"Well?" said Loding at last.
"No."
Loding took a mouthful of coffee.
"Squeamish?"
"I'm not an actor."
Something in the unaccented phrase seemed to sting Loding and he flushed a little.
"You're not asked to be emotional, if that is what you mean. There is no filial devotion to be simulated, you know. Only dutiful affection for an aunt you haven't seen for nearly ten years-which one would expect to be more dutiful than affectionate."
"No."
"You young idiot, I'm offering you a fortune."
"Half a fortune. And you're not offering me anything."