"No doubt you had plenty of excuse, but that doesn't really justify you.

At least--I don't think so." He met her look in his usual direct fashion.

Those eagle eyes of his sent a little tremor through her.

There was a caged fierceness about them that strangely stirred her.
He spoke after the briefest pause with absolute gentleness.

"All right, little pal! It's decent of you to put it like that.