When they returned to the library half an hour later Bill and Pete Stearns were standing there, the latter rendering a vivid narrative of the great battle between Kid Whaley and the Trenton Bearcat. Aunt Caroline walked directly over to the valet.
"I understand you are a Stearns," she said.
Pete made an acknowledgment.
"A grandson of Eliphalet Stearns?"
"Yes, madam."
"Don't 'madam' me. You have done quite enough of that. A son of Grosvenor Stearns?"
"Yes, Aunt Caroline."
She glowered at him for an instant, then her lips began to twitch. But she rallied herself.
"Your grandfather and your father were enemies of my house," she said. "They were both very bad men. I still think so."
Pete wore a pained look, but made no answer.