Lydia said quickly:
‘My dear, the family will see to that, of course.’
George Lee said:
‘You will be able to make your home here with Alfred—eh, Alfred? We—er—you are our niece—it is our duty to look after you.’
Hilda said: ‘We shall always be glad to have Pilar with us.’
Harry said:
‘She ought to have her proper share. She ought to have Jennifer’s whack.’
Mr Charlton murmured:
‘Must really—er—be going. Goodbye, Mrs Lee—anything I can do—er—consult me at any time…’
He escaped quickly. His experience enabled him to predict that all the ingredients for a family row were present.
As the door shut behind him Lydia said in her clear voice:
‘I agree with Harry. I think Pilar is entitled to a definite share. This will was made many years before Jennifer’s death.’
‘Nonsense,’ said George. ‘Very slipshod and illegal way of thinking, Lydia. The law’s the law. We must abide by it.’
Magdalene said:
‘It’s hard luck, of course, and we’re all very sorry for Pilar, but George is right. As he says, the law is the law.’
Lydia got up. She took Pilar by the hand.
‘My dear,’ she said. ‘This must be very unpleasant for you. Will you please leave us while we discuss the question?’
She led the girl to the door.
‘Don’t worry, Pilar, dear,’ she said. ‘Leave it to me.’
Pilar went slowly out of the room. Lydia shut the door behind her and turned back.
There was a moment’s pause while everyone drew breath and in another moment the battle was in full swing.
Harry said:
‘You’ve always been a damned skinflint, George.’
George retorted:
‘At any rate, I’ve not been a sponge and a rotter!’
‘You’ve been just as much of a sponge as I have! You’ve battened on Father all these years.’
‘You seem to forget that I hold a responsible and arduous position which—’
Harry said:
‘Responsible and arduous my foot! You’re only an inflated gasbag!’
Magdalene screamed: ‘How dare you?’