No doubt he thought he was being quite wise, and was pleased
over his tariff editorials--his funny, funny editorials--his best--to
please you! Ha, ha, ha! How immensely funny!"
"Do you know him?" he asked abruptly.
"I have not the honor of the gentleman's acquaintance. Ah," she rejoined
bitterly, "I see what you mean; it is the old accusation, is it? I am a
woman, and I 'sound the personal note.' I could not resent a cruelty for
the sake of a man I do not know. But let it go. My resentment is personal,
after all, since it is against a man I do know--_you_!"
He leaned toward her because he could not help it. "I'd rather have
resentment from you than nothing."
"Then I will give you nothing," she answered quickly.
"You flout me!" he cried. "That is better than resentment."
"I hate you most, I think," she said with a tremulousness he did not
perceive, "when you say you do not care to go back to Plattville."
"Did I say it?"
"It is in every word, and it is true; you don't care to go back there."
"Yes, it is true; I don't."
"You want to leave the place where you do good; to leave those people who
love you, who were ready to die to avenge your hurt!" she exclaimed
vehemently. "Oh, I say that is shameful!"
"Yes, I know," he returned gravely. "I am ashamed."
"Don't say that!" she cried.
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