"He would have liked to be, poor dear, but he felt he had to be
cautious and prepare the way before telling me. If it hadn't been for
Bailey, he might be doing it still. Apparently, Bailey went to him and
said I had said I was going to marry him, and Kirk came flying round,
and--well, then it was all right."
Mr. Bannister drew thoughtfully at his cigar. He was silent for a few
moments.
"Well, my dear," he said at last. "I think you had better consider the
engagement broken off."
Ruth looked at him quickly. He still smiled, but his eyes were cold and
hard. She realized suddenly that she had been played with, that all his
kindliness and amiability had been merely a substitute for the storm
which she had expected. After all, it was to be war between them, and
she braced herself for it!
"Father!" she cried.
Mr. Bannister continued to puff serenely at his cigar.
"We needn't get worked up about it," he said. "Let's keep right on
talking it over quietly."
"Very well," said Ruth. "But, after what you have just said, what is
there to talk over?"
"You might be interested to hear my reasons for saying it."
"And I will argue my side."
Mr. Bannister waved his hand gently.
"You don't have to argue. You just listen."
Ruth bit her lip.
"Well?"
"In the first place," said her father, "about this young man.
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