"Your niece told me I'd find you here, so I came right up.

Could I have a word with you outside ?" "Couldn't you have it here just as well," suggested Mr.Pyecroft--who somehow had imperceptibly taken on an air of mediocrity.

"We're all in the family, you know." "Mebbe it'd be better to have it here," agreed the cabinet-maker.

"You other two are living in the house, so I understand, because you're hard up; so your needing money may help what I'm after." He suddenly and visibly expanded with importance.

"When the time comes to put my cards on the table, I don't waste a minute in showing my hand.