"So I was, until I took a little run out Hazelton way. Then I came back
and finished up my work," he lied recklessly.
"He saw you at Catawba. That's ten miles beyond Hazelton.... You didn't
get back until midnight last night, Pelham."
"Why, I was here for supper! Then I had to go down town...."
"You were with Miss Richard again." She ventured a chance shot.
His jaw stiffened, the occasional look of childish petulance smoldering
around his eyes. "What if I was? Do you expect me to be locked in by a
keeper every night?"
"You never mentioned her ... except meeting her."