The same idea occurred at once to both Wilhelmina and Macheson.
“You are going down to the village, Mrs. Foulton?” Wilhelmina asked gravely.
“I’m going down to have a bit of talk with Mr. Stephen Hurd, madam,” she answered grimly. “I’d be glad to clear away as soon as convenient.”
Wilhelmina turned round in her chair, and laid her hand upon the woman’s arm.
“Mrs. Foulton,” she said, “Mr. Macheson and I are going to see him at once. Leave it to us, please.”
Mrs. Foulton shook her head doubtfully.
“Letty’s my daughter, madam, thank you kindly,” she said. “I must go myself.”
Wilhelmina shook her head.
“No!” she said firmly. “You can go and see him afterwards, if you like. Mr. Macheson and I are going to see what we can do first. Believe me, Mrs. Foulton, it will be better for Letty.”
The woman was shaken and Wilhelmina pushed home her advantage.