Aubrey wondered why his thought turned to his brother-in-law. Whenever he felt uncomfortable, or found himself in a distressing situation, his mind usually busied itself with comment on Basine. Anything distressful that happened, no matter how remote from the judge, always seemed to remind Aubrey of the man and recall to him the fact that he was a bounder and an ass and entirely unlikeable. He entered his home in a dejected mood. Voices attracted him. Fanny was talking to a man. He paused before the opened door. "Oh, hello Aubrey," Fanny greeted him. She stood up. Aubrey noticed she looked pale. Her eyes seemed to follow his observation. "Isn't it hot though? I'm almost dead. I'm awfully glad you came home. You remember Mr. Ramsey, don't you?" "How do you do," said Aubrey. "Yes, I think--" "At mother's. Long ago. I'm sure you met him. He's an old friend of the family." "How do you do, sir," Ramsey echoed, rising. The men shook hands. Aubrey stared at the dapper, high-strung figure with its flushed face and cool attire and tried to remember the man. "If you'll pardon me," he smiled. "Certainly, Aubrey." "See you again, I hope," said Aubrey. Ramsey assented with a curious enthusiasm, accenting the situation uncomfortably. Fanny frowned and watched her husband walk to the stairs. As his steps died the two returned to their chairs. "Oh it's hot," Fanny murmured. "Can't you go away till next month. I'm almost beside myself." Her voice was low. Ramsey listened with disdain. "And besides," she continued in a whisper, "I've given you all I can get. I haven't any more money." "Money!" Ramsey snorted. "I'm not talking about money. I'm not asking for any." He stood up and frowned indignantly at her. "I know, but--" "I just dropped in for a talk." He said this with a meaning smile and lighted a cigarette. He was very casual. She watched him helplessly. "Oh, why beat around the bush. I'm sick of it. I can't stand it. How much do you want? I've given you three thousand. Surely that's...." "I don't want any, thank you," he answered with mysterious sarcasm. "Not a nickle." "Then what do you want?" Her voice was rising despite her fear of being heard. "This is the fourth time you've ... you've hounded me." "Oh, I hound you?" Again the mysterious sarcasm. "If you'd only tell me what you want." He smiled with the air of a man phenomenally at ease and returned to his chair. "Nothing. Not a thing. I just dropped in for a chat, that's all."