said Mr. Wickfield.

‘Thank’ee,’ said the other. ‘Much obliged. I don’t want to look a gift-horse in the mouth, which is not a gracious thing to do; otherwise, I dare say, my cousin Annie could easily arrange it in her own way.

I suppose Annie would only have to say to the old Doctor — ’

‘Meaning that Mrs. Strong would only have to say to her husband — do I follow you?’ said Mr. Wickfield.

‘Quite so,’ returned the other, ‘ — would only have to say, that she wanted such and such a thing to be so and so; and it would be so and so, as a matter of course.’

‘And why as a matter of course, Mr. Maldon?’