"I didn't refer to that, Hugh," said Mrs. Saxon with dignity.
"No?"
"I referred to Neil's family affairs, and the fact that Colonel Everard has taken him up."
"Maggie home and behaving herself and no questions asked, Charlie shipped to Wells, and Neil going shooting twice with the Colonel?"
"Three times, Hugh."
"And that's what you call things going his way."
"Hugh, why should those two spend any time together at all? They hate each other, or I always thought so—that is, if a man like the Colonel could hate a boy like Neil. What does he want of Neil now? What does Neil want of him?"
"They don't tell me, Millie."
"But it's queer. It frightens me, Hugh. It's as queer as——"
"What?"