Chapter 99

He thought that he detected a sneer quivering under the curves of those thin nostrils. “You are an exacting beggar—you know. Mary has a life of her own. She’s not your slave.” And then—of course—the brother looked plaintive. “Yes, rub it in. I’m a parasite, a damned nuisance. You’d like me out of it.” Lance picked up the poker and prodded the fire. “Shut up, Merris. Don’t talk like that—about her.” Nevertheless, Merris did respond to the stimulus. Here was this fellow who was writing a book and bringing over chapte…