'I didn't mean that, Mr Owen.'
'Gladys, tell me why that old Jones kissed you.'
'I—I—don't know. Because—because he is fond of me, Mr Owen.'
'That is no reason, Miss Gladys. If it was, somebody else would kiss you, too. Now I have an opportunity, I must ask you a few more questions. I beg you to understand that old Jones, who is so fond of you, put you under my especial care.'
'Oh, Mr Owen!'
'Oh, Mrs Snow! Now, tell me why you let that cunning man of the world, Colonel Vaughan, give you ten shillings? This has been on my mind for six or seven years, and I have never had an opportunity of getting it off before. You know if you won't have me for a lover, you may for a brother.'
'Colonel Vaughan offered me the money, Mr Owen, and I returned it to him. Who could have told you of that?'
'The boy who saw him give you some money, and picked up the half-sovereign you dropped.'
'He gave me money for poor Mr Lloyd, who was ill, and offered me the half-sovereign for myself, which I refused.'
'Why did you refuse it.'