Part 18 (1/2)
”What fellow?” said Philip, ”why, this one that is s.h.i.+llyshallying with you night after night.”
”You can never mean your own cousin, Philip?” said Kate.
”More's the pity if he is my cousin, but he's no fit company for you.”
”I'm sure the gentleman is polite enough.”
”So's the devil himself.”
”He can behave and keep his temper, anyway.”
”Then it's the only thing he can keep. He can't keep his character or his credit or his honor, and you should not encourage him.”
Kate's under lip began to show the inner half. ”Who says I encourage him?”
”I do.”
”What right have you?”
”Haven't I seen you with my own eyes?”
Kate grew defiant. ”Well, and what if you have?”
”Then you are a jade and a coquette.”
The word hissed out like steam from a kettle. Kate saw it coming and took it full in the face. She felt an impulse to scream with laughter, so she seized her opportunity and cried.
Philip's temper began to ebb. ”That man would be a poor bargain, Kate, if he were twenty times the heir of Ballawhaine. Can't you gather from his conversation what his life and companions are? Of course it's nothing to me, Kate----”
”No, it's nothing to you,” whimpered Kate, from behind both hands.
”I've no right----”
”Of course not; you've no right,” said Kate, and she stole a look sideways.
”Only----”
Philip did not see the glance that came from the corner of Kate's eye.
”When a girl forgets a manly fellow, who happens to be abroad, for the first rascal that comes along with his dirty lands--”
Down went the hands with an impatient fling. ”What are his lands to me?”
”Then it's my duty as a friend----”
”Duty indeed! Just what every old busybody says.”
Philip gripped her wrist. ”Listen to me. If you don't send this man packing----”
”You are hurting me. Let go my arm.”
Philip flung it aside and said, ”What do I care?”