I've been to see him there. The question is--must
I stump up or not? What does the abstract spirit of justice require,
Perrott? Remember, I didn't benefit under my grandfather's will, and
I've no way of testing the truth of the story."
"I don't know much about the abstract spirit of justice," said Susan,
smiling complacently at the others, "but I'm certain of one thing--he'll
get his five pounds!"
As Mr. Perrott proceeded to deliver an opinion, and Evelyn insisted that
he was much too stingy, like all lawyers, thinking of the letter and not
of the spirit, while Mrs. Paley required to be kept informed between
the courses as to what they were all saying, the luncheon passed with no
interval of silence, and Arthur congratulated himself upon the tact with
which the discussion had been smoothed over.
As they left the room it happened that Mrs. Paley's wheeled chair ran
into the Elliots, who were coming through the door, as she was going
out. Brought thus to a standstill for a moment, Arthur and Susan
congratulated Hughling Elliot upon his convalescence,--he was down,
cadaverous enough, for the first time,--and Mr. Perrott took occasion to
say a few words in private to Evelyn.
"Would there be any chance of seeing you this afternoon, about
three-thirty say? I shall be in the garden, by the fountain."
The block dissolved before Evelyn answered.
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