“I see. Why don’t you take him away?”
“He won’t come. It would be worse if I left him.”
“Do you know why Gladwyne tolerates Batley?”
“I don’t.” Bella looked up sharply. “What has that to do with it?”
Lisle thought it had a bearing on the matter, as the lad would have seen less of Batley without Gladwyne’s connivance.
“Well,” he countered, “what would you like me to do?”
“It’s difficult to answer. He’s obstinate and resents advice. You might, however, talk to him when you have a chance; he’s beginning to have a respect for your opinions.”
“That’s gratifying,” Lisle commented dryly. “He was inclined to patronize me at first.”
She spread out her hands.
“You’re too big to mind it! Tell him anything you can about disastrous mining ventures; but don’t begin as if you meant to warn him—lead up to the subject casually.”