"What would you do if you was in power?" asked Susan. "What could you do for that matter?"
"I'd strike," replied the elder. "I'd strike for a maid-of-all-work first. I'd tell your father I was his daughter. He wants reminding."
"He's terrible fond of me, however. He looks to me if he scratches his finger."
"And right to do so, seeing he's got no wife. I'm not saying he's not a very fine man indeed, because we all know he is; but I'm saying you ought to help him to be finer still and open his eyes to a fault he could cure if he was minded to. What do you think, Mr. Palk?"
But, at a direct question, Thomas subsided. His caution thrust upon his private feelings and kept him quiet. He shook his head.
"Least said, soonest mended, ma'am. I wouldn't go for to offer an opinion—though I might have my views. A man's a right to his views, haven't he?"
Melinda snorted.
"See how they take sides against us!" she said.
But this Thomas would not allow.
"I won't take no sides, though you're made of sense and—and—well—there 'tis."