Loring had a flash of rage; then controlled himself.
"Well—I guess that subject had better be dropped between us," he admitted shamefacedly.
Sophy, looking at him quietly, said:
"Another thing that I have to tell you is that Amaldi is coming here this afternoon. He will come about half-past six. I wish to see him before I go to Virginia. I asked him to come."
"Oh, all right ... all right ... of course," Loring replied, in a rather foolish voice.
"I shall take Bobby and Rosa with me to Sweet-Waters," Sophy continued. "Mr. Grey will follow in a day or two after he has seen that the household and accounts are all in order. We went over the accounts together this morning. I am also leaving directions with him about a few other things. He will hand you certain keys. You had better have the jewels taken to the bank at once."
Loring looked rather staggered. He forced a smile.
"I say...." he protested. "You are laying it on a bit thick, you know...."
He had again that boyish look which so hurt her—there was in his forced smile the sort of timid, ingratiating air that a dog has when it knows that it is muddy and yet wishes to jump up on the most cherished chair.
She said hurriedly: