“Why, the man that came to the gate one morning, and talked to me, and I talked to him, and that nasty nurse ran out and caught us, and carried me in, and gave me such a hiding, and all for nothing.”
“A hiding! What words the poor child picks up! But I don't understand why nurse should beat you.”
“For speaking to the man. She said he was a bad man, and she would kill me if ever I spoke to him again.”
“Oh, it was a bad man, and said bad words—to somebody he was quarreling with?”
“No, he said them to nurse because she took me away.”
“What did he say, Reginald?” asked Lady Bassett, becoming very grave and thoughtful all at once.
“He said, 'That's too late; I've seen the parson's brat.'”
“Oh!”
“And I've asked nurse again and again what it meant, but she won't tell me. She only says the man is a liar, and I am not to say it again; and so I never did say it again—for a long time; but last night, when Rolfe the writer said he knew everything, it struck my head—what is the matter, mamma?”
“Nothing; nothing.”