The Man in Possession — page 80: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 75 His exuberant spirits and his flow of conversation were in strange contrast to his daughter’s grave face and comparative silence. In all his difficulties and embarrassments it always had seemed to her as if she was the criminal, while her father took up the role of the injured party. It was very odd how he managed to convey that impression—but perhaps no less odd than that peculiar irresponsible manner of his which seemed perpetually to deprecate any grave importance being attached to his actions, which threw them aside with all their difficulties and obligations as airily as a child might have thrown aside a toy. Kate never knew whether she blamed or envied him this capacity. But she knew only too well that a fear always lurked in her own mind as to what might be the result of this tendency to accept temporary relief, without the least consideration for the trouble it might entail. ‘ Father,” she said at last, “‘ you’ve not told me how you managed to pay off the bailiff, and—get this money. It was all so sudden.” ‘‘It was, my dear, very sudden, but none the less welcome, Kate. I’m sure you must allow that.” ‘Welcome enough, if——” ‘‘Now, now, Kate, no ‘ifs,’ and no gloomy faces or forebodings. It’s all right, and we've only got to enjoy ourselves. Sufficient unto the day, etc. You know, my dear——” | ‘*Still,” persisted Kate, ‘‘I should like to know.” ‘*So like a woman,” said her father, shaking his head reproachfully. “ Now, my dear, with all your | excellent sense and quiet habits of usefulness, and. COMicloe (Sri C(O)