None the less, half an hour after dinner, Jasper found himself encountered by his sister in the garden, on her face a look which warned him of what was coming.
'I want you to tell me something, Jasper.

How much longer shall you look to mother for support?
I mean it literally; let me have an idea of how much longer it will be.' He looked away and reflected.
'To leave a margin,' was his reply, 'let us say twelve months.' 'Better say your favourite "ten years" at once.' 'No.

I speak by the card.

In twelve months' time, if not before, I shall begin to pay my debts.

My dear girl, I have the honour to be a tolerably long-headed individual.