There was a noise within of a door opening, and Hazel's voice cried: 'I wouldna go. It's a tramp, likely.' Then Reddin laughed, and Edward clenched his hands in rage at the easy self-confidence of him. The bolt was drawn back, and Reddin stood in the doorway, outlined by pale light. 'Who is it?' he asked in rather a jovial tone. He felt at peace with the world now Hazel was here. 'Beast!' Edward said tersely. 'Just come in a minute, my lad, and let's have a look at you. People don't call me names twice.' Hazel had heard Edward's voice. She ran to the door, and the apple-green gown rustled about her. 'Ed'ard! Ed'ard! Dunna go for to miscall him! He'll hurt 'ee! He's stronger'n you. Do 'ee go back, Ed'ard!' 'Never! till you come, too.' 'I like that,' said Reddin. 'Can't you see she's got my gown on her back? She's mine. She was never yours.' He looked meaningly and triumphantly at Edward. 'Oh, dunna, Jack! What for do you go to shame me?' said Hazel, twisting her hands. Edward took no notice of her. 'I don't know what evil means you used, or how you brought the poor child here,' he said, controlling himself with an effort. 'But you have tried to rob me, and you have insulted her--' 'Oh, don't come here talking like an injured husband,' Reddin said; 'you know you aren't her husband.' 'Keep your foul mouth shut before innocence! To try and rob a poor child of her freedom, of her soul--' Hazel wondered at him. His eyes darkened so upon Reddin, his face was so powerful, irradiated with love and anger. 'So young!' he went on--'so young, and as wild as a little bird. How could anyone help letting her take her own way? She wanted to go free in the woods. I let her; and there you were like a sneaking wolf.' He threw a look at Hazel so full of wistful tenderness that she flung the green skirt over her head and sobbed. 'Stow it, can't you?' said Reddin. 'If you want a fight, say so; but don't preach all night.' His tone was injured. He felt that he had been particularly considerate to Edward in sending him the letter. Also, he was convinced that he had only taken what Edward did not want. That Edward could love Hazel was beyond his comprehension. If a man loved a woman, he possessed her, took his pleasure of her. Love that was abnegation was to his idea impossible. So that, now, when Edward spoke of his love, Reddin simply thought he was posing. 'Why didn't you let her be?' 'Women don't want to be let be,' said Reddin with a very unpleasant laugh. 'Oh! stop talking about me as if I wunna here!' cried Hazel. 'If she loved you, I'd say nothing,' Edward went on, staring at Reddin fixedly. 'The fact that I'm her husband would not have counted with me, if you'd loved her and she you.' 'A fine pastor!' 'But you don't. You only wanted--Oh! you make me sick!' 'Indeed! Well, I'm man enough to take what I want; you're not.'