"Yes, she has made no attempt to hide it. But, I'd really like to know why I come in for such a large share of her disapproval. To forbid you to have anything to say to me, now, is really—— If she weren't such a poor, helpless little old body, I'd have it out with her. Have you any idea what the trouble is?"
Katherine flushed. "It's all too absurd. A man by the name of Ballard was bailiff to her father, when she was a girl."
"I know that. My grandfather. What then? A bailiff's is a perfectly good job. Look at Slawson. He's all right, isn't he? But, anyway, things haven't stood still since those days. I'm not a bailiff. I'm a physician. What's the matter with that?"
"Nothing—only——"
"Only—what?"
"She says——" Katherine hesitated.
"Out with it," urged Dr. Ballard.
"She says you've no practice. No income."
He laughed aloud. "How the deuce does she know?"
"You're so young."