"We were to have stopped, but the new owner wants to raise the rent to nearly as much again."
"What used you to pay?"
She hesitated. Like many people whose position has forced them into the telling of countless lies, she was still tender of truth in trifles.
"No matter," he said. "I can guess the figure very easily, and nought's the shape of it."
A sinister foreboding flashed through her mind. It seemed impossible to suppose such an innuendo innocent. Miss Gollop had said many offensive things concerning her after Nathan's death; but few had believed them, and still fewer shown the least interest in the subject. It was absurd to suppose that Humphrey Baskerville would trouble his head with such a rumour.
"Your brother was generous to all," she answered.
"Why, he was. And if charity shouldn't begin at home, where should it?"
"He was very generous to all," she repeated.
"I've been seeing Mr. Popham to-day."
"He's a true kind man, and wishful to do what he can. The rent asked now for Undershaugh is too high, even in the good state we've made it. So I've got to leave."