“Are you—” she cried. “Tell me; are you going to help that man force my cousin into giving up her home?”
Again John smiled. “Well, to be frank,” he said, “since it IS her home and she doesn't wish to sell it I can't for the life of me see how she can be forced into selling, with or without my valuable aid. Miss Howes, I—”
“Stop! You persist in treating this affair as a joke. It is NOT a joke—to my cousin, or to me. Did you tell that man you would help him?”
“No.”
“I knew it! I was certain of it! Of course you didn't!”
“Pardon me, Miss Howes,” put in Daniels. “We have not heard all yet. Kendrick, do I understand that you told your cousin and—er—benefactor that you would NOT help him in his infamous scheme?”
John's patience was nearing its limits. He smiled no more.
“I don't know what you understand, Daniels,” he said, crisply. “Your understanding in many matters is beyond me.”
“But did you say you would not help him?” persisted Emily.
“Why no, not exactly. He did not wait to hear what I had to say. He seemed to take my assistance for granted.”