"Blast you, I believe it _was_ some woman," she heard Masters say in a maudlin tone, "and that’s why you are so anxious to hurry us away. Oh, I’m onto you. George Wilson told me you were hanging round the girl you refused to introduce me to, and for all I know—" "That’s no business of yours," Chester retorted, in a tone of sudden fury. "I’ve stood this about as long as I’m going to, Masters, even if you are drunk and don’t know what you are about. Peterkin, you’d better take your friend home; my house is not a bar-room, and my affairs are my own. I want that understood." "Look here, Masters," a new voice broke in, "you _are_ going too far, and I’m not going to stand for it. Chester’s right. When you are full you are the most unreasonable man alive. This is my turnout at the door—come on, or I’ll leave you to walk to Springtown." "Well, I’ll go all right," threatened Masters, "but I am not done yet. I’ll see you again, my boy. What they used to say in college is true; you won’t tote fair. You are for number one every time, and would sacrifice a friend for your own interests at the drop of a hat." "Take him on, take him on!" cried Chester. "Oh, I’m going all right!" growled Masters. "And I’m not drunk either. My judgment of you is sober-headed enough. You—" They were coming through the hall to gain the door, and Ann quickly concealed herself behind one of the tall Corinthian columns that supported the massive, projecting roof of the veranda. She was standing well in the shadow when Masters, drawn forcibly by his friend, staggered limply out and down the steps. Langdon followed to the edge of the veranda, and stood there, frowning sullenly in the light from the window. He was pale and haggard, his lip quivering in the rage he was trying to control as he watched Peterkin half lifting and almost roughly shoving Masters into the vehicle. "The puppy!" Ann heard him muttering. "I ought to have slapped his meddlesome mouth." Several minutes passed. Ann scarcely dared to breathe freely, so close was she to the young planter. Masters was now in the buggy, leaning forward, his head lolling over the dashboard, and Peterkin was getting in beside him. The next moment the impatient horses had turned around and were off down the drive in a brisk trot. "Yes, I ought to have kicked the meddling devil out and been done with it!" Ann heard Langdon say. "She, no doubt, has heard all the racket and been scared to death all this time, poor little thing!" Chester was on the point of turning into the hall when a step sounded at the corner of the house nearest the negro quarter, and a short, portly figure emerged into the light. "Marse Langdon, you dar?" a voice sounded. "Yes, Aunt Maria." The young planter spoke with ill-disguised impatience. "What is it?"