ss
Howes asks me I will answer, of course."

"Mr. Kendrick--" began Thankful. Emily interrupted.

"Wait, Auntie," she said. "He must answer me first. Mr. Kendrick, when
that man came to you with his 'orders,' as you call them, you must have
had some opportunity to speak. Why didn't you refuse at once?"

For the first time John hesitated. "Well," he said, slowly, "for one
reason I was taken completely by surprise."

"So was Aunt Thankful, when he came to her. But she refused."

"And, for another, there were certain circumstances which made it hard
to refuse point-blank. In a way, I suppose Mr. Kendrick was justified in
assuming that I would work for his interests. I accepted his retaining
fee. You remember that I hesitated before doing so, but--but I did
accept, and I have acted as his attorney since. I--"

"Stop! I did not ask for excuses. I ask you, as Mr. Daniels asked, are
you for my cousin or against her?"

"And I ask you what is Mr. Daniels' warrant for asking me anything?"

"Answer my question! Will you fight for my cousin's rights, or have you
sold yourself to--to this benefactor of yours?"

John flushed at the repetition of the word.

"I have tried to give value received for whatever benefactions have come
my way," he said, coldly. "This matter may be different; in a way it
is. But not as Mr. Holliday Kendrick sees it. When a lawyer accepts a
retaining fee--not for one case but for all cases which his client may
give him--he is, by the ethics of his profession, honor bound to--"

"Honor!" scornfully. "Suppose we omit the 'honor'."

"That is not easy to do. I AM my cousin's attorney. But, as Mrs. Barnes'
friend and yours, I--"

Emily stamped her foot. "Friend!" she cried. "I don't care for such
friends. I have heard enough. I don't wish to hear any more. You were
right, Mr. Daniels. I apologize for doubting your word. Aunt Thankful,
you must settle this yourself. I--I am through. I--I am going. Please
don't stop me."

She was on her way to the door of the dining-room. Heman Daniels called
her name.

"One minute, Miss Howes," he said. "I trust you will not forget you have
one friend who will be only too glad to work for Mrs. Barnes' interests
and yours. I am at your service."

"Thank you, thank you, Mr. Daniels. I--I have no doubt we shall need
your services. But please don't--"

John Kendrick was at her side.

"Miss Howes--Emily--" he pleaded. "Don't misunderstand me."

She burst out at hi