Part 29 (1/2)
The Prophet had not opened his mouth to give out even one text. He had not opened his mouth, either, to give his name; the writ designated him merely by his sobriquet. But there was a queer little wrinkle at each corner of that closed mouth.
CHAPTER XX
NO STRAW FOR THE BRICKS
Mr. Harnden banged his pulpy fist on the board at which so he had declared, Tasper Britt was to sit.
”I have ruled a happy home by love in the past. Don't force me to rule it otherwise now.”
He was obliged to lower his eyes to a level at last because his neck ached. He was forced to turn those eyes in his daughter's direction, for her gaze was of that compelling quality which causes the object of regard to return the scrutiny.
”I tell you, I'm not lowering myself by taking in boarders,” the father insisted. ”I have become tied up in a business way with my friend Britt.
We need to be in conference right along. They're going to tear down his house. Shall I let it be said that I left a friend ahungered and without a roof? Shall--”
”Father, I'm no longer patient enough to listen to any more of that nonsense,” said Vona.
”But it isn't nonsense,” put in the mother. ”Poor Tasper is left without a home. Files's vittles have nigh killed him. He was always used to home cooking. He--”
”Please! Please!” protested the girl, impatiently. ”We're three grown-ups. Let's be honest with one another. I, at least, have been honest--ever since I declared myself under this roof last winter.”
”If you're bound to put your father's and your mother's close friends.h.i.+p for a man strictly on the business basis, we'll have it that way,”
agreed Mr. Harnden, trying to straightedge his little bunghole of a mouth and failing.
”Very well, father! We shall get along better. I'm not in any position to dictate in our home--”
”Well, I should say not!” exploded the master.
”But I have worked and turned in my money to help support it, and I have my personal rights here.”
Mr. Harnden had more success in arranging the expression he a.s.sumed then; he looked hurt; he had been very successful with that expression in the past. ”Any fa.r.s.eeing man has his ups and downs, Vona. Is it kind to twit your father--”
She protested more impatiently still. ”I am simply presenting the business side of the matter. I say, I have earned some rights to be comfortable in my own home. On the plea of friends.h.i.+p for a man whom I detest, you are proposing to destroy that comfort. Is your friends.h.i.+p for that man greater than your love for your daughter?”
Mr. Harnden rose and stuck out his frontal convexity and wagged a forefinger. ”Now you're getting off the question of business--just as you accused me of getting off it!” He slapped his breast. ”I'm a business man these days. I'm no longer a man with visions, needing a daughter's sacrifices, like you have twitted me of being. Keep still!
I'm talking!” he squealed. He was displaying more of the new and c.o.c.ky demeanor that had been his for some time. He had been especially set up for a few days prior to his announcement that Tasper Britt was coming into the Harnden home as lodger and guest at table. ”Business it is!
Britt will pay board enough, seeing that he has come to my--_my_ terms, so that your mother can keep a hired girl for the first time in her life. Are you so selfish as to want to have your mother--my wife--go on potwalloping in the kitchen for the rest of her days? If that's so, you'll find that my pride will override your selfishness.”
”Father, I will stay at home and do all the work, if you'll keep our home from being desecrated by that man!”
Mr. Harnden reared his crest and advanced one foot. ”I have raised my daughter to be a lady and will keep her so! I'm now in a position to do it without any of her help.”
Vona stood up then. But not to fling angry retort at her father! She knew that she was able to conquer the raging self that was urging her to tell both of them what she thought of their idiotic persistency in backing the attentions of Britt. Being victor over herself in that conflict with self where so many fail, she felt courage to battle in another quarter. Since Frank had been penned up where he could not fight, she had felt that she was the champion for their mutual interests, and she was resolved to keep on valiantly. ”Father, you know how I stand in the matter of Frank Vaniman.”
”I have broken your engagement with that jailbird.”
”Vona, I have told you repeatedly that I will never consent to your marrying that man,” shrilled Mrs. Harnden. ”What does the Bible say about obeying your parents?”
The girl was tensely suppressing her emotions. ”The outsiders merely know that I am engaged to marry him. But both of you know that I am married to him.”