He had looked up towards her with this phrase.
“Oh yes, Red Pottage” she said grasping hurriedly and looking attentive.
“Have you read that novel?”
“No. I imagined that you had because you lent it to Miss Dear.”
“Miss Dear has spoken to you of me.”
“Oh yes.”
“Of you she has spoken a great deal. You know her very well. It is because of your long friendship with her that I have taken courage to ask you to come here and discuss with me about her affairs.”
“I have known Miss Dear only a very short time” said Miriam, sternly gazing into the fire. Nothing should persuade her to become the caretaker of the future Mrs. Taunton.
“That surprises me very much indeed” he said propping his head upon his hand by one finger held against a tooth. He sat brooding.
“She is very much in need of friends just now” he said suddenly and evenly towards the fire without removing his finger from his tooth.