She had never before detected that manner, that hardness in a voice always so even in quality.
"What is it ?" he repeated.
She thought a moment, putting aside for the time his manner, which she could not comprehend; then: "I wanted to ask you a question--a rather ignorant one, perhaps.

It's about your Amalgamated Electric Company.

May I ask it, Howard ?" After a second's stare, "Certainly," he said.
"It's only this: If the other people--the Inter-County, I mean--are slowly ruining Amalgamated, why don't you stop it ?" Quarrier's eyes narrowed.

"Oh! And who have you been discussing the matter with ?" "Mr.Plank," she said simply.

"I asked him.