"Sophy," he blurted, "I must tell you—there was a settlement ... at the time of your marriage with Mr. Loring...."
(He had "Mistered" Loring punctiliously ever since Sophy's disclosure.)
"A settlement?" said Sophy blankly.
"Just so. Yes. A-rrrm!... I ... er ... am responsible for the ... er ... arrangement ... a marriage settlement, you know.... It gives you ten thousand a year, in your own right."
"Gives me...? Ten thousand...? My own right?" stammered Sophy. "Oh, you must be mistaken, Joe!" she added, colouring deeply.
Then the Judge explained unhappily. He had stood in loco parentis.... The future was always uncertain.... He should have felt himself culpable towards her, et cetera, et cetera. And fearing that she might raise objections against her own interests, he had accepted a power-of-attorney to administer the property for her. This was the reason of her ignorance on the subject.
Sophy stood transfixed. Then she took it in. She went up to him, put her arm about his neck, and kissed his harassed face. "You're a dear, kind, real brother," she murmured; "but you're a lawyer, too—so you can just arrange to unsettle that settlement."
"Now, Sophy ... now, Sophy...." he pleaded. "There's nothing undignified ... or ... or...."
"I couldn't, Joe! It's impossible ... utterly...."
"Think of Bobby...."