“Why do you never meet here, Zachariah? Why must it always be at Caillaud’s?” “Did you not say that they should not come to this house again?” “Yes; but I meant I did not want to see them as friends. On business there is no reason why Caillaud should not come.” “I cannot draw the line.” “Zachariah, do you mean to call unconverted infidels your friends?” They were his friends—he felt they were—and they were dear to him; but he was hardly able as yet to confess it, even to himself. “It will not do,” he said. “Besides, Caillaud will be sure to bring his daughter.” “She will not be so bold as to come if she is not asked. Do _I_ go with you anywhere except when I am asked?” “She has always been used to go out with her father wherever he goes. She knows all his affairs, and is very useful to him.” “So it seems. She must be _very_ useful. Well, if it must be so, and it is on business, invite her too.” “I think still it will be better at Caillaud’s; there more room. There would be five of us.” “How do you make five?” “There is the Major. And why, by the way, do you object to Caillaud and Pauline more than the Major? He is not converted.” “There is plenty of room here. I didn’t say I didn’t object to the Major. Besides, there is a difference between French infidels and English people, even if they are not church members. But I see how it is. You want to go there, and you will go. I am of no use to you. You care nothing for me. You can talk to such dreadful creatures as Caillaud and that woman who lives with him, and you never talk to me. Oh, I wish Mr. Bradshaw were here, or I were back again at home! What would Mr. Bradshaw say?” Mrs. Coleman covered her face in her hands. Zachariah felt no pity. His anger was roused. He was able to say hard things at times, and there was even a touch of brutality in him. “Whose fault is it that I do not talk to you? When did I ever get any help from you? What do you understand about what concerns me, and when have you ever tried to understand anything? Your home is no home to me. My life is blasted, and it might have been different. The meeting shall not be here, and I will do as I please.”