Upon which Kirk, whose patience was not so
robust as it had been, and who, like Ruth, found the day oppressive and
making for irritability, had cursed Aunt Lora heartily, given it as his
opinion that between them she and Ruth were turning the child from a
human being into a sort of spineless, effeminate exhibit in a museum,
and had taken himself off to the studio muttering disjointed things.
Ruth was still quivering with the indignation of a woman who has been
cheated of the last word when Bailey appeared and announced that he
wished to speak seriously to her.
Bailey saw the hostility in her eyes and winced a little before it. He
was not feeling altogether at his ease. He had had experience of Ruth
in this mood, and she had taught him to respect it.
But he was not going to shirk his duty. He resumed:
"I am only speaking for your own good," he said. "I know that it
is nothing but thoughtlessness on your part, but I am naturally
anxious----"
"Bailey," interrupted Ruth, "get to the point."
Bailey drew a long breath.
"Well, then," he said, baulked of his preamble, and rushing on his
fate, "I think you see too much of Basil Milbank."
Ruth raised her eyebrows.
"Oh?"
The mildness of her tone deceived Bailey.
"I do not like to speak of these things," he went on more happily; "but
I feel that I must.
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