"I'm sure he hasn't," Mary said. Across the room Britton looked at her and shook her head.
"It's all part of a plan," Aunt Charlotte said. "To put me away, my dear.
Dr. Draper's in it with Victor and Emilius.
"They may say what they like. It isn't the piano-tuner. It isn't the man who does the clocks. They know who it is. It isn't that Marriott man. I've found out something about him they don't know. He's got a false stomach. It goes by clockwork.
"As if I'd look at a clock-tuner or a piano-winder. I wouldn't, would I,
Britton?"
She meditated, smiling softly. "They make them so beautifully now, you can't tell the difference.
"He's been to see me nine times in one week. Nine times. But your Uncle
Victor got him away before he could speak. But he came again and again.
He wouldn't take 'No' for an answer. Britton, how many times did Mr.
Jourdain come?"
Britton said, "I'm sure I couldn't say, Miss Charlotte." She made a sign to Mary to go.
Aunt Lavvy was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs. She took her into her bedroom, Mamma's old room, and asked her what Aunt Charlotte had said. Mary told her.
"Poor Mary—I oughtn't to have let you see her."
Aunt Lavvy's chin trembled. "I'm afraid," she said, "the removal's upset her. I said it would. But Emilius would have it. He could always make Victor do what he wanted."