“‘I hardly like to interfere in what isn’t really my affair at all, but as you’ve asked me I’ll say that if Ruth were my daughter I should forbid him the farm.’ “‘That clinches it,’ said Amos, bringing his hand down on the table. ‘We’ll have the girl in and tell it her straight away. You’ve voiced my own feelings, sir, and I’m grateful to you.’ “Here Mrs. Pennistan began to cry. “‘My poor Ruth! and what if she’s fond of the boy?’ “‘Better for her to shed a dozen tears for him now than a hundred thousand in years to come. I’ll call her in.’ “She came, wiping her hands on her blue apron. “‘Father, the butter’ll spoil.’ “‘Never mind the butter. Now listen here, my girl, we’ve been talking about you, your mother and I, and we’ve decided that you and Rawdon have seen more of each other than is good for you. So I’m going to tell him that he’s to keep over at his own place in the future, and I expect you to keep over here; that is, I won’t have you slipping out and meeting that young good-for-nothing when the fancy takes you.’ “What a gentleman he is, I thought to myself, to have kept my name out of it. “I looked at Ruth, wondering what she would do, and hoping, yes, hoping that she would rebel. “‘Very well, dad,’ was all she said, and she looked perfectly composed, and was not even twisting her apron as she stood there before the court of justice. “I think Amos was a little surprised, a little disappointed, at her compliance. “‘You understand?’ he said, trying to emphasise the point which he had already “‘I understand, dad,’ she said, still in that quiet and perfectly respectful voice. “‘There’s a good girl,’ said Mrs. Pennistan, and she got up and kissed her daughter, who submitted passively. “‘Now perhaps Mr. Malory’ll lend me a hand with the butter, or it’ll spoil,’ said Ruth, looking at me, and I followed her out to the dairy, expecting, I must confess, that she would turn upon me and rend me. But she remained severely practical as she set me to my task. “I could bear it no longer. “‘Ruth,’ I said, ‘I must be honest with you, even though it makes you angry. Your father asked my advice in this business, and I gave it him.’ “‘You shouldn’t stop,’ she said, ‘the butter’ll never set properly.’ “I returned to my churn. “‘But, Ruth, do you understand what I say? I am partly responsible for Westmacott’s dismissal.’ “Her hand and arm continued their rotary movement, but she turned her large eyes upon me. “‘Why?’ she inquired, with disconcerting simplicity. “‘I don’t like him,’ I muttered. ‘How could I live here, knowing you married to a man I dislike and mistrust?’ “To my surprise she said no more, but bent to her work, and I saw a great blush like a wave creep slowly over her half hidden face and down where her unfastened dress revealed her throat. “‘Ruth,’ I said humbly, ‘are you angry with me?’ “I heard a ‘No,’ that glided out with her breath. “‘I hope you don’t care for him too much? He isn’t worthy of you.’