“It’s possible,” Jasper agreed, and Ledward fancied Mrs. Carson had unconsciously given him his cue. “I had meant the post for Kit. For one thing, he’s my relation and an engineer. I thought he might by and by carry on the forge, but I acknowledge I’m sometimes cheated.”
He began to talk about something else and Mrs. Haigh supported him, but the effort cost her much, and when the others joined she stopped and mused. The economy she was forced to practice jarred, and Netherdale was a dreary spot; she liked to dine at expensive hotels and mix with fashionable people. The music, the cultivated voices, and the women’s jewels excited her, and she had thought, for a day or two, to follow her bent and forget that she was poor.
Mrs. Haigh knew she had social talents, and had she the others’ chance, she could make her mark. Poverty was an awkward obstacle, and in order to mend her broken fortunes she had planned to use Evelyn’s beauty. Evelyn was young, and it looked as if she were romantic, but Mrs. Haigh knew she had inherited much from her. As a rule, she saw where her advantage was, and in puzzling circumstances her judgment was unconsciously, and perhaps instinctively, sound. For example, she had refused to let Kit go.
Now, however, Mrs. Haigh felt Kit had let her down. She doubted if Jasper were often cheated, but he had cheated her and calm was hard. All the same, Mrs. Haigh’s pluck was good, and she tried to be philosophical. Since the plan from which she had hoped for much would not work, she must make another. She was not yet beaten, and she thought Jasper did not know his antagonist.
After dinner, Jasper and Alan went off for a smoke. When Alan lighted a cigarette he frowned.
“You are a business man and perhaps I ought not to meddle; but do you think you can trust Harry?”
“Ledward is your relation.”
“He’s my wife’s relation,” Alan rejoined. “I don’t imply that he’d rob you; but, if he’s going to be useful, you must give him your confidence....”
“To some extent, that is so. Well?”
Alan hesitated. His habit was to hesitate and he said awkwardly: “Where you have keen competitors, your servants must be stanch. If I carried on a business like yours and engaged Harry, I’d use some reserve.”