Courtney did not reply. She was pulling out the bows the flowing tie she was wearing under the loose collar of her shirt waist.
"I'll have Lizzie bring him back."
"No," said Courtney, and her eyes met his. "You will not interfere with Winchie. I do not interfere with your work."
"But you do!" Richard burst out. "It's your interfering that's making Gallatin so worthless."
She shrank back in her chair, hastily veiled her eyes. Now it was the cuffs of the shirt waist that were engaging her attention.
"You dislike him, I know," Vaughan went on. "But why do you treat him so badly?"
No answer. She could hardly believe that it had been so long since Richard had noted her and Basil. Besides, when had she ever treated him in a way that could be called badly?
"I am sure you treat him badly. Why?"
No answer.
"I asked you a question. Politeness would suggest——"