But when she at last got her mother to Lazarus, that gentleman confessed aggressively that he had been only the agent.
"I don't see why you shouldn't let the poor old man come back," he said. "The other person died a year ago, only nobody liked to tell mother, she was so bristly and snappy."
"Ah," interrupted Mrs. Brill exultantly, "then Heaven has heard my curses. May she burn in the lowest Gehenna. May her body become one yellow flame like her dyed hair."
"Hush!" said Salvina sternly. "God shall judge the dead."
"Oh, of course you always take everybody's part against your mother." And Mrs. Brill burst into tears again and sank into the new easy-chair.
"I do think mother's right," said Lazarus sullenly. "Why do you stand in her way?"
"I?" Salvina was paralyzed.
"Yes, if it wasn't for you—"
"Mother, do you hear what Lazarus is saying? That I keep you from father!"
"Father! A pretty father to you! He waits till she's dead, and then he wants to creep back to us. But let him lie on her grave. He'll swell to bursting before he crosses my door-step."