Cabot" so astonishing,
that the latter was obliged to stop even in the full tide of his
enjoyment of the joke. He turned, to find Galusha leaning forward, one
hand upon the center table, and the other extending a forefinger in his
direction. The finger shook a little, but its owner's countenance was
set like a rock. And now it was not crimson, but white.
"Mr. Cabot," said Galusha, "I must insist that you say no more on
this matter. My personal business is--ah--presumably my own. I--I must
insist. Insist--ah--absolutely; yes."
His cousin looked at him and he returned the look. Cabot's hesitation
was but momentary. His astonishment was vast, but he accepted the
situation gracefully. He laughed no more.
"I beg your pardon, Galusha," he said. "I'm sorry. I had no thought
of offending you, old man. I--well, perhaps I am inclined to joke too
freely. But, really, I didn't suppose--I never knew you to be--"
He paused. Galusha's expression did not change; he said nothing.
"I am very sorry," went on the banker. "It was only thoughtlessness on
my part. You'll forgive me, Loosh, I hope."
Galusha bowed, but he did not smile. A little of the color came back to
his cheeks.
"Ah--ah--Yes, certainly," he stammered. "Certainly, quite so."
He sat down in his chair again, but he did not look in Miss Phipps'
direction. He seemed to know that she was regarding him with a fixed and
startled intentness.
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