“Yes—in less! In four years! I want you to take back what you said.â€�
“I didn’t say anything, Saidee. I didn’t—â€�
“Well, you were going to!�
Fay smiled and only increased her anger. “You thought something,� she said staunchly. “You have no right to ask me who paid for this house or the things in it.�
“I take it back,� said Fay, glancing toward the electric-stove. “The water’s boiling, Saidee,� he added. “Let’s start all over again. I’m beginning to like this little kitchen.�
Saidee Isaacs shaded her eyes with her lashes and switched off the current. A Japanese pot came out of a closet. Two cups followed it. Tea was made as Fay watched her moving swiftly over a sideboard upon which she sliced tongue, bread and a heaping mound of old English fruit cake.
“Bring up a chair!� she commanded. “Bring two!�
He moved the chairs over the tiling and offered her one. She drew it to her side, turned and stared at his hair. “I noticed that first,� she said, softening her voice slightly. “It was brown when you went in.�
“It was! It would have been white instead of gray if you hadn’t seen Sir Richard. Ten years of that hell! Look at my nails.�
“I noticed them,� she said, meeting his eyes. “Do you think there is anything in crime?�