"We could not like her."
"Did your brother—I am sorry to press this matter—ever show that he felt your change of conduct towards him?"
"I find it equally hard to answer," was the quick reply. "My brother is of an affectionate nature, and he has some, if not all, of the family's pride. I think he did feel it, though he never said so. He is not without loyalty to his wife."
"Mr. Van Burnam, of whom does the firm doing business under the name of Van Burnam & Sons consist?"
"Of the three persons mentioned."
"No others?"
"No."
"Has there ever been in your hearing any threat made by the senior partner of dissolving this firm as it stands?"
"I have heard"—I felt sorry for this strong but far from heartless man, but I would not have stopped the inquiry at this point if I could; I was far too curious—"I have heard my father say that he would withdraw if Howard did not. Whether he would have done so, I consider open to doubt. My father is a just man and never fails to do the right thing, though he sometimes speaks with unnecessary harshness."
"He made the threat, however?"