"Yes, she is alive and well."
"I thought perhaps she might have died, and left you in possession of her property."
"Not yet. I don't think she has any intention of dying for a considerable number of years."
"That is awkward. Has she done nothing for you?"
"We have a free home here, and she makes me a moderate allowance, but she is not disposed to part with much money while she lives."
"I am sorry for that. I thought you might be able to help me to some money. I am terribly hard up."
"You always were, no matter how much money you had."
"I never had much. The next thing is, how does the old lady feel toward me?"
"I don't think she feels very friendly, though nothing has passed between us respecting you for a long time. She has very strict notions about honesty, and when you embezzled your employer's money you got into her black books."
"That was a youthful indiscretion," said Warner, smiling. "Can't you convince her of that?"