Oh, if I wanted a detective I wouldn't get Jim
Cooley--at least, not any _more_!
[His attitude is thoroughly crestfallen.]
ETHEL [triumphantly, almost graciously]. I shall tell Lord Hawcastle
that you will be ready to take up the matter of the settlement the
moment his solicitor arrives.
PIKE. No, I wouldn't do that.
ETHEL [in a challenging voice]. Why not?
PIKE [doggedly]. Because I won't take up the matter of settlements with
him or any one else.
ETHEL [angrily]. Do you mean you cannot see what a humiliation your
interference has brought upon you in this?
PIKE. No; I see that plain enough.
ETHEL. Have you, after this, any further objections to my alliance with
Mr. St. Aubyn?
PIKE. It ain't an alliance with Mr. St. Aubyn that you're after.
ETHEL. Then what am I [pauses and lays scornful emphasis on the next
word] _after_?
[Illustration: "YOU'RE AFTER SOMETHING THERE ISN'T ANYTHING TO"]
PIKE [slowly]. You're after something there isn't anything to. If I'd
let you buy what you want to with your money and your whole life, you'd
find it as empty as the morning after Judgment Day.
[She turns from him, smiling and superior.]
You think because I'm a jay country lawyer I don't understand it and
couldn't understand _you_! Why, we've got just the same thing at home.
Pages:
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83