This time the definite dismissal in the words pierced Mary's sensitive skin. She got up, said quietly, "Thank you very much, Miss Elinor," and left the room.

61

Elinor sat quite still, staring ahead of her. Her face was quite impassive. There was no clue in it as to what was going on in her mind. But she sat there, motionless, for a long time.

Elinor went at last in search of Roddy. She found him in the morningroom. He was standing staring out of the window. He turned sharply as Elinor came in.

She said, "I've got through it all! Five hundred for Mrs. Bishop - she's been here such years. A hundred for the cook and fifty each for Milly and Olive. Five pounds each to the others. Twenty-five for Stephens, the head gardener; and there's old Gerrard, of course, at the lodge. I haven't done anything about him yet. It's awkward. He'll have to be pensioned off, I suppose?"

She paused and then went on rather hurriedly: "I'm settling two thousand on Mary Gerrard. Do you think that's what Aunt Laura would have wished? It seemed to me about the right sum."

Roddy said without looking at her, "Yes, exactly right. You've always got excellent judgment, Elinor." He turned to look out of the window again. Elinor held her breath for a minute, then she began to speak with nervous haste, the words tumbling out incoherently:

"There's something more. I want to - it's only right - I mean, you've got to have your proper share, Roddy."

As he wheeled round, anger on his face, she hurried on: "No, listen, Roddy. This is just bare justice! The money that was your uncle's - that he left to his wife - naturally he always assumed it would come to you. Aunt Laura meant it to, too. I know she did, from lots of things she said. If I have her money, you should have the amount that was his - it's only right. I - I can't bear to feel that I've robbed you - just because Aunt Laura funked making a will. You must - you must see sense about this!" 62

Roderick's long, sensitive face had gone dead white. He said, "My God, Elinor, do you want to make me feel an utter cad? Do you think for one moment I could - could take this money from you?"

"I'm not giving it to you. It's just - fair."

Roddy cried out, "I don't want your money!"

"It isn't mine!"

"It's yours by law - and that's all that matters! For God's sake, don't let's be anything but strictly business-like! I won't take a penny from you. You're not going to do the Lady Bountiful to me!"

Elinor cried out, "Roddy!"

He made a quick gesture. "Oh, my dear, I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm saying. I feel so bewildered - so utterly lost."

Elinor said gently, "Poor Roddy."