"Quite shameful," said Augusta, indignantly.
"But if he has got the law on his side," continued Mrs. Tappitt, "it's no good your papa trying to go against that. Where should we be if we were to lose everything and be told to pay more money than your papa has got? It wouldn't be very pleasant to be turned out of the house."
"I don't think he'd ever do it," said Cherry.
"I declare, Cherry, I think you are in love with the man," said Augusta.
"If I ain't I know who was," said Cherry.
"As for love," said Mrs. Tappitt, "we all know who is in love with him,—nasty little sly minx! In the whole matter nothing makes me so angry as to think that she should have come here to our dance."
"That was Cherry's doing," said Augusta. This remark Cherry noticed only by a grimace addressed specially to her sister. A battle in Rachel's favour under present circumstances would have been so losing an affair that Cherry had not pluck enough to adventure it on her friend's behalf.
"But the question is,—what are we to do about the lawsuit?" said Mrs. Tappitt. "It is easy to see from your papa's manner that he is very much harassed. He won't admit him as a partner;—that's certain."
"Oh dear! I should hope not," said Augusta.
"That's all very well," said Martha; "but if the young man can prove his right, he must have it. Mamma, do you know what Mr. Honyman says about it?"