“There is little in the house, I suppose?”
“Little, indeed, sir, but some linen and a trifle of silver and a good store of wine in the cellars.”
“Of whose providing?”
The man did not answer. The other repeated his question in a more peremptory tone. Already—he could not have said why—a prejudice was forming in his mind against this patient-spoken servant.
“Of whose providing? I say. Why—don’t you know?”
“It has always been here, sir. It was here before I came.”
“And when was that?”
The answer followed so soft that the baronet could scarcely distinguish it.
“Speak out, sir!” said he angrily. “When was that? I ask.”
The caretaker cleared his throat.