"I can imagine it. Yes, quite as much as that. I'm afraid I'm a very sharp thorn in her flesh."
"But you wouldn't try to—to——"
"To restrain her? Lord, no! The position's as detestable to me as to her. I don't want to be compelled to know what she does with her money. However, I'm hoping to have another go at the old man when he's in a more reasonable frame of mind. He's as stubborn as a donkey now."
She nodded with a rueful laugh and said:
"I'm afraid your stepmother is going to hate me most awfully from now on. Still, I couldn't stand by and allow her to go for the poor old man like that. Why, she was like a tigress!"
She stopped, looking as though afraid she had committed an indiscretion.
"Oh, don't apologise; facts are facts. I'm only sorry you had to come up against this unpleasant one. You were absolutely in the right, so you have nothing to worry about."
"I shall be uncomfortable, though. It puts me in an awkward position."
"Never mind. It looks now as if she's made up her mind to be laid up for a bit, so you won't have to see her."
She looked at him curiously.