Sorry I can't stop and talk to you longer." He shouted a last imprecation at the Chinaman and turned back into the barn.

Presley and Vanamee went on, but Annixter, as he crossed the floor of the barn, all but collided with Hilma Tree, who came out from one of the stalls, a box of candles in her arms.
Gasping out an apology, Annixter reentered the harness room, closing the door behind him, and forgetting all the responsibility of the moment, lit a cigar and sat down in one of the hired chairs, his hands in his pockets, his feet on the table, frowning thoughtfully through the blue smoke.
Annixter was at last driven to confess to himself that he could not get the thought of Hilma Tree out of his mind.

Finally she had "got a hold on him." The thing that of all others he most dreaded had happened.

A feemale girl had got a hold on him, and now there was no longer for him any such thing as peace of mind.

The idea of the young woman was with him continually.