"Thank you," replied Mr. Brown suavely, "I think that is all I want to know. We needn't detain you any longer, Mr. Walkingshaw."
It struck Heriot that this was a funny way for the agreeable Mr. Brown to treat him in his own house. He assumed the air of a host at once.
"Then we'll go up and have some tea. Come along, Mr. Brown."
"I think," said his visitor politely, "that possibly your son and I had better have just a word or two with this lady first, if you'll permit us."
"Certainly, my dear sir; just come up when you're ready."
As he went upstairs, it suddenly struck him as rather odd that her connection by marriage and legal adviser should refer to Madge as "this lady"; and also that she should have sat so silently through a conversation which primarily concerned herself. But then such rum things did happen in this amusing world that it was never worth while worrying.