, and drive me home. That would have been--all right, and he had no intention--until--something I said--I must have been hysterical--something made him angry, and he--said he would drive me home himself.”
”And you let him!” cried Claire reproachfully.
”No, I didn't _let_ him. He did it in spite of all I could do. I pleaded with him, I tried every way to stop him. Once I started to leap out of the trap. But he caught me. He laughed at me But he was very angry too; he scolded me dreadfully. Said I needed to be punished for--I don't know what. He hates women, and says we're always meddling in men's affairs. It served me right, of course. And please remember it was all my fault--truly!”
”Did he say anything about making peace?” asked Claire.
”No. That was all mine. I had to do something quickly. You know that.”
”But what did he say about me?” growled Huntington, who was far from satisfied, and still suspicious.
”Not much. Oh, yes!” she added impulsively. ”He said you and he could probably come to an understanding quickly enough if--”
She paused, embarra.s.sed.
”If what?” demanded Huntington.
”That was only because he dislikes women, I think. He said--if Claire--Mrs. Huntington, he said,--would let you alone.”
”I?” cried Claire. It was almost a scream of astonishment and indignation.
”I'll show him!” shouted Huntington. ”He'd better keep her name out of it, or I'll--”
”I haven't done anything!” wailed Claire.
”I'll make him pay for that!” bellowed Huntington, bringing his fist down on the mantel.
”You mustn't blame him!” protested Marion hastily. ”He was angry at me, and I don't think he's as bad as you think he is.”