"Why, yes, I'm afraid it is," answered Cora, rather reluctantly.
"Lily, have you any explanation to make?" he asked.
"None at all," replied the housemaid, looking like white granite.
"Cora," said Crane, "you did not by any chance say anything that could have led Lily to believe you meant to give her the hat?"
Miss Falkener smiled.
"No," she said. "My mother would not encourage such a generous impulse in regard to a French hat."
"Then, Lily," said Burton, "take off the hat, and give it back to Miss Falkener, and go and pack your things and be out of the house in an hour."
"You must have her luggage searched," said Tucker.
"Give the hat back!" cried Mrs. Falkener. "What good will that do? Do you suppose that I would ever let Cora put it on her head again, after that woman has worn it? She may as well keep it now."
"I shall," answered Lily. "It's mine."