"Show her in." Turning round again, he went on: "Yes—Howard's stepmother. She's out there now. She wants to see you. She wishes to be of service to you. Now, you must conciliate her. She may be of great use to us."
Annie's face expressed considerable doubt.
"Perhaps so," she said, "but the door was slammed in my face when I called to see her."
"That's nothing," answered the judge. "She probably knows nothing about it. In any case, please remember that she is my client——"
She bowed her head and murmured obediently:
"I'll remember."
The door of the office opened and Alicia entered. She stopped short on seeing who was there, and an awkward pause followed. Judge Brewster introduced them.
"Mrs. Jeffries, may I present Mrs. Howard, Junior?"
Alicia bowed stiffly and somewhat haughtily. Annie remained self-possessed and on the defensive. Addressing the banker's wife, the lawyer said:
"I told Mrs. Howard that you wished to speak to her." After a pause he added: "I think, perhaps, I'll leave you together. Excuse me."