And I had to agree with him. I sometimes wondered whether any occurrence would effect an alteration in her.
She proved to be greatly annoyed by Miss Katherine's announcement. Miss Katherine had told me of her intentions, but under the bond of secrecy, and when she disclosed the fact that she had obtained a position as clerk in a bank, you might have thought, from Mrs. Hillier's deportment, that a lasting and intolerable disgrace had come upon the family. Nothing ever upset Miss Katherine, and even in our palmy days, she had always been the one to keep a serene temper; she listened now to her mother's severe criticism, and explained that the matter had been kept quiet for the reason that it was possible a failure might have occurred over the examination.
"The news is bound to reach Chislehurst," bewailed Mrs. Hillier. "And when we eventually go back there, I can't see, for the life of me, how it is to be explained."
"We must put it down, mother, to temporary insanity on my part."
"That wouldn't answer," she declared seriously, "because everyone is aware that there have been no signs of it on either your father's side or mine."
"Hadn't thought of that," admitted Miss Katherine.
"Weston," said Mrs. Hillier, appealing to me, "is it, or is it not a fact that in many cases a girl behaving in this way would, by some parents, simply be cut off with a shilling?"
"If you wanted to do so, ma'am," I said, "you'd have to borrow it."
"Not very tactful of you, surely, to throw my misfortunes in my face."
"Has to be done, now and again, in order that you should be reminded of them."