‘Indeed, I could not help it,’ said Phyllis.
‘Stuff and nonsense! It is very well that you have not killed Ada, and I think that would have made you sorry.’
Phyllis with difficulty mentioned Hannah’s desire that a surgeon should be sent for: Maurice went to look for Ben, and she followed him. Then he began asking how she had done the mischief.
‘I do not know,’ said she, ‘I do not much think I did it.’
‘Mind, you can’t humbug me. Did you not say that you touched the powder?’
‘Yes, but—’
‘No buts,’ said Maurice, making the most of his brief authority. ‘I hate false excuses. What were you doing when it exploded?’
‘Coming into the room.’
‘Oh! that accounts for it,’ said Maurice, ‘the slightest vibration causes an explosion of that sort of rocket, and of course it was your bouncing into the room! You have had a lesson against rushing about the house. Come, though, cheer up, Phyl, it is a bad business, but it might have been worse; you will know better next time. Don’t cry, Phyl, I will explain to you all about the patent rocket.’
‘But do you really think that I blew up Ada?’