He seemed to find a certain pleasure in tantalizing her. "Aren't you curious to know how I found out your whereabouts?"
"I am not interested in that. Tell me your purpose."
"What other purpose could I have than to see my daughter after so many years? Is it permitted, my dear Sally, to ask after the health of your mother?"
"She is well; as well as can be expected. It is not your fault that she did not die years ago. She was four years getting over that trouble of hers. You laughed at her headaches, you remember. She was four years in Doctor Galen's sanitarium."
He waved his hand lightly, as of old. "A little misunderstanding, Sally, which I greatly regret. But four years of Doctor Galen! How did you manage to pay him?"
"That," replied Sally, "cannot possibly be any concern of yours."
"Ah, true. It is not any concern of mine. But is it not possible to see your mother? She is still my wife, I presume, and you are still my daughter."
"She is still your wife and I am your daughter. But you shall not see her if I can prevent it."
"And—I gather from the tenor of your remarks that you would resist any attempt at—er—reuniting a family long separated by circumstances."
Sally smiled disdainfully. "I am of age. As to my mother, I should resist. No court would compel it."