Reluctantly Ann desisted from fidgeting with the bowl of snowdrops, and Brett nodded approval.
“Yes, I’m sure you’ve done your level best for them” he observed ironically.
She sat down, clasping her hands tightly together in her lap, while Brett remained standing on the hearthrug, looking down at her with quizzical amusement.
“I—I wanted to ask you—” she began, then halted abruptly and made a fresh start. “I wrote to you because—because—” Once again she came to a dead stop.
“Well?” he queried. “I’m afraid I haven’t grasped it yet.”
Ann pulled herself together and made another effort.
“It’s about Tony,” she said bluntly.
Brett’s eyes narrowed, but he made no comment. He waited quietly for her to continue.
“He’s told me—I’ve found out—that he owes you a large sum of money.”
He nodded.