"Yes, I expect she is." Rowley sounded sympathetic. "Damned hard lines on her. I wish I could help a bit - but I can't."

"I can't stand her borrowing money from David!"

"Hold hard, old girl. It's Rosaleen who actually has to fork out the cash. And after all, why not?"

"Why not? You say, 'Why not,' Rowley?"

"I don't see why Rosaleen shouldn't come to the rescue once in a while. Old Gordon put us all in a spot by pegging out without a will. If the position is put clearly to Rosaleen she must see herself that a spot of help all round is indicated."

"You haven't borrowed from her?"

"No - well - that's different. I can't very well go and ask a woman for money. Sort of thing you don't like doing."

"Can't you see that I don't like being - being beholden to David Hunter?"

"But you're not. It isn't his money."

"That's just what it is, actually. Rosaleen's completely under his thumb."

"Oh, I dare say. But it isn't his legally."

"And you won't, you can't - lend me some money?"

"Now look here, Lynn - if you were in some real jam - blackmail or debts - I might be able to sell land or stock - but it would be a pretty desperate proceeding. I'm only just keeping my head above water as it is. And what with not knowing what this damned Government is going to do next - hampered at every turn - snowed under with forms up to midnight trying to fill them in sometimes - it's too much for one man."

Lynn said bitterly:

"Oh, I know! If only Johnnie hadn't been killed -"

He shouted out:

"Leave Johnnie out of it! Don't talk about that!"

She stared at him, astonished. His face was red and congested. He seemed beside himself with rage.

Lynn turned away and went slowly back to the White House.

"Can't you give it back, Mums?"

"Really, Lynn darling! I went straight to the bank with it. And then I paid Arthurs and Bodgham and Knebworth. Knebworth was getting quite abusive. Oh, my dear, the relief! I haven't been able to sleep for nights and nights. Really, Rosaleen was most understanding and nice about it."

Lynn said bitterly:

"And I suppose you'll go to her again and again now."

"I hope it won't be necessary, dear. I shall try to be very economical, you know that. But of course everything is so expensive nowadays. And it gets worse and worse."

"Yes, and we shall get worse and worse. Going on cadging."

Adela flushed.

"I don't think that's a nice way of putting it, Lynn. As I explained to Rosaleen, we had always depended on Gordon."

"We shouldn't have. That's what's wrong, we shouldn't have." Lynn added, "He's right to despise us."

"Who despises us?"

"That odious David Hunter."

"Really," said Mrs Marchmont with dignity, "I don't see that it can matter in the least what David Hunter thinks. Fortunately he wasn't at Furrowbank this morning - otherwise I dare say he would have influenced that girl. She's completely under his thumb, of course."