ashamed of myself."

"Ashamed of yourself?" repeated Mr. Evans, rising and confronting him.

Mr. Carter hung his head and gazed nervously in the direction of the
girl. "I can't keep up this deception," he said, in a low but distinct
voice. "I am Bert Simmons. At least, that is the name I told you four
years ago."

"I knew I hadn't made a mistake," roared Mr. Evans to his son. "I knew
him well enough. Shut the door, Jim. Don't let him go."

"I don't want to go," said Mr. Carter, with a glance in the direction of
Nancy. "I have come back to make amends."

"Fancy Nancy not knowing him!" said Jim, gazing at the astonished Miss
Evans.

"She was afraid of getting me into trouble," said Mr. Carter, "and I just
gave her a wink not to recognize me; but she knew me well enough, bless
her."

"How dare you!" said the girl, starting up. "Why, I've never seen you
before in my life."

"All right, Nan," said the brazen Mr. Carter; "but it's no good keeping
it up now. I've come back to act fair and square."

Miss Evans struggled for breath.