“I'm sorry, miss. I'd do any thin' to oblige, miss; but I've got to do as I'm bid.”
“Who employs you?”
“Master, miss—Master Wiggins.”
“Do you want to keep this situation?”
“Keep this situation?”
“Yes. You don't want to be turned out, do you?”
“Oh, no miss.”
“Well, obey me now, and you shall remain. I am the mistress of Dalton Hall, and the owner of these estates. Wiggins is the agent, and seems disinclined to do what I wish. He will have to leave. If you don't want to leave also, obey me now.”
All this seemed to puzzle the porter, but certainly made no impression upon his resolve. He looked at Edith, then at the ground, then at the trees, and finally, as Edith concluded, he said:
“Beg pardon, miss, but orders is orders, an' I've got to obey mine.”