Mrs. Belswin, leaning forward, held up her forefinger and shook it gently at the lawyer.
"It won't do, my friend; I tell you it won't do. You've tried bullying, you've tried whining; neither of them go down with me. If you have any business to do you've got to put it aside for me. If you have to see clients you can't and won't see them till I choose. Do you hear what I say, you legal Caliban? I've come here for a purpose, Mr. Dombrain--that, I believe, is your present name--for a purpose, sir. Do you hear?"
"Yes, I hear. What is your purpose?"
She laughed; but not mirthfully.
"To tell you a story."
"I don't want stories. Go to a publisher."
"Certainly. I'll go to the Scotland Yard firm. Hold your tongue, sir. Sneering doesn't come well from an animal like you. I have no time to waste."
"Neither have I."
"That being the case with both of us, sit still."
Mr. Dombrain stopped his wriggling and became as a stone statue of an Egyptian king, with his hands resting on his knees.