"Well then, you had better tell her to do so. Frankly I shan't be sorry if she takes your advice. Amateurs are more bother than they are worth in my line of work. But I can't urge her to bolt!"
"Don't you feel responsible for her safety? A girl out here alone——"
"She came of her own free will, as far as I know, and was handed over to me by the Charitable Relief Fund Committee. I didn't ask for her. But now she's here I consider she should take the rough with the smooth like the rest of us. I will leave you to settle the question."
With a nod and an exasperating smile of unsympathetic comprehension Miss Abigail stumped off to her tent.
Miss Baker approached. "What has happened?" she asked. "You look peevish. Don't cry!"
"I've been telling Miss Abigail she ought to send you away at once."
"And are you so miserable because she has refused or consented? Why should I be sent away? What have I done?"
"Cholera has started among the people," he told her bluntly, "and you must pack up and be off, unless you want to add to our anxieties!"
Could he believe his eyes? Instead of the torrent of lofty expostulation he had expected, and hoped successfully to combat, the girl simply showed him the tip of her tongue. "There!" she added defiantly after this vulgar exhibition.