“You heard me say that? Nonsense!”
“But I did, auntie; and, do you know, I could tell you something so funny about her.”
“You could, child?” cried the little woman fiercely.
“Yes, and about Mr Richard Linnell, too.”
Miss Clode caught the girl by the arm, and held her tightly while she seemed to be gasping for breath.
“About May Burnett? about Richard Linnell?”
“Yes, auntie, for do you know the other night as I was going down by the lower cliff to see if Fisherman Dick had—”
“Hush!” cried Miss Clode, pressing her arm so sharply that the girl winced. “Here she is.”