The Truth Behind the Anger — The Blue Castle

Barney arrives in the clanking car the next afternoon and demands his wife without preamble while Uncle Benjamin beams at prophecy fulfilled. Valancy, pale and dressed in ugly gingham, tries to refuse the meeting, but she knows Barney will not leave. In the parlour he catches her, protests the divorce talk, and insists he loves her, pointing to the train moment as proof. Valancy pushes him away, citing pity, Ethel Traverse, and his father's story.

Barney then tells his full history: patent-medicine humiliation at school, betrayal by a friend, and Ethel's overheard line about gilding the Pills. He fled to the Yukon and Mistawis, distrusting love until Valancy married him without knowing his money. He explains the switch-night terror, finding her note, and his plan to seek specialists.

When she still disbelieves, he erupts in rage at her Stirling pride until she laughs and realizes anger means truth. They reconcile in each other's arms while Uncle Benjamin, at the keyhole, declares victory and opens the family Bible to record the marriage.