"What can I do, Amelia?" he cried, wringing his hands. "I sat up last night—all night—waiting—hoping that you'd come back. All my anxiety about my brother's estate has been on your account, and now you've left me without a word. Everything I've said or done has been for your sake. It's damned ingratitude to leave me like this!"
"It's not half what you deserve," she retorted.
"Tod, you can put everything right—persuade her to come back."
The young man looked at him indignantly.
"Do you think she'd go back to you after the way you've treated that girl?" he cried hotly.
His stepfather looked aggrieved. Peevishly he said:
"Why, three physicians have attested to the fact that we are doing the best we can for her."
"It's a damnable conspiracy!" cried Tod, with increasing fury.
"It isn't my fault," whined Jimmy. "If I'm mistaken—so are they." Almost in a whisper, he went on: "It was Cooley's idea—his idea from the very beginning. Of course, if she's not responsible she ought to be watched. All I wanted him to do was to contest the will. We've gone so far now, we've got to go on——"