CHAPTER V

THE DEAD HAND


Audrey was wakened up that night, just after she had gone to sleep, by a
touch on the cheek. Her mother, palely indistinct in the darkness, was
standing by the bedside. She wore a white wrap over her night attire, and
the customary white bandage from which emanated a faint odour of
eau-de-Cologne, was around her forehead.

"Audrey, darling, I must speak to you."

Instantly Audrey became the wise directress of her poor foolish mother's
existence.

"Mother," she said, with firm kindness, "please do go back to bed at once.
This sort of thing is simply frightful for your neuralgia. I'll come to you
in one moment."

And Mrs. Moze meekly obeyed; she had gone even before Audrey had had time
to light her candle. Audrey was very content in thus being able to control
her mother and order everything for the best. She guessed that the old lady
had got some idea into her head about the property, or about her own will,
or about the solicitor, or about a tombstone, and that it was worrying her.
She and Miss Ingate (who had now returned home) had had a very extensive
palaver, in low voices that never ceased, after the triumphant departure of
Mr. Foulger. Audrey had cautiously protested; she was afraid her mother
would be fatigued, and she saw no reason why her mother should be