 I thought it
possible that the door might be shut in my face. Mallard would have wished to do
so.«
    »He wouldn't have welcomed you; but you were free to come in if you wished.«
    »Have you thought it likely I might come some day?«
    »I expected, sooner or later, to hear from you.«
    He had a cane, and kept slashing with it at the green growths by his feet.
When he missed his aim at any particular object, he stopped and struck again,
more fiercely.
    »Does Cecily come to see you?« was his next question, uttered as if
unconcernedly.
    »No.«
    »But you know about her? You know where she is?«
    »Yes.«
    »Tell me what you know, Miriam. How is she living?«
    »I had much rather not speak of her. I don't feel that I have any right to.«
    »Why not?« he asked quickly, standing still. »What is there to hide? Why had
you rather not speak?«
    »For reasons that you understand well enough. What is it to you how she
lives?«
    He searched her face, like one suspecting a studied ambiguity. His eyes,
which were a little bloodshot, grew larger and more turbid; a repulsive
animalism came out in all his features.
    »Do tell me what you know, Miriam,« he pleaded. »Of course it's nothing to
me; I know that. I have no wish to interfere with her; I promise you to do
nothing of the kind; I promise solemnly!«
    »You promise?« she exclaimed, not harshly, but with stern significance. »How
can you use such words? Under what circumstances could I put faith in a promise
of yours, Reuben?«
    He struck violently at the trunk of a tree, and his cane broke; then he
flung it away, still more passionately.
    »You're right enough. What do I care? I lie more often than I tell the
truth. I have a sort of pride in it. If a man is to be a liar, let him be a
thorough one. - Do you know why I smashed the stick? I had a devilish temptation
to strike you across the face with it. That would have been nice, wouldn't it?«
    »You had better go your own way, Reuben, and let me go mine.«
    She drew apart, and not without actual fear of him,
