“I particularly gave you a message, Jane, when you were so anxious for me to return to the yacht on Harriet’s behalf. Did you forget it?”
“What message, sir?” asked Jane.
“I requested the young people—in fact, I did much more than request, I desired the young people not on any account to go into the water until my return.”
“O, sir—so you did!” said Jane.
“And you never gave the message?”
“No, sir,” said Jane, dropping her head.
“And why not, pray? It was very important.”
“I—I had a headache, sir.”
“You—in fact—forgot?”
“Yes, Mr Durrant, I—I forgot,” said Jane.