Maggie approached the hearth.
“I think I ought to have a stove too,” she said pleasantly.
“Well, why don’t you?” he replied. “I can get it for you any time.” If Clara had envied his stove, she would have envied it with scoffing rancour, and he would have used sarcasm in response.
“Oh no!” said Maggie quickly. “I don’t really want one.”
“What’s up?” he repeated. He could see she was hesitating.
“Do you know what Clara and auntie are saying?”
“No! What now? I should have thought they’d both said enough to last them for a few days at any rate.”
“Did Albert say anything to you?”
“What about?”
“Well—both Clara and auntie said I must tell you. Albert says he ought to make his will—they all think so.”