In the earnestness of his argument Rockwell evidently did not realise the gruesomeness of his language.
Aunt Mary shuddered.
"No!" she said. "I will not have George's body smuggled about the city."
She paused, looking strangely at Merriam. None of the others, not even Rockwell, ventured to speak.
"Alicia told me, I believe, that you have no near relatives?" she said presently.
"None nearer than cousins," Merriam replied.
For a long minute more Aunt Mary stared at him. She closed her eyes, opened them, and looked again. Then her lips shut tight for a moment in an expression of momentous decision. She leaned forward.
"You have the Norman blood in you," she said to Merriam, "on your mother's side. You are fine stuff. We have all seen that. We will make a Norman of you, if you will. You shall take George's place--to save his name!"
"But----" Merriam began.
But Rockwell cut in: