"I don't think it would. Petty tyranny of that kind is the last thing I could put up with; the last thing one would expect from you." "Quite so. At the same time--marriage means compromise. You understand?" "When a man says that he usually implies that the woman will do most of the compromising, in order that he may have his own way." "Within limits, a man has a certain right to his own way in his own house." "And generally gets it!" she answered lightly. Lenox shrugged his shoulders, and going over to the easel, contemplated in silence the living likeness of his friend: while Quita, watching him, was increasingly aware of slumbering electricity that might at any moment break into a lightning-flash of speech. "It's good. Don't you think so?" she asked on a tentative note of conciliation. "Of course it is. Damned good," he answered gruffly. "Eldred! Even if you _are_ in a bad mood, you might control your language." "I beg your pardon. It's exceedingly good. But you've had it long enough on hand. Shall you finish it to-day?" "I don't think so. Why?" "Because, though Dick isn't quite up to duty yet, he's fit to be back at mess again and in his own bungalow." "Has he said anything about it?" "No." "And do you propose to tell him outright that he has been here long enough?" "What I propose to say to him is my own affair. You needn't distress yourself on his account. Dick and I understand one another perfectly." "No doubt you do. But after all, I am his hostess, and though you may not object to being flagrantly inhospitable, _I_ do--very strongly. Besides, why should you be in such a hurry to turn him out? Are you annoyed again because we happen to be good friends and enjoy one another's society? I thought you were above that sort of thing." The suggestion of scorn in her tone pricked him past endurance. He turned upon her sharply; and his eyes took on their blue of steel. "I am not above the natural passions of the natural man. You may as well know it first as last. And I do not choose that Dick and half the men of the station shall practically live in my house because I happen to possess a very attractive wife." "In fact, you imply that the attractive wife is bound over not to go beyond correct platitudes with any of them but you. Is that it?" she demanded, the red of rebellion staining her cheeks. The man was sore rather than angry; and the least touch of tenderness or hesitancy would have melted him to generous contrition. But her manner hardened him, and he set his teeth.