"Did Burton say why your mistress had to stay?" he asked the parlormaid.
"No, sir; he said no more than give me Meddem's note."
Mr. Alison strode across the room in irritation, and nearly tripped over Mac, who squealed in alarm.
"Confound the dog! Take him downstairs, Pinkney," he called to the retreating maid. "He's getting much too old to be allowed all over the house. And what is the matter with the gas to-night?"
"It do seem to burn a bit dim, sir. I think Mac has gone and hid under your chair, sir."
"Come out of that, you brute," Mr. Alison shouted angrily.
There was a low growl in response.
"Did you hear him, Pinkney?"
The maid was stricken by awe.
"He deliberately growled at me."