He's half drove off his head with trouble.' 'If he does think it,' said Kirkwood, speaking sternly but with self-command, 'let him say what he likes.

He can't say worse than I should deserve.' There was an instant of silence.

Hewett's head hung with more than the usual doggedness.

Then he addressed Sidney, sullenly, but in a tone which admitted his error.
'What have you got to say?
Never mind me.

I'm only the girl's father, an' there's not much heed paid to fathers nowadays.