A quick false smile flitted across Berril’s face, and he rose. “Well, I really must be getting along, now. You must be almost ready for dinner, and I’ll have to make my train, you know.”

I knew. I also knew what Helen was going to say.

“Stu, why don’t you stay for dinner, as long as it’s so late? It’s foolish to rush back now!”

Usually he accepted. But I guess this time he caught the black look I tossed his way, because he smiled again and said, “Really, I mustn’t. Good night!” And then he was gone.

I gulped down the rest of my drink. “I wish you’d get rid of him before I get home,” I said. “I don’t like him and I never have.”

“Stu’s very helpful. He’s earned thousands for our family, Mike.”

“He hasn’t earned thousands for me!” I snapped back. “How much of that money do I see? Damn little! I’m just Mr. Helen Jesperson, that’s all.”

“Mike—”

“Mike,” I mimicked. “What are you going to say? How long is it going to be before my name at the bottom of a check means something?”

“You get all the money you need, Mike,” Helen said, coldly, “I’ve never denied you anything. But the terms of my father’s will specifically state that control of the estate is to remain in my hands. So dad had some quirks about money; so he opposed the marriage. What of it, Mike? Does it matter who signs the checks?”

“Yes. You could transfer the accounts just like that.” I snapped my fingers.

“You know I couldn’t. The will—”

“The will was filed five years ago. No one would be the wiser if we changed part of it now. What would they do, take the money away from us? There aren’t any other claimants.”

“Stu would never tolerate any such illegality, Mike. Please, dear, be satisfied with the arrangement as it stands. Don’t start the argument again.”

“Stu would never tolerate, eh? So we get rid of Stu! I’m tired of having him pussyfooting around the place looking at me as if I were a gardener who accidentally had wandered into the master’s quarters. And we don’t need a manager for the money. We have enough, don’t we? Let it sit there and gather interest. Why keep re-investing it? Why be greedy?”

Helen glared at me bitterly. “We’ve been through this a million times. Stu’s an old family friend; I couldn’t think of discharging him. And I’d never be able to think of my father’s memory again if I just let the estate lie fallow, after all his hard work to build it. Mike, let’s not quarrel tonight; I’m too tired. You get all the money you can possibly need.”