Peg looked him all over and laughed openly. Then she turned to Ethel again, and then looked all around the room and appeared quite puzzled. Finally she asked Mrs. Chichester the following amazing question:
"Where's her husband?"
Ethel sprang to her feet. The blow was going to fall. She was to be disgraced before her family by that beggar-brat. It was unbearable.
Mrs. Chichester said in astonishment: "Her HUSBAND?"
"Yes," replied Peg insistently. "I saw her husband when I came in here first. I've been in this room before, ye know. I came in through those windows and I saw, her and her husband, she was—"
"What in heaven's name does she mean?" cried Alaric.
Peg persisted: "I tell ye it was SHE sent me to the kitchen—she and HIM."
"Him? Who in the world does she mean?" from Alaric.
"To whom does she refer, Ethel?" from Mrs. Chichester.
"Mr. Brent," said Ethel with admirable self-control. She was on thin ice, but she must keep calm. Nothing may come out yet if only she can silence that little chatterbox.