"The question is," said Nellie, "to whom does the furniture belong?"
"To me, of course."
"Have you what the lawyers call a good title?"
"I hope you are not going to be impertinent, Miss Blisland," said Percy sharply.
"I know Mrs. Drake left the furniture to Mr. George," she continued, thankful of her promise not to mention those numerous scraps of paper.
"And I bought the stuff from him."
"With Miss Sophy's money."
"What has that to do with you? I can borrow from my aunt, and of course she does not expect me to repay the money."
"But I expect it. I manage her affairs, and I tell you plainly this borrowing must cease. I shall not allow Miss Sophy to pay you a single penny for the furniture, because it is hers already," said Nellie, with all the coldness of a magistrate sentencing a poacher.
"The little devil! You had better keep your mouth shut, or I may be tempted to say something rude. I don't want to forget I am talking to a young woman. You have just got to do what I tell you," blustered Percy.