"I observed that I had been to see the boys, Aunt Bettina. They both send their love to you."
"I daresay they do. Especially that impudent Dick."
"Mrs. Keen also desired to be remembered," continued Sara.
"You can send back my thanks for the honour," ironically spoke Miss Davenal. "The last time she was at Hallingham she passed our house without calling."
"She spoke of it today, Aunt Bettina. She nodded to you at the window, she said, and pointed towards the station: she wished you to understand that she was pressed for time."
Aunt Bettina made no answer. She was knitting vehemently. Apparently Sara was not getting on very well.
"Mr. Wheatley has been here, aunt."
"You need not tell it me. He has been dodging in and out like a dog in a fair. Anybody but he might have respected the quiet of the house on the very day after its poor master had been taken from it. He came in and went out again, and then came in again--with you. As he had come, he might have been polite enough to ask for me. Neal said he wanted you. Early times, I think, to begin showing people you are the house's mistress!"
It was not a promising commencement. Sara could only apply herself to her task in all deprecating meekness.
"Aunt Bettina, he came to speak about the future. I daresay he thought you would not like to be intruded upon today, for he wished me to talk things over with you. He was asking when we--you--when we should be ready to vacate the house."