That is the man's point of view. The woman takes the excellences for granted, and if they are lacking, one of two things may happen: a great smashing of ideals, or an attack of heavenly blindness. Gertrude was of the tribe of those who go blind; and deep down in her heart she rejoiced in Brockway's audacity. Hence it was only for form's sake that she said, "How was I to know that you were only trying to humiliate me?"
"I humiliate you!" he repeated, quite aghast at the bare suggestion. "Not knowingly, you may be very sure. But about the telegram; you are not angry with me because I was desperate enough to answer it without having first shown it to you?"
"I said I was, and so I must be. But I don't see how you could have done otherwise--not after you had promised not to let anything interfere. Do you think Mr. Burton had a telegram, too?"
"I was just wondering," Brockway rejoined, reflectively. "I think we are safe in assuming that he hadn't."
"I don't care; I'm not going back," said Gertrude, with fine determination. "Papa gave me this day, early in the morning, and I'm going to keep it. What do you think of an irresponsible young person who says such an unfilial thing as that?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you what I think."
"That is one of the things I don't dare--not yet."
"You'd better not abate any of your daring; you'll need it all when we get back," laughed Gertrude, speaking far better than she knew.
"To take the consequences of my impudence?"
"Yes. You don't know my father; he is steel and ice when he is angry."
Remembering the object-lesson on the station platform in Denver, Brockway ventured to dissent from this, though he was politic enough not to do so openly.
"I'm sorry; but I'm afraid he will be angrier yet, before long."
"You read my message: I asked him to answer at Beaver Brook. He'll be pretty sure to send you a peremptory order to turn back from Forks Creek, won't he?"
"Why, of course he will; and I'll have to go back, after all--I sha'n't dare disobey. Oh, why didn't you make it impossible, while you were doing it?"
"I had to do what I could; and you, and Burton, and the operator, had to be saved blameless. But I'll venture a prediction. As well as you know your father, you may prepare yourself to be surprised at what he will say. I am no mind-reader, but I'm going to prophesy that he doesn't recall you."