"I doubt it, and you must remember that, because she loved Fay, she is accepting less than half of what she could earn elsewhere to help me with Fay's children." "Of course, if you import sentiment into the matter you must pay for it." "But I fear that's just what I don't do." "My dear Jan, you must forgive me if I venture to think that both you and your father, and even Fay, were quite absurd about Meg Morton. She's a nice enough little girl, but nothing so very wonderful, and as for her needing a holiday after a couple of months of the very soft job she has with you ... that's sheer nonsense." There was silence for a minute. Hugo took another chocolate and said, "You know I don't believe in having children all over the place. The nursery is the proper place for them when they're little, and school is the proper place--most certainly the proper place, anyway, for a boy--as soon as ever any school can be found to take him." "I quite agree with you as to the benefit of a good school," Jan said sweetly. "I am painfully conscious myself of how much I lost in never having had any regular education. Have you thought yet what preparatory school you'd prefer for Tony?" "Hardly yet. I've not been home long enough, and, as you know, at present, I've no money at all...." "I shall be most pleased to help with Tony's education, but in that case I should expect to have some voice in the school selected." "Certainly, certainly," Hugo agreed. "But what I really want to know is what you propose to do to help me to attain a position in which I _can_ educate my children as we both should wish." "I don't quite see where I come in." "My dear Jan, that's absurd. You have money--and a few hundreds now will start me again...." "Start you again in what direction?" "That's what we've got to thresh out. I've several propositions to lay before you." "All propositions will have to be submitted to Mr. Davidson." "That's nonsense. You must remember that I could contest Fay's will if I liked--it was grossly unfair to leave that two thousand pounds away from me." "She left it to her children, Hugo, and _you_ must remember you spent eight thousand pounds of her money." "_I_ didn't spend it. Do you think _I_ benefited? The investments were unfortunate, I grant you, but that's not to say I had it." "Anyway that money is gone." "And the sooner I set about making some more to replace it the better, but I must have help." "It takes every penny of my income to run things here." "Well, you know, Jan, to be quite candid, I think it's rather ridiculous of you to live here. You could let this place easily and for a good rent. In a smaller house you'd be equally comfortable and in easier circumstances. I'm not at all sure I approve of my children being brought up with the false ideas they will inevitably acquire if they continue to live in a big place like this." "You see, Hugo, it happens to be my house, and I'm fond of it."