“What right have you to speak like that to me?” said Hilda.

“Right! What right ha’ yo’ ter start harnessin’ other folks i’ your continuity? Leave folks to their own continuities.”

“My dear man, do you think I am concerned with you?” said Hilda softly.

“Ay,” he said. “Yo’ are. For it’s a force-put. Yo’ more or less my sister-in-law.”

“Still far from it, I assure you.”