"Were you there then?"
"Oh, yes. I know the Akeds pretty well."
"The doctor says he'll not get better. What do you think?"
"I'm afraid it's a bad lookout."
"Very sad for poor Miss Aked, isn't it?" she said, and something in the tone made Richard look up at her.
"Yes," he agreed.
"Of course you like her?"
"I scarcely know her—it's the old man I know," he replied guardedly.
"Well, if you ask me, I think she's a bit stand-offish."