“What now? Sir, you may well say what now! I have heard all about it—Colin has told me all. Miss Sowersoft has nearly killed him, and now wants to show, because you are here, how kind and good she is!”
So saying, Fanny resolutely set about making the arrangement which Miss Sowersoft had contemplated with her own hands.
“Why—what—who is this young woman?” asked the doctor, somewhat astonished at the unexpected scene which had just passed before him.
“Nobody!” replied Miss Sowersoft; “she is only Mrs. Clink's servant, and a pert impudent hussy, too, as you have heard.”
At the same time she looked in the doctor's face, and endeavoured to smile contemptuously, though it “came off” in such a manner as would inevitably have frightened anybody less accustomed than was Dr. Rowel to witness the agonies of the human countenance.
“Yes, sir,” added Fanny, “I am only a servant; but I am a woman, whether servant or mistress. I nursed this lad when I was but six years old myself, and have taken care of him ever since. She shall not drown him, though she thinks she will!”
“Me drown him!” exclaimed Miss Sowersoft in feigned amazement.
“Yes,” replied Fanny, “you drown him. If you had not half murdered him in that trough, he would never have been here now.”
“Do let us go down stairs, doctor,” observed Miss Sowersoft; “such rubbish as this is not worth hearing.” And she made her way towards the door.
“Where is that letter?” cried Fanny eagerly, fearful lest the lady to whom she addressed herself should escape.