The moment had come for Aggie's master-stroke, and she fixed her eyes keenly on Mrs. Brent to watch the effect of her words.
“He said he was at work in the garden, ma'am, when Master Jonas——”
“WHAT!” exclaimed Mrs. Brent, staring at the girl in dismay.
“He was at work in the garden, ma'am when Master Jonas——”
“What do you mean, girl? Who is Master Jonas?” asked Mrs. Brent, trying to conceal her agitation.
“Did I say Jonas, ma'am. La, what could I be thinking of? Of course I mean Master Philip.”
“What should have put the name of Jonas into your head?” demanded Mrs. Brent nervously.
“I must have heard it somewhere,” said Aggie, with a quick, shrewd look out of the corner of her eyes. “Well, Dan just asked the young master a civil question, and Master Philip, he snapped him up rude-like. Mrs. Brent I think you'd better not make any fuss about Dan. It wasn't so much his fault as the fault of Master Jonas—oh, dear! I beg pardon, I mean Master Philip.”
“Don't repeat that ridiculous name again, Aggie!” said Mrs. Brent. “Your young master has nothing to do with it. You ought to know that his name is Philip.”
“I should say so!” broke in Jonas. “I ain't goin' to be called out of my name!”