Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/162

 "The matter must be brought to his notice at once, any way," said Joe doggedly.

"You can count upon that," said Harriet grimly.

"But it'll be one side only. And there's the other, my gal."

"What other?" Harriet asked with a drawn smile.

"Her side. She is not going to be made a fool of by anyone if I can help it."

Said Harriet very gravely: "Joe, I sincerely hope you will not meddle in this. I am quite sure that any interference of ours will be most unwise."

But Joe shook the head of a warrior.

"There you're wrong. This is our affair and we've got to see it through."

"Far better let the matter alone."

"When we adopted that girl," said Joe, "we took a great responsibility on ourselves, and we've got to live up to it. In my opinion that young man means no good."

"You have no right to say that," said Harriet quickly

"I've a right to say what I think. And you know as well as I do that the likes o' him don't condescend to the likes o' her with any good intention."

Harriet flushed darkly.

"I am quite sure that Mr. Dinneford would always behave like a gentleman," she said sternly.

"That is more than you know."

"You seem to forget that he is one of the Family."

Joe laughed rather sardonically. "I don't blame you for being so set up with your precious Family," he said. "It is only right that you should be—but I know what I know. Human nature's human nature."