I absolutely refuse to listen to such an argument." Her outrageously unbusiness-like utterances, treading fast on the heels of his own melodramatic and written views concerning their property, nettled him greatly.

Each downright syllable was a sting to his conscience, but of this Iris was blissfully unaware, else she would not have applied caustic to the rankling wound caused by his momentary distrust of her.
For some time they stood in silence, until the sailor commenced to reproach himself for his rough protest.

Perhaps he had hurt her sensitive feelings.

What a brute he was, to be sure! She was only a child in ordinary affairs, and he ought to have explained things more lucidly and with greater command over his temper.

And all this time Iris's face was dimpling with amusement, for she understood him so well that had he threatened to kill her she would have laughed at him.
"Would you mind getting the lamp ?" he said softly, surprised to catch her expression of saucy humor.
"Oh, please may I speak ?" she inquired.