"I'd rather have one Irish than—" began Murtagh, indignantly, his temper rising as usual in Mr. Plunkett's presence, but Winnie trod on his foot and reduced him to silence.
"We all know, sir, that you would rather anything which gives you an opportunity for contradiction," returned Mr. Plunkett, severely. "Perhaps if you had had as much trouble as I have had about the disappearance of this girl, you would prefer not to have the additional one of seeing your servants abandon their work and leave your house open to whoever chooses to enter."
Winnie nudged Murtagh again as a hint to remain silent, but a sense of justice to Biddy made him answer:
"Biddy didn't run away from her work. She didn't want us to come in."
"And I suppose you thought my house was like your uncle's garden, to be broken into at pleasure when you want something out of it. Bland has just been with me, and he tells me you have been taking apples again. If it were not for this unfortunate accident, I can assure you you should be punished as you deserve."
Murtagh made no answer. After a short silence Mr. Plunkett turned to Rosie and said, "Well, and what is the favor I am expected to grant?"
Poor Rosie felt that it was almost impossible now to ask it. She blushed and stammered, "I—I—at least—we—I mean—"
"Be so kind as to speak plainly. I do not understand what you are asking," said Mr. Plunkett.
Rosie looked as if she were going to cry, but Winnie in her clear voice said:
"We want you, please, to let Mrs. Daly off paying the two sovereigns she owes for her rent."