"You were where? At the inquest? Oh! What was the attraction? And how did you get in?"
"I believe the public are admitted to inquests. They're supposed to be public inquiries, aren't they? Also, I had a friend at court; and, anyhow, I wasn't the only person there. I suppose Miss Patterson is a rich woman now."
"When Miss Patterson was here last night I thought there was an air about her as if she considered you her property; when Miss Austin was here this evening I thought the same thing of her. Odd, wasn't it?"
"The only thing odd about it, my dear Mabel, is that you should have such a vivid imagination. Both these ladies are old friends of mine."
"Old friends, are they? In what sense? In the sense that I'm an old friend?"
"No one could be nicer than you have been."
"I see. Have they been nice to you like that?"
"My dear Mabel, in what quarter sits the wind? Where's Mrs. Joyce?"
"Mother's out; she's going to stay at aunt's till to-morrow. You and I are alone together."
"Good business! Come and give me a kiss."
"There is something queer about the wind! What's wrong? Is there anything wrong?"
"I'm trying to tell you. It's not easy, but I'm going to tell you if you'll give me a chance."
"You've some bee in your bonnet. Let me get it out."
"You give me a chance, I say! I tried to tell you last night, but I couldn't. But I'm going to tell you now; I've got to!"
"Have you? Couldn't you tell me a little closer, instead of standing all that distance off?"
"I wouldn't come nearer for--for anything."
"Yes, after all these years! How long have you been here?"
"More than four years you have been here."
"So long as that? And it hasn't seemed a day too long."
"I was a kid in short skirts when you first came."
"And a very pretty kid you were. Almost as pretty even then as you are now."
"Rodney, have you ever cared for me a little bit?"
"Shown it? You call that showing it? My word!"
"What is the matter with the girl? I've never seen you like this before."
"Suppose--something was going to happen?"
"Well, isn't something always going to happen? What especially awful thing are you afraid is going to happen?"
"Suppose--something was going to happen--to me--because of you? Suppose--I was going----"
"But--you're not sure. How can you be sure? You know, my dear Mabel, how you do fancy things. I'll bet ten to one that you're mistaken."