"Oh!" she said.
She paused.
"That puts a different complexion on this affair."
"Betcha life!"
She paused once more. It was some moments before she could bring
herself to speak. She managed it at last.
"I beg your pardon," she said.
"Mine, ma'am?" said Steve grandly. Five minutes before, the idea that
he could ever speak grandly to Lora Delane Porter would have seemed
ridiculous to him; but he was surprised at nothing now.
"And the young wom---- And the future Mrs. Dingle's," said Mrs. Porter
with an effort.
"Thank you, ma'am," said Steve, and released Mamie, who forthwith
bolted from the room like a scared rabbit.
Steve had started to follow her when Mrs. Porter, magnificent woman,
snatching what was left from defeat, stopped him.
"Wait!" she said. "What you have said alters the matter in one respect;
but there is another point. On your own confession you have been guilty
of the extremely serious offence, the penal offence of kidnapping a
child who--"
"Drop me a line about it, ma'am," said Steve. "Me time's rather full
just now."
He disappeared into the outer darkness after Mamie.
* * * * *
In the room they had left, Kirk and Ruth faced each other in silence.
Lora Delane Porter eyed them grimly. It was the hour of her defeat, and
she knew it.
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