He was an excellent companion for her, for his buoyancy turned the whole thing into fun.  She could not take it too seriously in his company.  They called at the Hotspur office and asked to see Mr. Wingfield.  He was engaged, but Mr. Waters, the secretary, a very fat, pompous man, came in to them.

‘I am very sorry,’ said he, ’very sorry, indeed, Mrs. Crosse, but it is too late for any compromise of the sort.  We have our costs to consider, and there is no alternative but for the case to go into court.’

Poor Maude nearly burst into tears.

‘But suppose that we were to offer—­’

‘To give you an hour to think it over,’ cried Jack.

Mr. Waters shook, his head despondently.

’I do not think that we should alter our decision.  However, Mr. Wingfield will be here presently, and he will, of course, listen to any representations which you may have to make.  In the meantime you must excuse me, as I have matters of importance to attend to.’

‘Why, Maude, you little Juggins,’ cried Jack, when the door was shut, ’you were just going to offer to pay their costs.  I only just headed you off in time.’

‘Well, I was going to inquire about it.’

’Great Scot, it’s lucky you’ve got a business man at your elbow.  I couldn’t stand that chap at any price.  A bit too hairy in the fetlocks for my taste.  Couldn’t you see that he was only bluffing?’

‘How do you know, Jack?’

’It was shining all over him.  Do you suppose a man has bought as many hairies as I have, and can’t tell when a dealer is bluffing?  He was piling it on so that when the next Christmas-tree comes along, he may find a soft job waiting for him.  I tell you you want a friendly native, like me, when you get into this kind of country.  Now ride this one on the curb, and don’t let him have his head for a moment.’

Mr. Wingfield had entered, and his manner was very different to that of the secretary.  He had great sympathy with the Crosses, and no desire to wash the Company’s dirty linen in public.  He was, therefore, more anxious than he dared to show to come to some arrangement.

’It is rather irregular for me to see you.  I should refer you to our solicitors,’ said he.

‘Well, we saw you when you came to Woking,’ said Maude.  ’I believe that we are much more likely to come to an arrangement if we talk it over ourselves.’

‘I am sure I earnestly hope so,’ Wingfield answered.  ’I shall be delighted to listen to anything which you may suggest.  Do you, in the first place, admit your liability?’

‘To some extent,’ said Maude, ’if the Company will admit that they are in the wrong also.’

’Well, we may go so far as to say that we wish the books had been inspected more often, and that we regret our misplaced confidence in our agent.  That should satisfy you, Mrs. Crosse.  And now that you admit some liability, that is a great step in advance.  We have no desire to be unreasonable, but as long as no liability was admitted, we had no course open to us but litigation.  We now come to the crucial point, which is, how much liability should fall upon you.  My own idea is, that each should pay their own costs, and that you should, in addition, pay over to the Company—­’