"Thank you—no," replied Paula, with quiet dignity. "I—I prefer to stand." Significantly she added: "It won't take us very long to say what we have to say."
Jimmy muttered something under his breath, and Mr. Cooley got ready for action. Taking the floor, he began pompously:
"Miss Paula, your uncle wants you to—— It is his earnest desire that bygones—bygones—and that the past be forgotten."
"We're not in court now, Mr. Cooley," answered the girl quickly. "If my uncle has anything to say to me I prefer to hear it directly from him. He does not need an attorney."
The lawyer shrugged his massive shoulders and sat down.
"Oh, just as you please," he said.
Jimmy came forward.
"Of course, of course," he said quickly. "I want you to—to come home—Paula. Your aunt also wishes you to come—she is eager to welcome you——"
Paula's face did not change its expression. She had made up her mind. Nothing could shake her from that determination. Still, it was perhaps just as well to find out just what the other side had to propose. Calmly she said:
"That much I understand, but I want to know exactly what you expect of me so that there may be no misunderstanding in the future. What is my exact position according to your idea——"