"Yes, I see you understand," he cried, bitterly.
"That's because you've seen others the same way.
God help me," he went on, striking his forehead with his open hand, "that young fool of a Bradbury told me you refused him only yesterday! He was proud of even rejection from you! And there's Norbert--and half a dozen others, perhaps, already, since you've been here." He flung out his arms in ludicrous, savage despair."And here am I--""Ah yes," she cut him off, "it is of yourself that you want to speak, after all--not of me!""Look here," he vociferated; "are you going to marry that Joe Louden? I want to know whether you are or not.He gave me this--and this to-day!" He touched his bandaged hand and plastered forehead."He ran into me--over me--for nothing, when I was not on my guard; struck me down--stamped on me--"She turned upon him, cheeks aflame, eyes sparkling and dry.
"Mr.Bantry," she cried, "he did a good thing!
And now I want you to go home.I want you to go home and try if you can discover anything in yourself that is worthy of Mamie and of what she showed herself to be this morning! If you can, you will have found something that I could like!"She went rapidly toward the house, and he was senseless enough to follow, babbling: "What do you think I'm made of? You trample on me--as he did! I can't bear everything; I tell you--"But she lifted her hand with such imperious will that he stopped short.Then, through the window of the sick-room came--clearly the querulous voice: