The Spectator., 1914-11-06
Journeys End.
CHAPTER XIV.

OlS8IdCcs u6 was SOTe, uueuldliy hS we'll as physically; and he ate his din- ner without relish. in simple obedi- ence to those well-regulated periods of hunger that assailed him three times a day. in spring. summer, au- tumn and winter. By the time the waiter had cleared away the dishes, Harrtgan had perfecto between his nial bit). and smoked as if he had wagered to finish the cigar in half the usual stretch. He then began to walk the floor, much after the fashion of man who has the toothache, or the earache, which would be more to the point. To his direct mind no diplo- macy was needed; all that was neces- sary was a few blunt questions. Nora could answer them as she chose. Nora, his baby, his little girl that used to run around barefooted and laugh when he applied the needed birch! How children grew up! And they uever grew too old for the birch; they certainly never did.
 They heard him from the drawing room: tramp. tramp, tramp.
 Let him be. Nora," said Mrs. Harri- something. And your father is not the easiest man to approach when he's mad. If he fought MT. Courtlandt. he believed he had some good reason for doing so."
 Mother, there are times when l believe you are afraid of father"
 ''I am always afraid of him. It is only because I make believe I'm not that can get him to do anything. It was dreadful. And MT. Courtlandt was such a gentleman. I could cry. But let your father be until tomor- row."
 And have him wandering about with that black eye? Something must be done for 1t. I'm not afraid of him"
 Sometimes l wish you were"
 So Nora entered the lions den fear lessly. ''ls there anything l can do for you. dad?" \
 You can get the witch hazel and bathe this lamp of mine." grimly.
 She ran into her own room and re- turned with the simpler devices for reducing a swollen eye. She did not notice. or pretended that she didn't. that he locked the door and put the . chair. under the light; and she went to work defuy.
 Two got some makeup. and tomor- TOW norning I'll paint it for you"
 You don't ask any Questions." he said. with grimness.
 Would it relieve your eye any?" lightly. He laughed. No; but 1t might re- lieve my mind"
 "Well. then. why did you do so foolish Q thing? At your age! Don't you know that you can't go on whip ping every man you take a dislike tor"
 "T haven't taken any dislike to Courtlandt. But I saw him kiss you"
 T can take care of myself"
 Perhaps. l asked him to explain. He refused. One thing puzzled me. though I didn't know what 1t was at the time. Now, when a fellow steals . kiss from a beautiful woman like you. Nora. l don't see why he should feel mad about 1t. When he had all but knocked your daddy to by-by. he said that you could explain. |. Don't press so hard" warningly. Well, can you?"
 Since you saw what he did. do not see where explanations on my part are necessary"
 Mora, I've never caught you in & lie. never want to. When you were little you were the truthfullest thing I ever saw. No matter what kind of . licking was in store for you. you weren't afraid; you told the truth.
 There. thatll do. Put some cotton over 1t and bind 1t with a handkerchief. It'll be black all right. but the swelling will go down. can tell 'em a tennis ball hit me- It was more like cannon ball. though. Say. Nora, you know I've always pooh poohed these amateurs. People used to say that there were dozens of men in New York in my prime who could have laid me cold. I used to laugh. We'll. guess they were right. Court landt's got the stiRest kick ever ran into. \ pile driver. and if he had landed on my jaw. 1t would have been dormi bsns as you say when you bid me good night in daSo. That's all right now until tomorrow. l want to talk to you. Draw up chair. There! Al sald. I've never caught you in rL bat nnd that you've been living Ae tor two year.. You haven't ! Zen square to me. nor to your mother nor to the chaps that came arounf and made love to you. You pr bably