"What did you say, Brimbecomb?"
Everett drew his left leg over his right knee deliberately.
"I think the girl pretty enough to make a capital toy for an hour," said he.
Disbelief flooded Shellington's face.
"You're joking! You're making a jest of a sacred thing, Brimbecomb!"
Everett recalled former principles of the boy Horace, and a smile flickered on his lips.
"I can't concede that," said he. "I think with a great man of whom I read once. Deal honestly with men in business, was his maxim, keep a clean record with your fellow citizens; but, as far as strange women are concerned, treat them as you wish. It's a man's privilege to--to lie to them, in fact."
Without looking up, Horace broke in: "Ann has an excellent outlook for happiness, hasn't she?"
"We weren't talking about Ann," snapped Everett. "I was especially thinking of the girl in your home, who belongs leagues beneath where you have placed her. I won't have her there! I think my position is such that I can make certain demands on the family of the woman I'm going to marry."
"To the devil with your position! I wouldn't give a damn for it, and I'll take up your first question, Brimbecomb. You asked me how long I intended to keep those children. This is my answer! As long as they will stay, and longer if I can make them!" His voice rang vibrant with passion. "Don't let your position interfere with what I am doing; for, if you do, Ann, friendship, or anything won't deter me from--"
Brimbecomb rose to his feet and faced the other.
"Threats are not in order," said he.
His deliberate speech made Horace turn upon him.
"I, too, intend to marry!" was his answer. "I intend to marry--Fledra Cronk!"
Brimbecomb ejaculated in anger.
"If you will be a fool," said he, "it's time your friends took a hand in your affairs. I think Governor Vandecar will have something to say about that!"
"No more than you have," warned Horace. "The only regret I have is that Ann has chosen you for her husband. I'm wondering what she would say if I repeated tonight's conversation to her--as to a man lying to a woman."
"She wouldn't believe you," replied Everett.
"And you would deny that you so believed?"
"Yes. I told you it was my right to lie to a woman."