“Nice girl,” observed Roger, when she had departed. “Who's the other one?”
“Violet Williams. She's engaged to Kenneth,” answered Antonia.
“Oh!” said Roger dubiously. He found that Violet was bowing slightly, and half rose to return this civil greeting. Sinking back again into his chair he became lost in thought, from which he presently emerged to say: “If Arnold's dead who gets all the money?”
“Oh, give me air!” besought Kenneth, beginning to tramp up and down again.
Antonia replied somewhat scornfully: “You know jolly well you get it. That's why we're so disgusted you've turned up.”
“Well, I thought I did,” said Roger. “I must say I could do with it. I was a bit shocked at the news at first, but I see it's not so bad. Mind you, I quite appreciate your point of view.”
“If you don't clear out of this damned quick there'll be another murder in the family!” Kenneth said through his teeth.
“Now, don't get worked up,” Roger advised him kindly. “You'll soon get used to me being back. When you've lived as long as I have you'll find it's extraordinary what you can get used to. And talking of clearing out, my idea was that I'd stay with you for a day or two, till I get my bearings.”
“No!” cried his half-brother and sister in unison.
“That's all very well,” said Roger, “but if I don't stay here, where am I going?”