"You see, Miss Howes?" he said.
"One moment, Daniels," broke in Kendrick, sharply. "You haven't answered
my question yet. Just where do you come in on this?"
"I--I--" began Daniels, but once more Emily interrupted.
"Are you--" she cried. "Tell me; are you going to help that man force my
cousin into giving up her home?"
Again John smiled. "Well, to be frank," he said, "since it IS her home
and she doesn't wish to sell it I can't for the life of me see how she
can be forced into selling, with or without my valuable aid. Miss Howes,
I--"
"Stop! You persist in treating this affair as a joke. It is NOT a
joke--to my cousin, or to me. Did you tell that man you would help him?"
"No."
"I knew it! I was certain of it! Of course you didn't!"
"Pardon me, Miss Howes," put in Daniels. "We have not heard all yet.
Kendrick, do I understand that you told your cousin and--er--benefactor
that you would NOT help him in his infamous scheme?"
John's patience was nearing its limits. He smiled no more.
"I don't know what you understand, Daniels," he said, crisply. "Your
understanding in many matters is beyond me."
"But did you say you would not help him?" persisted Emily.
"Why no, not exactly. He did not wait to hear what I had to say. He
seemed to take my assistance for granted."
Daniels laughed scornfully.
"You see, Miss Howes?" he said again. Then, turning to Thankful: "Mrs.
Barnes, I met Mr. Holliday Kendrick on the street just after he had come
from the interview with his--er--attorney.
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