I heard them in the passage, and I opened the door for them, Annette coming in last.
"You sent for me madame?" she said in her smooth voice, gliding with catlike motion to Barbara's chair.
"I sent for you," I said.
"At your service, monsieur."
"It is like a scene in a drama," said Maxwell, with an attempt at jocularity. "Get to the action, John."
I handed the women their written notices of discharge, and gave them to understand that after the expiration of their month I would be no longer responsible for their wages.
"Take no notice of him," said Barbara, flushing up. "He is out of his senses."
With a nod she dismissed them, and they trooped out.
I turned to Annette and held out the discharge. She refused to take it, and it fluttered to the ground.
"I am in madame's service, monsieur."