"I disagree with you entirely," he said.
"Another thing," went on Kirk. "If this man Milbank--I still can't
place him--is such a thug, or whatever it is that he happens to be, how
did he come to be at your house the night you say I met him?"
Bailey winced. He wished the world was not perpetually reminding him
that Basil and Sybil were on speaking terms.
"Sybil invited him. I may say he has asked Sybil to make one of the
yacht party. I absolutely forbade it."
"But, Heavens! What's wrong with the man?"
"He has a bad reputation."
"Has he, indeed!"
"And I wish my wife to associate with him as little as possible. And I
should advise you to forbid Ruth to see more of him than she can help."
Kirk laughed. The idea struck him as comic.
"My good man, I don't forbid Ruth to do things."
Bailey, objecting to being called any one's good man, especially
Kirk's, permitted his temper to get the better of him.
"Then you should," he snapped. "I have no wish to quarrel with you. I
came in here in a friendly spirit to warn you; but I must say that for
a man who married a girl, as you married Ruth, in direct opposition to
the wishes of her family, you take a curious view of your obligations.
Ruth has always been a headstrong, impulsive girl, and it is for you to
see that she is protected from herself.
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