“To tell him that the time had come when I required his services no longer, and that he must go at once.”
“What! My keeper?”
“Mine, Robert,” said Mrs Rolph, firmly. “You forget the terms of your father’s will. You have your income; I have mine, with undisturbed possession of everything at The Warren while I live. You occupy the position of my guest when you are here.”
“Humph! all right. And so you have discharged Ben, eh? When does he go?”
“To-day.”
“Sharp practice, mother; and all because poor Judy is pretty.”
“And all because, as I told him, I wished to save—I will speak plainly, even in your cousin’s presence—a weak, vain girl from disgrace.”
“Humph! pretty plain speaking that, mother.”
“There are times when plain speaking is necessary, my son, and when strong action is required to save you from the consequences of a mad passion.”
“Rubbish!”