“Would you tell me if you knew?”
“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t?”
She laughed and said, “That’s fine. No one’s said
anything yet. How long do you suppose we can keep this up?”
“All afternoon,” Mason told her, his lips unsmiling, but his eyes twinkling.
“That’s what I was afraid of. Tell me, Mr. Mason, did Mother tell you about Dad’s giving up his job and never going back to the office?”
“What gave you that impression?” Mason asked.
“Well, you see,” she said, “Moms is nice, but rather naive, as so many of the older generation are. The last few days, whenever she’s been standing by the rail and talking to you, there’s been a sudden silence when I come along. Now, that’s poor technique. As one of the precocious younger generation, I know you’re discussing something you don’t want me to hear, and I think it concerns Dad and our sudden influx of wealth.”
“Will you kindly tell me what has put that idea in your head?” Mason asked.
She sighed and said, “Yes, I guess you can keep it up all afternoon. I’m trying to question you, Mr. Perry Mason, but so far you’re asking all the questions in response to my questions, and I’m giving all the information in response to your questions.”