If Peter had not requested his absence and given his reason for wishing it, in Miss Pierce's hearing, Watts would have formed an instant conclusion as to what it meant, not far from the truth.

But that a man should deliberately order another away, in the girl's hearing, so that he might propose to her, was too great an absurdity for Watts to entertain for more than a second.

He laughed, and said, "Go on yourself, if you don't like the company." "No," said Peter.

"I want you to go on." Peter spoke quietly, but there was an inflexion in his singularly clear voice, which had more command in it than a much louder tone in others.

Watts had learned to recognize it, and from past experience knew that Peter was not to be moved when he used it.