Under his broad-brimmed black felt hat, which he had
not troubled to remove, a handsome face with fierce, domineering
eyes and a curved hawk-bill of a nose looked savagely at the pair
who sat by the stove.
Ettie had jumped to her feet full of confusion and alarm. "I'm
glad to see you, Mr. Baldwin," said she. "You're earlier than I
had thought. Come and sit down."
Baldwin stood with his hands on his hips looking at McMurdo.
"Who is this?" he asked curtly.
"It's a friend of mine, Mr. Baldwin, a new boarder here. Mr.
McMurdo, may I introduce you to Mr. Baldwin?"
The young men nodded in surly fashion to each other.
"Maybe Miss Ettie has told you how it is with us?" said Baldwin.
"I didn't understand that there was any relation between you."
"Didn't you? Well, you can understand it now. You can take it
from me that this young lady is mine, and you'll find it a very
fine evening for a walk."
"Thank you, I am in no humour for a walk."
"Aren't you?" The man's savage eyes were blazing with anger.
"Maybe you are in a humour for a fight, Mr. Boarder!"
"That I am!" cried McMurdo, springing to his feet.
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