And Emily Giles could take care of them both.

But this overture, too, Bill Nourse declined.

She could just imagine him doing it, the surly, ungracious tone of his voice, the very worst side of the man shown up.

Joe often now looked troubled when Ethel talked of his partner.
But toward the end of the summer in one such talk he gave her a shock.
It was after Nourse had again refused an invitation to come to the seashore.
"He's queer," said Joe, "and he can be ugly.

Being polite is not in Bill's line.