Patty's face flushed with righteous indignation.
"It ISN'T underhanded!" she exclaimed, "You don't understand! I don't want you PERMANENTLY, but only for a day, or two days at most,—because our cook has left."
"Arrah, ma'am, you said your cook was Susan Hastings! Yer a quare leddy, I'm thinkin', an' yer husband here, is another! Sthrivin' to entice away a cook as is satisfied wid her place, and who manes honest by her employers!"
Farnsworth was grinning broadly at the assumption of his and Patty's relationship, but Patty was enraged at the implication of underhandedness.
"He ISN'T my husband!" she cried, "and I don't want a cook for myself, but for another lady!"
"Are ye runnin' an intilligence office, belike?"
"Here!" cried Bill, sharply. "Don't you speak like that to that lady! Now, you listen to me. We are both visitors at Miss Galbraith's. Her cook left suddenly, and we want you to come and cook for us, two days if you will,—but one day ANYWAY! See? Do you understand that? You're to go over to Miss Galbraith's now, with us, and cook dinner tonight. After dinner, you may do as you like about staying longer. We'll pay you well, and there's no reason whatever why you shouldn't oblige us."
At first the Irishwoman looked a little intimidated at Bill's manner and his gruff tones, but in a moment she flared up.
"I'll do nothin' of the sort! I'm left here in charge of this place, an' here I'll shtay!"
"Is there no one else to guard the place?"