'Oh, he thinks it is his duty, now father's gone, to keep an eye on us.' 'I suppose, if I were to square accounts, as the other day'— 'He'd have an apoplexy. For goodness' sake don't.' 'I say, why did you go with Pip Beamish when you would not go with me?' 'I did not go with Beamish. He came with me because I hired him. Tell me what took you to Red Wings? Had you an account to serve there?' Mark became grave. He fidgeted on his seat. He was an honest, open-hearted fellow, and disliked prevarication, but there was hesitation, there was evasion in his reply. 'I have business of all sorts with all kinds of people.' 'That is no answer. I want to know why you went to the mill to see Kainie.' Mark rested his chin in his hand and considered. 'I don't mind saying so much,' he answered, 'but let it be between us alone. There is a sort of a tie between her and me—a sort of a tie, you know.' 'I know nothing.' 'I can't give you particulars. It's all right,—if you knew, you would say so too,—but I can't tell you more about it; and it's a tie can't be got rid of.' Further explanation was interrupted, for a head and pair of shoulders appeared in front between the curtains. 'Oh! you, Runham—and that Cheap Jack girl! Which is it to be—she or Kainie? It shall not be both.' Pip Beamish was there, glowering at Mark from under his bushy eyebrows. 'Take care!' said Beamish, thrusting a long arm into the van. 'Take care what you are about. If you hurt one hair of the head of Kainie, I'll shoot you through the heart. I've time on my hands now. I'm turned out of my mill by the Commissioners, and can choose my occasion. I shall watch you. One or other—leave my Kainie alone and stick to _her_.' He indicated Zita with one hand. 'Pip,' said Mark, flushing very red, 'do not talk nonsense!' 'Nonsense?' repeated Beamish; 'that is how you rich men treat these matters—sport and nonsense; but to us it is heartbreak and despair. What have I but my one ewe lamb? I have been expelled my mill because you Commissioners think I'm a dangerous chap. You ain't far wrong there. I'm dangerous to such as you who are evil-doers. Take care, you Cheap Jack girl, and make not yourself cheap to such as Runham. He is free in his wealth to do as he pleases. If he be the ruin of you, trusting in him, will he lose his Commissioner's place? If he destroy my happiness by bringing harm on my Kainie, will the laws touch him? I may not take a straw from his stables, but he may rob me of my Kainie. He is rich—I am poor.' 'Pip! you are the man I desire to see. I will speak to you of this matter. Judge nothing before you hear me; and you, Zita, do not you place any weight on his words—they are bitter and false.'