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 have changed my mind. Not that anything you have said has influenced me. Ruth is tired and needs all the rest she can get, so you cannot see her. Wife is an excellent nurse, so you need have no care as to her welfare." And, after the delivery of this long speech, Robert yawned so long and audibly that Matthew saw he was anxious to close the interview.

"Thee seems to look lightly upon thy part in this affair, and I am astonished at the stand thee has taken. May I ask how Ruth got here? Thee said thee did not assist her to leave the boat."

"I do not know that I am called upon to go into particulars. When it is necessary I will do so."

"This, I suppose, is the world's way of looking at it. It may be I cannot force thee to speak, but I can think of thee as I choose," said Matthew, making a desperate effort to look like dignity offended.

Robert laughed at him. "Well, Matthew, you can make a pretty shrewd guess as to what I think. It is enough to know