“I don’t know you. What is your name?” asked Dulcibel suspiciously.
“Marian, if you please, ma’am.”
“Marian what?”
“My father is Mr. Cairns of Cairns farm?”
“Cairns! Yes, I know. Where is my husband?”
“Lying down in another room,” Marian said, cautiously.
“Lying down! What do you mean?” asked Dulcibel, with considerable sharpness. “What nonsense! Gone to bed, I suppose.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Marian.
“Why is he in another room?”
Marian was sorely puzzled how to answer. “You had hysterics, ma’am,” she said at length.