Mr Farrell smiled sardonically.
“At last! I knew it must come. It would not be Mollie if she had any scruples about asking for what she wanted. No, my dear, I never lend. It is against my principles to throw good money after bad. At the risk of appearing a monster of cruelty, I must refuse to interfere in your stepfather’s affairs. There are still six weeks of your visit here to run, and I shall be pleased to relieve him of your support for that time; otherwise—”
“We are much obliged, but we have decided to go home. You wished to be able to judge our characters, and you have had enough time to do so, with very unsatisfactory results, if we are to judge from yesterday’s conversation!” cried Ruth, with a sudden burst of indignation. “If you can believe us capable of prying into your desk, you will surely not be sorry to get rid of us altogether!”
The old man looked at her long and thoughtfully.
“Yes,” he said quietly, “it’s a pity—a very great pity—that the two things should have happened together. It is as unsatisfactory to me as to you that you should leave before the culprit has been discovered. But it is useless now to argue the point if your minds are already made up. Taking everything into consideration—the peculiar circumstances with regard to my will, your original acceptance of my invitation—do I still understand that you wish to leave me to-day?”
“It is our duty to go home. Yes, we have quite decided,” said Ruth.
The old man’s eyes turned towards the younger girl.
“And you, Mollie?”
“Yes, uncle; I’m sorry, but we can’t leave mother alone just now.”
Mr Farrell sat silent, his eyebrows lowered, his head hanging forward on his chest, so that it was difficult to see the expression of his face; but the pose of the figure suggested weariness and disappointment. Suddenly he stretched out his hand and touched an electric bell. A servant appeared almost immediately, and was asked a hasty question—