In fine, to marry Ruth (if she would consent) as a punishment for what he had done! To whip his soul so long as he lived, but to let his body go free! To provide for her, to work and dream for her, to be tender and thoughtful and loyal, to shelter and guard her, to become accountable to God for her future.
It was the sing-song girl idea, magnified many diameters.

In this hour its colossal selfishness never occurred to him.
So, then, when McClintock offered the coveted haven, Spurlock became afire to dramatize the idea.
"Ruth!" She had gone to the door, aimlessly, without purpose.

All the sombre visions she had been pressing back, fighting out of her thoughts, swarmed over the barrier and crushed her.

She did not want to go to the doctor's people; however kindly that might be, they would be only curious strangers.

She would never return to her father; that resolution was final.