"I'm sorry, but my feelings ran away with me—she was such a pretty youngster—but of course it's fearfully sad. I had to walk from the station, as I couldn't get a conveyance: the carrier can fetch my box. What's the news? Has Percy been?"
"He came, saw me, and fled," replied the girl more amiably.
"I knew he was a coward, but I didn't suppose you could frighten any one."
"He wanted Miss Sophy to buy the furniture. I told him it was hers already. He blustered and threatened; I stood like a tor. He was so rude that I lost my temper; and when I am angry I can frighten anyone. He yielded and ran. The news," continued Nellie, "is that we are going to run too."
"For a change of air. I'll come with you."
"A permanent change. We are going back to Drivelford. The house is taken, and the problem before me is how to move the furniture."
"So you wrote asking me to come back and do the dirty work?"
"If you like to put it that way."
"Aunt Sophy has no right to leave without giving notice. She is my tenant for life. If she breaks her contract I shall claim the furniture—it is mine really, as Percy didn't give me a fair price, and now he's gone to Tasmania he can't interfere. I have always regarded the furniture as belonging to me in spite of Percy's interference. Of course, when I say to me, I mean to us."
"Don't worry," she said. "Mr. Taverner has signed a deed of gift making over everything in the house to Miss Sophy; and, as she has signed a will in my favour, the furniture should come to me eventually—if Kezia and the Mudges don't grab it all."