Part 32 (1/2)
”But, surely, after all Miss Fraser has done for you,” he began in perplexity.
Faith flushed hotly.
”I know, but--all the same--I want her to go.” He shrugged his shoulders.
”Very well--tell her so.”
”I have told her,” said Faith tersely.
”Well?”
”She said that she came here because you asked her. She said that you were master of the house and she would only go if you said you wished it.”
She stopped, her breath coming fast. What was he going to say?
Her strained eyes saw the wave of colour that rushed to his face, and her heart contracted with bitter jealousy.
”I am sorry,” Forrester said gently. ”But it is quite impossible. After all that has happened, I could never ask Miss Fraser to leave the house ... even if I wished it.”
”You mean that you don't wish it?” He was amazed at the intensity of her question. He could not understand the situation at all, but something in it vaguely irritated him.
”Certainly I do not wish her to go,” he said.
Faith turned to the door. Her childish face was hard and determined.
Forrester rose to his feet vaguely uneasy.
”Faith, come here.”
She stopped, but did not turn.
”Come here, I said, Faith.”
”Well?” She faced him now.
”Do you want me to understand that you really wish Peg to go?” he asked deliberately.
It was the first time since Peg had lived with them that she had ever heard him speak of her friend by her Christian name, and Faith winced as if he had hurt her, but she answered clearly.
”Yes.”
”Why?” His critical eyes searched her face.
She flushed and stammered.
”Why? Oh, well ... you see....”
He made an impatient gesture.
”If you have no real reason it's absurd to expect me to ask her to leave the house. If there is a reason....” He paused. ”Faith, tell me the reason.”