"I saw her three weeks ago. She is very much hurt by your behaviour."
"Broken-hearted, I should think!"
"Well, she's queer enough, I grant you, and not over-motherly, but—she is your mother when all's said and done."
The girl watched the kettle boil and said nothing.
"Tommy is coming on wonderfully with his violin, isn't he?" pursued Carron.
"Yes."
"Does he come here often?"
She looked up, frowning. "You know perfectly well that he has never been here," she returned shortly. "Do you like your tea strong?"
"Yes, please, no milk. Well—you must miss him."
"And you know perfectly well that I see him twice a week at Joyselle's."