“Sure! It is because I know WHAT you are that I want you.” “Mr. Colton, you--I don't know what to say to you.” “Try saying 'yes' and see how it seems. It will be a change, anyhow.” “No, no! I cannot; it is impossible.” “Oh, you make me weary! . . . Humph! What is it now? Any more 'reasons'?” “Yes.” I faced him squarely. “Yes,” I said, “there is another reason, one that makes it impossible, utterly impossible, if nothing else did. When I tell you what it is you will understand what I mean and agree with me. Your daughter and I have been thrown together a great deal since she came to Denboro. Our meetings have not been of my seeking, nor of hers. Of late I have realized that, for my own sake, for the sake of my peace of mind, I must not meet her. I must not be where she is. I--” “Here! Stop!” he broke in sharply. “What is this? Do you mean to tell me that you and Mabel--” “It is not her fault. It is my own, entirely. Mr. Colton, I--” “Stop, I tell you! Do you mean to tell me that you are--that you have been making love to my daughter?” “No. Certainly not.” “Then what do you mean? That she has been making love to you?” “Mr. Colton--” “There! Don't act like the Wild Man of Borneo. Do you mean that you are in love with her?” “Don't you see now why I cannot accept? I must go away. I am going.” “Humph! That will do. . . . Humph! Well, Paine--Bennett, I should say; it is hard to keep track of your names--you are rather--er--reckless, it seems to me. Mabel is our only child and her mother and I, naturally, had planned for her future . . . Have you told her of your--recklessness?” “Of course not! I shall not see her again. I shall leave Denboro as soon as I can. She will never know.” “Humph! I see . . . I see . . . Well, I don't know that there is anything for me to say.” “There is not.” “I am sorry for you, of course.” “Thank you.” There was a sharp rap at the door. Doctor Quimby opened it and entered the room. He glanced from me to his patient and his face expressed sharp disapproval. “You'd better go, Ros,” he snapped. “What is the matter with you? Didn't I tell you not to excite him.” “I'M not excited,” observed Colton, drily. “Clear out this minute!” continued the angry doctor. “Ros Paine, I thought you had more sense.” “So did I,” this from “Big Jim”. “However, I am learning a lot these days. Good-by, Paine.” I was at the door. “Oh, by the way,” he called after me, “let me make a suggestion. If I were you, Roscoe, I wouldn't leave Denboro to-day. Not before to-morrow morning, at any rate.” I did not understand him and I asked for no explanation. It was the first time he had addressed me by my Christian name, but it was not until afterward that I remembered that fact.