"Really pulled down!" The Colonel quite forgot to speak in a piping voice. "That man is a perfect ignoramus. He knows no more than an old woman. I have about as much strength as an infant."
A pause. Dorothea could not assent, and would not contradict.
"And what we are to do next I cannot imagine. My head will not stand money affairs. Everything will have to go."
If the Colonel had been a woman, Dorothea would have suspected sobs as near at hand. Still, she was glad to hear an allusion to the money difficulty. Anything rather than persistent silence.
"Father, don't you think it would be a help if you would tell me all about it?"
"You, my dear! You! Women know nothing about business."
"Perhaps not very much; but I would try to understand. I would consult somebody, Mr. Mordan, or—"
"No, no! Rubbish and nonsense," said the Colonel, speaking energetically. "Nothing can be done. I shall be bankrupt. There's no help for it. I'm done for."
This was not very cheerful, or very good for an invalid. Dorothea wondered whether she had better turn to some other subject. Then she heard the postman's rap, and stood up.
"Where are you going?"