"If you must have it--I
think you've been--rather brutal," she said, lifting her clear eyes
to his. "No doubt you had plenty of excuse, but that doesn't
really justify you. At least--I don't think so."
He met her look in his usual direct fashion. Those eagle eyes of
his sent a little tremor through her. There was a caged fierceness
about them that strangely stirred her.
He spoke after the briefest pause with absolute gentleness. "All
right, little pal! It's decent of you to put it like that. You're
quite wrong, but that's a detail. You'll change your views when
you've been in the country a little longer. Now forget it, and
come for a ride!"
It was disarmingly kind, and Sylvia softened in spite of herself.
She put her hand on his arm. "Burke, you won't do it again?" she
said.
He smiled a little. "It won't be necessary for some time to come.
If you did the same to Fair Rosamond now and then you would
marvellously improve her. Idle little cuss!"
"I never shall," said Sylvia with emphasis.
He heaved a sigh. "Then I shall have to kick her out I suppose. I
can see she is wearing your temper to a fine edge."
She bit her lip for a second, and then laughed. "Oh, go away, do?
You're very horrid. Rose may be trying sometimes, but I can put up
with her."
"You can't manage her," said Burke.
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