"How did she get here? What does she want?"
"She wants a strait-jacket, I cal'late," said Cap'n Ira. "I don't
know what is best to do about her. Prudence says she won't have her
in the house overnight. 'Twould be too bad to have to put her in the
town lockup."
"You _dare_ to!" shrieked Ida May, with courage born of desperation.
Tunis put Sheila tenderly aside. He crossed the room to the other
girl. He showed no manner of sympathy for her, but he spoke quietly.
"This won't do, you know. Mr. and Mrs. Ball don't want you here. You
have no claim on them--none at all. Even if you chanced to be a
relation, they have not got to take you in if they don't want to."
"They've taken that other girl in!" cried Ida May wildly.
"That is their business. They want her. They don't want you. You
have no more standing here than you would have if you went into the
house of the governor of the State and demanded recognition there."
"What a wicked man you are!" gasped Ida May. "And--and I thought you
was a simp!"
Tunis did not even change color. He addressed her as though he
believed she was not right in her mind. Sheila watched him, not now
in fear, but in wonder. She had thought she must battle with this
girl for Tunis' name and reputation.
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