It had been the one test of her powers of endurance
of which she had not felt assured.
"That will give us time, too, to get on our feet again. Morty is very
hopeful of this new business. I shall go out very little, and as Joan will
be the natural center of attraction it will be understood that her friends,
not mine, have the run of the house."
Maria nodded. "It's just the thing for Joan. Really a godsend. She worries
me more than all three of the boys. They are east at school for the winter
and of course don't come home for the Christmas holidays. If you want to be
housekeeper you may. I don't know anything I should like better than a rest
from ordering dinner, after all these years."
"Perfect! I'll also take care of my room and Morty's. Then I'd be sure I
wasn't really imposing on you. You're a dead game sport, Maria, and I'd
like to drink your health."
CHAPTER XV
I
Mortimer looked nonplussed when Alexina informed him at dinner of the
immediate solution of their difficulties. He detested Tom and Maria Abbott;
there were certain things he could forget in his aristocratic wife's
presence, far as she had withdrawn, but never in theirs. Moreover he feared
Abbott. He was as keen as a hawk; an unconsidered word and he might as well
have told the whole story. Well, he never talked much anyhow; he would
merely talk less.
When Alexina asked him if he had any better plan to propose he was forced
to shrug his shoulders and set his lips in a straight line of resignation.
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