Madam Spoll's face grew stern. "That's no way to talk, Frank. I've been the same as a mother to you, in times past, ever since you went into business, in fact. It looks like you was getting too good for us."
"Why, what's the matter now?"
"Oh, you're so stand-off, nowadays."
He laughed uneasily. "You always said I was spoiled."
"Well, who's spoiling you now? Miss Payson?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know, well enough! Lord, why don't you come out with it! It's all in the family, ain't it? You've got her on the string, all right, ain't you?"
"I have not." The frown grew deeper in his forehead.
"H'm!" She drew a long breath. "Well, that means we'll have to begin at the beginning, then, I expect. I had a sort of an idea that you had got her going, and wouldn't mind saying so, but if you're going to go to work and be mysterious, why, I'll have to talk straight business." She pointed at him with her pudgy finger. "Now, see here, she's been writing to you, anyways. You can't deny that."
"What makes you think so?"