IV
Without a sound she startlingly appeared in the room.
"What's the matter?" she inquired, with her irritating assumption of
tranquillity.
"You know what's the matter."
"I wish you wouldn't scream like a baby," she said.
"You know I want to speak to you, and you're keeping out of the way on
purpose."
Rachel said--
"Look here, Louis! Do you want me to leave the house altogether?"
He thought--
"What is she saying? We've only been married a few weeks. This is
getting serious."
Aloud he answered--
"Of course I don't want you to leave the house."
"Well, then, don't say any more. Because if you do, I shall. I've
heard all I want to hear. There are some things I can bear, and some I
can't bear."
"If you don't listen--!" he exclaimed. "I'm warning you!"
She glanced at the thief in him, and at the coward penitent of the
night, with the most desolating disdain, and left the room. That was
her answer to his warning.
"All right, my girl! All right!" he said to himself, when she had
gone, pulling together his self-esteem, his self-pity, and his
masculinity. "You'll regret this. You see if you don't. As to leaving
the house, we shall see who'll leave the house.
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