He thought Richard had caught up the piece of leather he was paring, in order to deceive him.
“Indeed, sir, I was.”
“You were not. You were reading!”
“I was not reading, sir. I was busy with the last of my day's work.”
“Do not tell me you were not reading: I heard you!”
“You did hear me, sir; but you did not hear me reading,” rejoined Richard, growing angry with the tone of the young man, and with his unreadiness to believe him.
Many workmen, having told a lie, would have been more indignant at not being believed, than was Richard speaking the truth; still, he was growing angry.
“You must have a wonderful memory, then!” said Lestrange. “But, excuse me, we don't care to hear your voice in the house.”
The same moment, he either discovered, or pretended to discover, Barbara's presence.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Wylder!” he said. “I did not know he was amusing you! I did not see you were in the room!”