“No need to worry about our young friend,” he said cheerfully.  “He is alternately being very sick at his stomach and cursing the poor working man.  But I think I’d better drive you back.  He’ll be poor company, I’ll say that.”

He looked at her, his bold eyes challenging, belying the amiable gentleness of his smile.

“I’d better let him know.”

“I told him.  He isn’t strong for me.  Always hate the fellow who saves you, you know.  But he didn’t object.”

Lily moved into his car obediently.  She felt a strange inclination to do what this man wanted.  Rather, it was an inability to oppose him.  He went on, big, strong, and imperious.  And he carried one along.  It was easy and queer.  But she did, unconsciously, what she had never done with Pink or any other man; she sat as far away from him on the wide seat as she could.

He noticed that, and smiled ahead, over the wheel.  He had been infuriated over her avoidance of him, but if she was afraid of him—­

“Bully engine in this car.  Never have to change a gear.”

“You certainly made a road through the field.”

“They’ll fix that, all right.  Are you warm enough?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“You have been treating me very badly, you know, Miss Cardew.”

“I have been frightfully busy.”

“That’s not true, and you know it.  You’ve been forbidden to see me, haven’t you?”

“I have been forbidden to go back to Cardew Way.”

“They don’t know about me, then?”

“There isn’t very much to know, is there?”

“I wish you wouldn’t fence with me,” he said impatiently.  “I told you once I was frank.  I want you to answer one question.  If this thing rested with you, would you see me again?”

“I think I would, Mr. Akers,” she said honestly.

Had she ever known a man like the one beside her, she would not have given him that opportunity.  He glanced sharply around, and then suddenly stopped the car and turned toward her.

“I’m crazy about you, and you know it,” he said.  And roughly, violently, he caught her to him and kissed her again and again.  Her arms were pinned to her sides, and she was helpless.  After a brief struggle to free herself she merely shut her eyes and waited for him to stop.

“I’m mad about you,” he whispered.

Then he freed her.  Lily wanted to feel angry, but she felt only humiliated and rather soiled.  There were men like that, then, men who gave way to violent impulses, who lost control of themselves and had to apologize afterwards.  She hated him, but she was sorry for him, too.  He would have to be so humble.  She was staring ahead, white and waiting for his explanation, when he released the brake and started the car forward slowly.

“Well?” he said, with a faint smile.

“You will have to apologize for that, Mr. Akers.”