Papa made me never was half what it should have been.”
“I know nothing about that,” said Jamie. “I have nothing to do with it. But I do know that there is a small fortune in the bees and the trees and the flowers of this property, and that its value depends upon the bees being watched, as many of them are swarming at the present time. There is honey that. must be removed to save the bees from starting robbing, and always in California the watering must be strictly attended to. In the event that what the Bee Master wished and intended can be substantiated before a court, I do not propose, for the sake of his partner, who is now mine, and for my own sake, to have value depreciate as it will if I step out and leave the place to the care of a stranger.”
Then the first really ugly streak showed in the disposition of the young woman. She laughed disagreeably.
“Well, there will be no question about your stepping out,” she said, “and about your stepping very speedily. There is not a court in the world that would cut off an only daughter and an only child and leave a man’s property to almost a perfect stranger. That would be a little bit too low. And since this house is Papa’s, I think I have every right to remain here.”
She turned toward the street and beckoned to the taxi man.
“Bring my trunk and bags,” she ordered.
The taxi driver shouldered a small steamer trunk, carried it into the house, and set it in the middle of the living room, placing upon it a suitcase and a dressing bag. He
