“That was forty-five years ago,” he went on, “and the fellows that were on top then are underneath now, and vice versa. But Delia Ryan’s just about the same. There’s no shifting, or changing, or not knowing her own mind about her. She’s one of the strongest women in California; one of the biggest women anywhere.”
This was not what Berny had expected, and was more than she could subscribe to. The distinguished position of her guest made her want to be polite, but there was a limit to her powers of diplomatic agreement. A silver blotter stood on the desk, and she took it up and began absently rolling it back and forth over her letter.
“She seems to be a great friend of yours?” she said, watching the blotter with lowered eyes.
“She’s all that,” he answered heartily. “One of the greatest. She is to any one who knows her well. She’s a big nature; nothing picayune or small about her. A true friend and a fair enemy. She’s the most generous woman I ever knew.”
“We haven’t seen much of her generosity,” said Berny. Her words did not come with suddenness, but slowly, with a measured and biting deliberation.
“You’ve got your chance to see it now,” answered the old man.
Berny looked at him, a side glance from the corner of one long, dark eye. Her face was perfectly grave and the eyes fixed on him were imbued with a considering, apprehensive expectancy. He looked very large, squeezed into the small chair, but he seemed oblivious to the fact that there was anything ridiculous in his appearance, as well as to his own discomfort. The easy good-humor had gone from his face. It was alert, shrewd, and eagerly interested. Berny knew now that he had not come to pay his respects to Dominick’s wife. A sensation of internal trembling began to possess her and the color deepened in her face.
“How have I got my chance?” she said. “I guess if you know the Ryans so well you must know that they won’t have anything to do with me.”
“They’ll have a good deal to do with you if you’ll let them,” he answered.
There was a momentary pause, during which—now conscious of battle and menace—Berny strove to control her rising excitement and keep her head cool. He watched her with a glance which had the boring penetration of a gimlet.