“I insist upon your telling me. Ah, you know what has taken place.”
“Well, well, ma’am, please don’t be angry with me for it. You did give the bell such a peal last night, you quite startled me.”
“Then you do know everything?”
“Well, yes, ma’am; you see, I couldn’t help it. Me and poor Becky always knew that you were to be the new missis here from the day you came.”
“No, it is impossible. I must go away from here at once.”
“Lor’, my dear, don’t you take it like that! Why, what is there to mind? Master is one of the dearest and best of men; and think what a chance it is for you, and what a home.”
“Oh, silence; don’t talk like that! I tell you it is impossible.”
“Ah, that’s because you’re thinking about Master being a bit older than you are. But what of that? My poor dear man was twice as old as me, and he never had but one fault—he would die too soon.”
“I tell you it is impossible, my good woman,” cried Kate, imperiously. “I have been entrapped and deceived, and I call upon you, as a woman, to help me.”
“Yes, ma’am, of course I’ll help you.”