"She doesn't look after me," said Brodrick stiffly, and left the room.
Jane turned to Gertrude.
"Was that your idea, or his?"
"How can any idea be mine," said Gertrude, "if I always agree with Mr. Brodrick? As a matter of fact it was the Doctor's."
"Yes. It was very like him."
"He spoke to Mr. Brodrick yesterday. And I am glad he did."
"Why are you glad?"
"Because it was taken out of my hands. I don't want you to think that I interfere, that I put myself forward, that I suggested this arrangement about the children. If it's to be, you must understand distinctly that I and my ideas and my wishes have nothing to do with it. If I offered myself it was because I was compelled. Mr. Brodrick was at his wits' end."
("Poor dear, I drove him there," said Jane.)
"It's put me in a very difficult position. I have to appear to be taking everything on myself, to be thrusting myself in everywhere, whereas the truth is I can only keep on" (she closed her eyes, as one dizzied with the perilous path she trod) "by ignoring myself, putting myself altogether on one side."