"To do what?" she repeated shrilly. But she heard very well, Sara was close to her and speaking in low clear tones.
"When we shall be ready to leave the house?"
"Had he not better turn us out of it today?" was the retort of the angry lady. "How dare he show this indecent haste?"
"Oh, aunt! You know it is only in accordance with papa's will that he has to do it. You heard it read. You read it to yourself afterwards."
"Yes, I did read it to myself afterwards: I could not believe that my brother Richard would have made such a will, and I chose to satisfy myself by reading it. Everything to be sold, indeed; as if we were so many bankrupts? Hold your tongue, Sara! Do you think I don't grieve for the loss of the best brother that ever stepped! But there are matters a-gate that I don't understand."
"There's a necessity for the things being sold, Aunt Bettina."
"He told me so before he died: you need not repeat it to me. Where's the money to be paid to?"
"And therefore Mr. Wheatley is desirous that there should be no unnecessary delay," Sara continued, a faint colour tinging her cheek at the consciousness of evading her aunt's question. "He does not ask us to go out at once, Aunt Bettina: he only wishes to know when we shall be ready to go out."
"Then tell him from me that I will be no hindrance," retorted Miss Bettina, her temper rising. "Tomorrow--the next day--the day after--any day he pleases, now, or in a month to come. I can get a lodging at an hour's notice."
"Aunt, why are you so angry with me?"