“My dear, do you know what I heard the other day? That as a very natural result of the way she goes on and what with all the money she burns and the way she keeps that house open always, trying to get people to come to it, you know how it is, and of course no one will, she is in the hands of the moneylenders. Deeply involved.”
“Well, I don’t know whether I should altogether believe that, but it is very interestin’.”
“Isn’t it? All it means is that she will be misappropriating funds as soon as you are out of the way. And you know I’ve no head for figures.”
“Yes; well, I don’t know.”
There was a long pause while outside the night drew in softly, peering through the windows at the fire and the pools of light kept by the lamps. Mabel Palmer was lying back in her chair worn out by what she had had to say, and Mrs. Haye was looking vacantly at Greylock. Presently she roused herself.
“Shall we have tea now, Mabel?” And she got up and rang the bell.
*****
“Is everything in?”
“All that I’m going to take, yes.”
“Well, I must go and see about the labels.” Mamma hurried out again.