The young couple rose in dismay at the sight of this uncomfortable woman, who was always like a stormy petrel. Sophy was the first to recover herself, and immediately took up arms on behalf of Kit. "It's Saturday," she said coolly, "and if Kit works all the week, he has a right to one holiday, I suppose, during the seven days."
Mrs. Beatson sat down and glared. "How do you expect me to welcome you as a daughter-in-law when you behave toward me in this impertinent manner?"
"I don't mean to be impertinent," said Sophy, sorry for the agonized expression on her lover's face; "but you are so unreasonable."
"Unreasonable!" shrieked the visitor. "It is other people who are unreasonable, if you only knew all."
"Knew all what?" asked Kit nervously.
"I've been insulted and discharged. Me, a lady born and bred and----"
"Discharged!" echoed Sophy, interrupting. "Do you mean to say that you have left The Big House?"
"I leave on Monday," said Mrs. Beatson, getting out her handkerchief and beginning to sob. "Oh, the insults that I have received! Mr. Hendle must be thrashed, and I have come to ask my son to thrash him."
"Me!" Kit bounced out of his seat in dismay. "Why, Mr. Hendle is my best friend, and I owe everything to him."
"That's right. Go against your mother," wailed Mrs. Beatson. "You are just like your father, who was always a coward and a bully."