CHAPTER III.
I "I will speak to you to-night, sir, after supper," said his father sharply a second day later, when Robin, meeting his father setting out before dinner, had asked him to give him an hour's talk.
* * * * * Robin's mind had worked fiercely and intently since the encounter in the hall.

His father had sat silent both at supper and afterwards, and the next day was the same; the old man spoke no more than was necessary, shortly and abruptly, scarcely looking his son once in the face, and the rest of the day they had not met.

It was plain to the boy that something must follow his defiance, and he had prepared all his fortitude to meet it.

Yet the second night had passed and no word had been spoken, and by the second morning Robin could bear it no longer; he must know what was in his father's mind.

And now the appointment was made, and he would soon know all.