Jude had a moment of doubt as to how he should deal with this foolery. If he were quite sure it was just Joyce's nonsense--but perhaps she had gone crazy. The thought stayed him. Then he considered that in either case he must get the upper hand, and at once. All depended upon that. "Go and set down," he commanded, eyeing the girl as she stood in the open doorway. "You don't 'spose we're going to live with open doors, do you?" There was mastery in the tone, and, to gain her end, the woman resorted to her only course. "Just--for to-night, Jude--just a little way open. I'd choke if I--shut him away so soon--and he so little and--and--all." Fear of what he did not understand roused in Jude a brutish desire to overcome this something that threatened. For a moment he decided to rush from the house and leave the thing to work out its own way; but second thought brought with it his plans, which must be set in motion at once. This attitude of Joyce's was a new obstacle, but if he conquered her, he might overcome it. So by sheer force of weak will he strode over to the woman who defied him, even while she pleaded, and grasped her roughly by the shoulder. In that touch Joyce recognized what all suppressed and deprived womanhood has always felt, and she recoiled to reconnoitre. "You do as I tell you, Joyce, and go and set down. The door is going to be shut and you take that in, plain and quick." He drew her away, and slammed the door with a crash. Joyce went quietly to her chair, but a new and terrible look came into her eyes. Jude sat on the edge of the table, disregarding the spotless cover and soiled dishes. He wanted to be near Joyce in case of an outbreak, and he had much to say. "Are you listening to me?" he asked slowly, as if he were speaking to a child. "Oh! yes," Joyce replied, and her tone reassured him; "I'm listening." "Do you think you've ever taken me in any?" The man's sullen black eyes held the clear, bluish-gray ones. "Oh, never, Jude! You're terribly smart. I've always known that--but please--" the strained eyes turned for the last time toward the door. "Cut that out!" said Jude. "You're just acting. You can't pull me by the nose, but it will pay you to calm down and listen to what I've got to say. I've heard from your father!" "Have you?" The white impassive face did not change expression. "Yes; by thunder! I have; and as it concerns you as much as it does me, you better take more interest. I heard from him more'n two weeks ago. I met him, too, in the south woods, a few nights back." "What's he hiding for?" the monotonous tone jarred Jude more than any outbreak of temper could have done. His recent restraint, and his pent-up plans had worn his nerves to the raw edge. He was in the slow, consuming stage of emotions that was likely to lead him to a desperate move if he were balked.