"Rot! You must have brandy."
"I'd prefer milk."
"You do as you're told," replied Perigal.
Fortunately, the inn had a spirit licence, so Mavis sipped the stuff that Perigal brought her, to feel better at once. She then soaked a piece of biscuit in the remainder of the brandy, to force it down Jill's throat. Next, she turned to Perigal.
"Have you had any?" she asked.
"What do you think?"
"I don't know how to thank you for saving Jill's life."
"Rot!"
"If you won't let me thank you, perhaps you'll let Jill."
Mavis held Jill in Perigal's face, when, to the girl's surprise, Jill growled angrily.