"Or exactly how they might have
affected you."
Oliver set his jaw, rather. He was hardly going to discuss what Ted might
or might not owe him with Mrs. Severance. Hardly.
"No, I suppose you wouldn't," she said uncannily. Then she spoke again
and this time if the tone was airy it was with the airiness of a defeated
swordsman apologizing for having been killed by such a clumsy stroke of
fence.
"But I have some--comprehension--of just what you did. And besides--I seem
to have a queer foible for telling the truth just now. Odd, isn't it, when
I've been lying so successfully all evening?"
"Very successfully," said Oliver, and, to his astonishment, saw her wince.
"Yes--well. Well, I don't know quite why I'm keeping you here--though there
was something I wanted to say to you, I believe--in a most serious and
grandmotherly manner too--the way of a grown woman as Sargent would put
it--poor Sargent--" She laughed.
"Oh yes, I remember now. It was only that I don't think you
need--worry--about Mr. Billett any more. You see?"
"I think so," said Oliver with some incomprehension.
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