“Yes.”
“There is nothing whatever. Nothing to conceal from them,” he added in a lower tone.
“Then a false impression has undoubtedly been given, and I advise you to set it right. By the way, when Miss Capponi wrote to ask the question, why didn’t you explain?”
“Bice has never asked anything of the sort?” said Clive angrily, and yet uneasily.
“Are you certain? Just reflect. Last October it was.”
“I tell you she has never done anything of the sort. Why on earth should she?”
Jack got up and put his hand on his shoulder.
“I dare say it sounds queer to you, but I give you my word, I’m not asking from idle curiosity. Your sister did write to you last October. Look here, can you make up your mind to tell me your actual trouble? You owe money, I dare say. Much?”
“Much to me,” Clive said reluctantly. “I don’t know what you’d call it. Fifty pounds.”
“And to whom?”