I'm completely at their mercy.

For Mother's sake I try to be patient and put up with it all.

It's the only home I've got, and when you're dependent and haven't a cent to bless yourself with, you can't pack up and telephone for a cab and get out, can you?
But it can't go on forever.

Some day I shall answer back, and sparks will fly, and I shall borrow money from the coachman, who's my only friend, and go to Alice Palgrave and ask her to put me up until Mother comes back.

I'm a queer case, Martin--that's the truth of it.