''Now, ain''t that nicer?'' said Mrs Sucksby.
John''s tears had dried, but his face was dark—darker on one cheek than on the other, where Mrs Sucksby had hit him. He looked at Gentleman, but nodded to me.
''She went for Miss Lilly just now,'' he said. ''Said she''d come to kUl her.''
Gentleman gazed at Maud, who had bound up her bleeding fingers in a handkerchief. He said, ''I should like to have seen it.''
John nodded. ''She wants a half of your fortune.''
''Does she?'' said Gentleman, slowly.
''John, shut up,'' said Mrs Sucksby. ''Gentleman, don''t mind him.
He is only making trouble. Sue said a half, but that was her passion talking. She ain''t in her right mind. She ain''t—'' She put a hand to her brow, and looked a little queerly about the room—at me, and at Maud. She pressed her fingers against her eyes. ''If I might only,'' she said, ''have a moment, for thinking in!''
''Think away,'' said Gentleman easily, sourly. ''I am longing to know what you will come up with.''
''So am I,'' said Mr Ibbs. He said it quietly. Gentleman caught his eye, and raised a brow.